Tag: Diwali Festival

Nepal Festival Worships Canines

A Day Of The Dogs- Nepal Festival Worships Canines

By LokMarg

Considered man’s best friend, dogs have a special place in Nepal where every dog has his, or you could say her, day. Literally!

On the second day of the five-day festival of Tihar that began earlier this week, people in the Himalayan country gathered to worship their four-legged friends.

During Kukur Tihar, people offer prayers and honor dogs, not just pets but also strays. The canines are garlanded, tikkas applied on their foreheads, and plentiful food is offered to them.

Everywhere in Nepal, the Kukur Tihar festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm, with small children pampering the dogs and feeding them plenty of food items like milk, eggs, etc.

This year, Kukur Tihar was on October 24, and just like every year, people in Nepal celebrated the festival with zeal.

Not only locals, but tourists from around the globe also participated in the festivities.

For Hindus, the celebration of Kukur Tihar is tied to a belief that dogs are the messengers of Yamaraj, the god of death and during these days people worship man’s most loyal friend to appease Yamaraj.

Dogs are even treated as family members in many households and the bond between humans and dogs can’t be described in words but can only be felt if you have them as companions.

Honoring the role played by the dogs in Nepal on the Second day of Yama Panchak or Tihar the pet and the stray dogs are worshipped early in the morning for the devotion and sincerity they have shown.

Tihar is also known as Deepavali, the festival of light in other parts of the world. During this people observe rituals, decorate their homes with diyas, rangoli, ornaments, and lights, enjoy delectable sweets and meals, dress in new traditional attire, and offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi the goddess of wealth and Lord Ganesha to guide them towards the right path and to give the courage to conquer all fears. (ANI)

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Delhi AQI

New Delhi: Air quality Remains Very Poor, Overall AQI Of 323

By LokMarg

On Diwali evening, the air quality in Delhi remained in the “very poor” category with the overall air quality index (AQI) at 323.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in the overall Delhi region was in the ‘very poor category at 323.
However, in the Delhi University and airport area, the AQI remained in the ‘very poor category at 365 and 354. At Mathura Road, the AQI was in the ‘very poor category at 322. While at Gurugram, the AQI remained in the ‘poor’ category at 342.

In a bid to reduce vehicular pollution, the Delhi government also announced the ‘Red Light On Gaadi Off’ campaign.

Under the campaign, public representatives and officials will motivate commuters to turn their vehicles off at red lights to curb vehicular pollution.

The air quality in the national capital is also affected because of stubble burning in surrounding Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan in the winter. (ANI)

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PM In Kargil For Diwali, Says Female Officers Will Add To Army Power

By LokMarg

Highlighting the reforms in armed forces by the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the induction of women officers will boost the country’s strength.

Prime Minister landed in Kargil on Monday to celebrate Diwali with soldiers. “For me, all of you have been my family for years now. It is a privilege to spend Diwali with our brave jawans in Kargil,” Prime Minister Modi said.

“Over the last eight years, we have laid emphasis on implementing reforms in the armed forces. We have open positions in the forces for women. Women’s power will strengthen our armed forces. The induction of women officers under ‘permanent commission’ will result in the growth of our power,” he said.

PM said the armed forces are the pillar of the country’s safety and security. “A nation is safe when the border is secure, the economy is strong and the society is full of confidence. India wishes this festival of lights paves way for global peace,”

He said it is because the armed forces are protecting borders that every citizen in India sleeps peacefully.

“From this victorious land of Kargil, I wish the countrymen and the world a very happy Diwali. There has not been a single war with Pakistan where Kargil has not hoisted the flag of victory. Diwali means ‘festival of end of terror’ and Kargil made it possible. Our Army in Kargil crushed the fountainhead of terror and people till date remember the Diwali of victory the country celebrated,” Prime Minister said.

He said while the jawans are protecting the borders, every citizen in the country is working towards strengthening the nation.

“Just like all of you are protecting us at the borders, we are working within the country to fight evils like terrorism, Naxalism, corruption. ‘Naxawad’ had taken a huge part of the nation in its grasp, but today that stretch is rapidly decreasing,” PM Modi said.

During the Ukraine war, he said. The Tricolour became a shield for Indian stranded there. “India’s respect has increased across the world. It is happening because India is standing successfully against its internal and external enemies,” he added.

Prime Minister said the Centre is developing hi-tech infrastructure in the border areas with seamless connectivity.

He said in the age of technology armed forces are ready, with new training, new reforms and new technology

“I commend all the three armed forces who have decided that over 400 types of defence equipment will not be imported but rather be built in India. When our jawans fight with made-in-India weapons, they will not only feel proud but also have an element of surprise to defeat the enemy,” he said.

PM Modi said when India’s strength rises, it is beneficial for global peace and prosperity. (ANI)

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RSS Leader in Nizamuddin Dargah

RSS Leader Indresh Visits Nizamuddin Dargah, Recalls Brotherhood

By LokMarg

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) National Executive member and Muslim Rashtriya Manch patron Indresh Kumar on Saturday paid a visit to Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, New Delhi, and lights earthen lamps inside the premises of the shrine, ahead of Diwali.

The RSS’ Muslim wing, Muslim Rashtriya Manch called for peace and prosperity in the country.
The move of Muslim Rashtriya Manch patron and senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar lighting ‘earthen lamps’ inside the Nizamuddin Dargah complex, marks a message of peace, prosperity, and communal harmony.

RSS leader Indresh Kumar reached Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi yesterday. He also offered flowers and chadar at the dargah of Sufi saints.

“The festival of Diwali is celebrated in the world including India. It brings happiness and prosperity to every household. This festival erases all the religious differences and the differences between the provinces. India is a land of pilgrimages, festivals, and fairs. All of them give bread to the poor and increase brotherhood among themselves. He said that every festival teaches us that we do not want bigotry, malice, hatred, riots, or war. We want peace, harmony, and brotherhood,” Indresh Kumar said.

“No one should be forced to convert and do violence. Everyone should follow their own religion and caste. Do not criticize and insult other’s religions. When all religions are respected in the country, then the country will be free from the fundamentalists who make stone pelting on Friday. India is the only country that respects and accepts all religions,” he added.

Earlier, in September Indresh Kumar accompanied RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat to meet the Chief Imam of All India Imam Organisation Dr. Umer Ahmed Ilyasi. RSS chief also visited a Masjid and Madarsa in the national capital earlier that day. (ANI)

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Delhi Wakes Up To ‘Poor’ Air Quality, Smog On Diwali Eve

By LokMarg

A day before Diwali, the Delhiites woke up under a blanket of smoggy sky as the air quality remained in the “poor” category with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 266.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the AQI index in the overall Delhi region was in the ‘poor’ category at 266, ‘very poor’ category in the Delhi University area at 329, ‘poor’ quality in Mathura Road and Lodhi Road at 293 and 218 respectively on Sunday morning.

The levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were recorded at 110 in the ‘poor’ and 237 in the ‘moderate’ category respectively.

Meanwhile, Noida’s overall air quality also stood in the ‘very poor’ category with the AQI at 311. However, the air quality in Gurugram stood in the ‘moderate’ category with an AQI of 139.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe.

SAFAR also advised the sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion and to take more breaks and do less intense activities.

“Asthmatics, keep medicine ready if symptoms of coughing or shortness of breath occur. Heart patients, see a doctor if get palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue,” it said in its advisory.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has banned the production, storage, sale, and bursting of crackers this year as well as fines and jail terms in case of violation.

In a bid to reduce vehicular pollution, the Delhi Government also announced the ‘Red Light On Gaadi Off’ campaign.

Under the campaign, public representatives and officials will motivate commuters to turn their vehicles off at red lights in a bid to curb vehicular pollution.

The air quality in the national capital is also affected because of stubble burning in surrounding Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan in the winter.

As Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) continue to breathe toxic air, the Chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute Dr. Ashok Seth said that the pollution not only damages the lungs but it also affects our hearts.

“While pollution has only been linked to lung problems as asthma gets worsens, people often ignored the proven fact that air pollution leads to increased heart damage and we should not ignore this.”

“In fact, as we have been seeing the increase in heart disease in young people in the last few years, I believe that it is caused by air pollution that has got worse over the last 20 years as well as their lifestyles. For the last 20 years, this has been recognized by all authoritative scientific bodies of cardiology,” Dr. Seth said.

Dr. Seth explained how air pollution causes inflammation in the arteries of the heart and damages the heart. (ANI)

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Katrina Stuns In Red Sharara Saree

By LokMarg

Actor Katrina Kaif who is the glamour queen of the industry nailed the ethnic look in a red sharara saree.

The ‘Phone Bhoot’ actor dropped a series of pictures on her Instagram handle where she looked resplendent in a red sharara saree. She accessorized with a pair of traditional earrings and completed her look with minimal makeup and a black bindi.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj7ZBhqPhZo/

She attended a star-studded Diwali party in Mumbai on Wednesday with her husband Vicky Kaushal. The star couple is celebrating their first Diwali party with Vicky post the wedding.

Soon after the ‘Race’ actor shared the pictures, netizens swamped the comment section and dropped fire and heart emoticons.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Katrina Kaif is all set for the release of ‘Phone Bhoot’. The horror comedy, co-starring Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi is slated to release on November 4.

Apart from this, Katrina will also be seen in an upcoming action thriller film ‘Tiger 3’ alongside Salman Khan and in director Sriram Raghavan’s next ‘Merry Christmas’ opposite south actor Vijay Sethupathi. She also has been signed by Excel Entertainment to star in ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ co-starring Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra. (ANI)

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Firecracker Traders

Ban On Crackers With Jail Provision: Delhi Govt

By LokMarg

Delhi Environment Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that the Delhi government has banned the production, storage, sale, and bursting of crackers this year as well with fines and jail terms in case of violation.

While addressing a press conference, Rai said “This year as well, there is a ban on production, sale, storage, and bursting of crackers.”
“Sale or storage of firecrackers in Delhi can be punished with a fine of Rs 5,000 and/or imprisonment for three years,” he said.

The minister further said that strict action will be taken against those bursting crackers before Diwali.

“Strict action will be taken against those who burst crackers till Diwali. Under section 268 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), there is a provision of a fine of Rs 200 and/or jail for 6 months against those who burst crackers,” he further said. (ANI)

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First Non-Gandhi Prez

Cong To Get First Non-Gandhi Prez In 24 Yrs, Counting Began At 10 am

By LokMarg

The Congress is set to get a new president on Wednesday with the counting to take place from 10 am.

Former Union Ministers Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor are in the fray and it will be for the first time in 24 years that the party will get a party chief who does not belong to the Nehru-Gandhi family.
The new president will take the place of Sonia Gandhi who had been serving as interim president after Rahul Gandhi stepped down from the post following the party’s debacle in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The result is likely to be declared between 3 pm to 4 pm. The ballot boxes from the state headquarters have reached the counting place in the Congress office.

Mallikarjun Kharge is seen as the favorite to win the contest. Five agents from each side will oversee the counting while two agents from both sides will be kept in reserve, sources said.

The Chairman of the Central Election Authority will announce the result after counting. More than 9,500 delegates cast their votes in the presidential election which took place at the culmination of the party’s organizational polls.

Sources said seven-eight tables will be set up for counting of votes and each table will have two persons.

Congress sources said the elected president will take charge after Diwali in the presence of senior leaders in a program at the Congress headquarters.

It has not been decided whether the certificate will be given to the winner on Wednesday or later.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was earlier the frontrunner for the post, will be in Delhi tomorrow. Rahul Gandhi will continue on the Bharat Jodo Yatra. (ANI)

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Coca-Cola Launches First Bluetooth-Enabled Locked Bottle

By LokMarg

Coca-Cola India has rolled out a technological product innovation – a locked Coke, which is a limited edition bottle of the beverage for the festive season. The ‘locked’ bottle is fitted with a special Bluetooth-enabled cap, that is programmed to open only in the presence of the sender’s mobile phone. The concept is in line with Coke’s recent #MilkeHiManegiDiwali campaign, which encourages consumers to meet and celebrate this Diwali in person.

This is a first-of-its-kind product innovation by Coke in India. The bottle can be ordered via a
microsite
by filling in the gift recipient’s residential address and a customized festive wish or message. The recipients will then receive the customized bottle via delivery, which will be pre-programmed to detect the presence of the sender’s mobile phone in order for it to be unlocked. This unique bottle acts as a symbolic reminder of a promise made to meet in person.

Kaushik Prasad, the Director, of Marketing, brand Coca-Cola, said, “We at Coca-Cola are exhilarated to unveil a first-of-its-kind product innovation to our consumers. Digital enablement and product innovation are key pillars of growth for us at Coca-Cola, and our new ‘locked’ bottle perfectly aligns with this strategy. The unique limited-edition gift bottle (that is available in India) is sure to inspire social connections, as people come together to meet, greet, connect, and share a (locked) Coke this Diwali.”

The innovation will be brought alive by a 360-degree campaign, including a series of digital films, partnerships with popular influencers, and a TVC film that has been conceptualized by creative partner Ogilvy. Watch the TVC here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MVrlpqK8Ss

Sukesh Nayak, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy India, added, “This is an invitation that I hope no one declines. We hope this beautiful merger of tech with humanity that has created the most inviting Diwali invitations, sees people make the effort to go and visit the person inviting them, open the locked bottle of Coke, and enjoy it together.”

The limited edition Coke bottle is now available to order and gift for free via the dedicated microsite, which can be accessed through mobile phones.

Over the past two years, amidst the pandemic, the festive season has been missing the spark of physical connections, as consumers resorted to ‘virtual wishes’. This Diwali, Coca-Cola seeks to evoke a feeling of togetherness among people and bring back the real magic of celebrating festivities in-person with loved ones.

Watch the magic come alive here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ZB6OsBaQ

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)

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Delhi Festival Season After 2-year Gap

Delhi: Sales See Rise In Festival Season After 2-year Gap

By LokMarg

With the festive season inching closer and COVID restrictions in abeyance, sales saw a rise as markets in the national capital opened fully after a gap of two years due to the pandemic.

A crowd of people can be seen on the streets of the national capital, especially in markets for shopping for the upcoming festive season which includes festivals like Diwali. Dussehra was celebrated recently.

Chandni Chowk in Delhi is once again a witness to shopkeepers opening their shops without any restrictions and the customers thronging their shops in large numbers to get new clothes.

Expressing their ecstasy over the full-fledged business after a long time, the shopkeepers said that their sales have been boosted by nearly 200 percent compared to during the pandemic.

Speaking to ANI, a local shopkeeper said, “Business is going well with festivals around. Rush increased, sales boosted by almost 200 percent as compared to the pandemic.”

Some of the shopkeepers and wholesalers said that their business is doing well with the regular arrival of customers these days at the shop.

“During the festive season, our business ran very well. Our business was boosted by 200 percent from the pandemic. All going well nowadays. Customers come regularly but a few of them only do bargaining and go. We don’t know the reason. Despite all of that, our sales increased after the pandemic because the number of buyers in the market has increased,” said a shopkeeper.

A customer from Jabalpur said that she was happy with the reopening of markets and had come all the way to Delhi for shopping.

“I heard about Chandi Chowk and today I saw the reason why. I purchased a Lehenga here. The quality is very good. The same quality and brand, if I had purchased from some other place, it would cost nearly Rs 2 lakh, but we purchased it here for only Rs 30,000,” she said.

Another first-time visitor who came from West Bengal’s Murshidabad said that the items are cheap in the market and their quality is satisfactory. (ANI)

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