Lohri is a popular festival celebrated primarily in the northern regions of India, particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. It is celebrated on the 13th of January every year, which marks the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
The festival is celebrated to mark the end of the winter season and the arrival of spring. It also marks the end of the Rabi crop season, and farmers celebrate the completion of their harvest by lighting bonfires and offering prayers for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.
On the night of Lohri, people gather around a bonfire and throw sweets, puffed rice and popcorn into the fire while singing and dancing. The fire is considered sacred and is believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
Lohri is also celebrated as the festival of fertility and is associated with the Punjabi folk deity, Dulla Bhatti, who is considered the patron saint of the downtrodden and the oppressed.
In addition to the bonfire, traditional Lohri food items such as sesame sweets, peanuts, jaggery and popcorn are distributed among friends and family. Children also go around the neighborhood singing Lohri songs and receiving sweets and money in return.
Lohri is not only celebrated by the Punjabi community but also by many other communities in northern India and is considered as a festival of unity and brotherhood.
9-Jan-2022: PM inaugurates 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The Prime Minister released a commemorative postal stamp ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ and also inaugurated the first-ever digital PBD Exhibition on the theme ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle’.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Government of India that provides an important platform to engage and connect with overseas Indians and enable the diaspora to interact with each other. The theme of this PBD Convention is ‘Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal’. Over 3,500 diaspora members from nearly 70 different countries have registered for the PBD Convention.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is taking place in all its glory after a gap of four years and highlighted the significance and joy of personal interaction. Welcoming everyone on the occasion on behalf of 130 crore Indians, the Prime Minister said that the event is taking place on the land of Madhya Pradesh which is known as the heart of India and famous for the holy waters of Narmada, the greenery, the tribal culture and spirituality. The Prime Minister mentioned the recently dedicated Maha Kaal Maha Lok and hoped that dignitaries and delegates will be able to visit the sacred place. Talking about the host city, Indore, the Prime Minister said Indore is a city as well as a phase, “It is a phase that walks ahead of time while preserving its heritage.”, He also mentioned the culinary fame of Indore and its achievement in the Swachhata movement.
7-Jan-2023: Vice President inaugurates NCC Republic Day Camp
The Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar formally inaugurated the NCC Republic Day Camp 2023 in New Delhi on 7 January 2023. On the occasion, a contingent of NCC cadets drawn from all the three wings namely Army, Navy and Air Force, presented a guard of honour to the Vice President. The Vice President also inspected the Parade.
Addressing the Cadets, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar lauded the contribution of the NCC to nation building by inculcating character, comradeship and the spirit of selfless service among our young students. The NCC, over the years, has created a truly vibrant and diverse cadre of motivated & disciplined youth who are doing excellent work in all walks of life, he added.
The Vice President said, for the NCC, the world’s largest youth organisation and particularly for cadets performing in Amritkal at Kartavya Path will be a moment to ever cherish.
Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar also visited the “Hall of Fame”, which has been recently renovated and Flag Area where he listened to the young cadets briefing about their respective states and appreciated the various social themes displayed in the Flag Areas prepared by them.
The Vice President was given the NCC Alumni Association membership by DG NCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh on the occasion.
The 74th National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day Camp (RDC) 2023 commenced at Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantt on January 02, 2023. A total of 2,155 cadets including 710 girls from all 28 States and 8 Union Territories are participating in the one month long Camp.
The Camp will also see participation of cadets and officers from 19 friendly countries as part of the youth exchange programme.
The Cadets attending the camp will participate in a number of activities like Cultural Competitions, National Integration Awareness Programmes and various Institutional Training Competitions. Two NCC marching contingents will participate in the Republic Day Parade on 26 Jan 2023. This myriad and demanding set of activities would culminate with the PM’s Rally on the evening of 28 Jan 2023.