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.
The streets of Patna, Bihar have been filled with chaos and tension as aspiring candidates for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) staged protests and attempted to gherao the BPSC office. With allegations of irregularities in the BPSC exams, the aspirants are demanding the cancellation and re-examination of the exam. The situation escalated when the protesting students were met with force by the police, leading to a standoff between the two groups.
A viral post claims that Udhayanidhi Stalin mocked Hinduism and proclaimed himself as a proud Christian. However, our investigation revealed that the video was edited to misrepresent Stalin's remarks. In his full speech, Stalin also identified as a Muslim and a Hindu, promoting religious equality and unity. Reports and the original footage of the speech further prove that the viral video was misleading.
A delegation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including prominent Ministers and MLAs, visited the Khanauri border to meet Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike for farmers' rights. Concerned about his deteriorating health, they urged him to seek medical treatment. The party also criticized the Central government for failing to fulfill its promises to the farmers and offered their support in the ongoing struggle.
Aspirants of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) have been protesting for eight days now, demanding a re-examination of the 70th BPSC exam. Independent MP Pappu Yadav has joined the protest and appealed to opposition MPs and MLAs to show their support. YouTuber and educator Faisal Khan, known as Khan Sir, has also joined the protest and urged the BPSC to consider the plight of the students. The BPSC aspirants have previously met Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal and have also protested against changes in the exam pattern and the normalisation process.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu wished Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the global Jewish community a happy Hanukkah, a festival that celebrates hope and freedom. In his message posted on X in English and Hebrew, PM Modi expressed his hope that the radiance of Hanukkah would bring peace, strength, and hope to everyone's lives. President Murmu also extended her warmest greetings to Israel President Isaac Herzog on this auspicious occasion.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has accused the BJP of planning to declare Parvesh Verma as its chief ministerial face for the upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections. This comes amid a heated political battle between AAP and BJP, with Kejriwal claiming that the BJP is upset with the successful schemes launched by his party and is resorting to distributing money to sway voters. The authenticity of these claims has been debated, with Kejriwal challenging Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj to resign if these accusations are found to be false.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Madhya Pradesh to extend his greetings to CM Mohan Yadav on the completion of one year in office. Dhami, along with Yadav, inaugurated the renovated Lakha Banjara Lake and laid the foundation stone for various public welfare projects in the Bundelkhand region. Dhami praised the progress of the region under Yadav's leadership and also mentioned the upcoming visit of PM Narendra Modi to lay the foundation of the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project.
Government leaders from across the country came together in Delhi at a special ceremony to pay their respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary. CM Chandrababu Naidu praised Vajpayee's leadership and his significant contributions to India's development, stating that his vision and ideas will always be remembered. Vajpayee, who passed away in 2018, was known for his leadership and important role in shaping India's future.
On the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the late political leader for his remarkable contributions to India's progress and transformation. PM Modi highlighted Vajpayee's achievements, including the Golden Quadrilateral project, nuclear tests, and his dedication to strengthening democracy and the Constitution. He also recalled the challenges India faced before Vajpayee took office in 1998, emphasizing the significant impact of his leadership on the country.
In 2024, India will observe Sushasan Diwas or Good Governance Day, which celebrates the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This day aims to raise awareness about government accountability and administration while promoting good governance practices among Indian civil servants. As a poet-politician, Vajpayee's contributions during his tenure saw the implementation of initiatives like Kisan Credit Card, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. This year, the theme for the celebrations is "India's Path to a Viksit Bharat: Empowering Citizens through Good Governance and Digitalisation," highlighting the importance of active participation from both the public and government for a better India.