On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends his warm greetings and good wishes to all citizens of India. He prays for the well-being of the people and hopes that the festival of lights brings joy and prosperity to all. Let us all celebrate with unity and spread the message of hope, love, and compassion.
Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Diwali, the grand festival of lights, holds deep cultural significance for Hindus around the world. It is a five-day celebration that marks the triumph of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after 14 years of exile.
Significance of Diwali
Diwali symbolizes the victory of righteousness over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. The festival represents the triumph of Lord Rama, the avatar of Lord Vishnu, over the demon king Ravana. Rama's victory is celebrated with the lighting of diyas (earthen lamps) to dispel darkness and symbolize the victory of light.
Traditions and Celebrations
Diwali celebrations typically begin with Dhanteras, where people purchase gold and silver to bring prosperity. Lakshmi Puja, the worship of the goddess of wealth, is performed on the main day of the festival. Houses are decorated with lights, rangolis (colorful floor designs), and diyas. Fireworks and sweets are also a significant part of Diwali celebrations.
Prime Minister's Diwali Greetings
On Diwali 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes to the citizens of India. He prayed for their well-being and hoped that the festival brought joy and prosperity. Modi emphasized the importance of unity and spreading the message of hope, love, and compassion.
FAQs
1. When is Diwali celebrated? Diwali is typically celebrated in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar.
2. What is the significance of lighting diyas on Diwali? Lighting diyas symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and represents the triumph of good over evil.
3. What is the origin of Diwali? The origins of Diwali can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
4. How is Diwali celebrated in other countries? Diwali is widely celebrated in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other countries with significant Hindu populations.
5. What are some popular Diwali sweets? Popular Diwali sweets include laddu, gulab jamun, rasgulla, and kaju katli.
Eluru MP Putta Mahesh Kumar has urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take action on several railway-related issues in the Eluru parliamentary constituency. These include the sanctioning of a new 96 km railway line connecting Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, modernization of Nuzvid railway station, and approval of a broad-gauge line via Sathupalli to connect Bhadrachalam and Kovvur. The MP highlighted the economic benefits of these projects, calling for their inclusion in the Union Budget 2025 and addressing rising construction costs due to delays. Additionally, he proposed halts for several express and passenger trains at various stations in the constituency to facilitate easy travel for pilgrims and boost the local economy.
The Indian government is pushing for simultaneous national and state elections by proposing two new articles, which could be put into effect as early as 2034. This timeline allows for proper planning and execution by the Election Commission, which would require up to three years to make necessary arrangements. However, according to EC sources, even this timeline may be cutting it too close. The proposed amendments also exclude any immediate plans for simultaneous local body elections, which would require further ratification and logistical considerations.
In a major waste of taxpayer money, 400 Mahindra Bolero SUVs purchased for Chhattisgarh's emergency Dial-112 service are lying unused on the campus of the third battalion of the state's security force. With several instances of inadequate disaster response being reported, these vehicles remain unused while people suffer due to a lack of resources. The issue has sparked questions from the Deputy Chief Minister, with the need for a new tender and costly maintenance delaying their potential use for at least 5-6 months.
Candlelight marches were held nationwide following the death of 34-year-old Atul Subhash, a software engineer who died by suicide due to alleged harassment from his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family. The case has prompted outrage and discussions about mental health and domestic abuse, with an FIR currently filed against Nikita and her relatives for abetment of suicide. Eyewitness accounts suggest that during court proceedings, Atul faced derisive remarks from a judge, which he cited as emotionally damaging. This tragedy highlights the urgent need for reform in how domestic disputes are managed within our legal system.
In a recent announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the positive effect of the Jal Jeevan Mission on empowering women in rural India. This mission, launched in 2019, aims to provide functional tap water connections to every household in rural areas. With access to clean water at their doorstep, women can now focus on skill development and achieving self-reliance, instead of spending long hours fetching water. The PM believes that this initiative is greatly aiding in the advancement of women’s empowerment in the country.
In a move that could transform the country's electoral process, the Union Cabinet has given its approval to the 'One Nation, One Election' legislation, which aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill, which is expected to be introduced in the ongoing winter session of Parliament, has been met with pushback from the Opposition, with many parties expressing concerns about its potential impact on regional parties. However, the government remains determined to move forward with its core ideological agenda, and will also launch a public campaign to garner support for the legislation. The success of this initiative will ultimately depend on the government's ability to address concerns and build consensus among all political stakeholders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be heading the Union Cabinet meeting to discuss the implementation of the One Nation One Election plan, the approval of PAN 2.0, and three railway projects to improve connectivity and efficiency. The heavy rains in Tamil Nadu and the ongoing opposition in the Assembly may also be on the agenda for discussion during the meeting.
The tension between Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar seems to have diffused as both of them visited Delhi for their respective meetings. There have been reports of differences over the power-sharing agreement between the ruling alliance in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Pawar has hinted at a probable Cabinet expansion on Sunday, which would be the first time he and his uncle Sharad Pawar will be meeting publicly in months. The two leaders were estranged after Ajit Pawar joined hands with the Shinde-Fadnavis government in July last year.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party National convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, fulfilled his poll promise by announcing a Rs 2100 honorarium for all women in the city. This move is aimed at addressing concerns about the sufficiency of the previous amount of Rs 1000 in light of rising inflation. The announcement, made in a press conference, received praise from party leaders including Chief Minister Atishi and senior leader Manish Sisodia, who stated that the AAP's focus remains on the welfare of the common man.
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