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Yoga gaining popularity among young Kashmiri girls
Sunday, 11 November, 2007
Srinagar, Nov 11 (ANI): In the last few years, yoga's popularity has taken off in the Kashmir Valley, thanks to a renewed fitness and health interest, particularly among youth.
This ancient form of exercise is fast becoming popular among young Kashmiri girls. This was quite evident when over 180 girls from several schools across the state participated in the first-ever two-day State Women Yoga Championship organised here on Saturday.
Participants, mostly between the age group of 10 and 15 years, competed by displaying their flexibility through performing yoga postures and exercises.
"There is many advantages of Yoga, whatever one wants to become (by practicing it) one can achieve it," said Fozia, a participant.
Miara Anjum, another participant, said, "Now, it has become a sport and is no longer just something practiced by seers and holy men for meditation. It gives us a peace of mind."
The winners in the two-day long championship organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Yoga Association will participate at the national level.
"If one follows therapeutic Yoga it can cure many diseases. It has a lot of benefits and if a child practices Yoga it can help in their studies," said Shabir Ahmed, coach cum organiser.
Yoga, the 5,000-year-old Indian discipline of exercise, diet and meditation involves a perfect blend of mental and physical exercises. (ANI) Labels: Kashmir, Society-Culture
PM reviews 15-point minorities welfare programme
Friday, 9 November, 2007
New Delhi, Nov 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday reviewed the progress made in various Central government programmes, including the 15-Point Programme for the welfare of minorities in the country.
The Prime Minister also reviewed the status of the follow-up action on the recommendation of the Sachar panel report.
Singh had, earlier, directed Principal Secretary T K A Nair, to hold a monthly review of the progress made in the implementation of the Prime Minister's new 15-Point Programme.
Today's meeting noted the 'encouraging results' in the trend of the representation of minorities in government, especially, in the para-military forces.
However, it was also pointed out that more efforts were required in the implementation of the programme in some specific areas.
"However, it was felt that the pace of implementation, especially, of decisions taken in the areas of education and extension of credit facilities needed to be stepped up," a release issued by the Prime Minister's Office stated.
Nair also gave specific suggestions for speeding up the pace of implementation and the need for producing tangible results quickly.
In particular, plans were finalized for development of a number of artisan clusters in Muslim dominated areas in an integrated and focused manner. (ANI) --MP Labels: Society-Culture
Gift packs of firecrackers are a big hit among Jaipur kids
Jaipur, Nov.8 (ANI): Realising customers' usual problem to select firecrackers out of a huge variety displayed at the local shops around Diwali, shopkeepers in Jaipur have introduced gift packs for convenience this year.
Available within a price range of rupees 150 to 1,000, the family packets available as gift packs contain 12 to 15 pieces of firecrackers in different variety suitable for individuals of all age groups and tastes.
"The biggest asset one has in this scheme is the factor of time and saving it. The customers save their time and since these gifts packs come directly from the company, it has all the gift items that attract children as well as adults," claims Nilesh Kumar, a shopkeeper.
These gift packs have proven a big hit and drawn a large number of parents and kids. Selecting firecrackers available in various brands and varieties has always been a headache for everyone. It also wastes besides sounding a big wastage of time on the busy days around Diwali.
"Since every home has children and when they are gifted something, they feel immensely happy. This way even the ritual of gifts is maintained and children become happy. We celebrate this festival mainly because of children. We all wish that our children should be happy," said Krishna Kumar, another customer.
"We are giving crackers as well as sweets. Diwali holds special excitement due to the fireworks. Moreover, sweets are a usual gift but crackers are burnt mainly on Diwali. It's of the best options," said Aditi, a customer. (ANI) --MP Labels: Society-Culture
Rain plays spoilsport in Goa's 'Narakasur killing' festival
Margao (Goa), Nov 8 (ANI): Rains played havoc in Goa's unique tradition of burning the effigies of demon Narakasur during Diwali with most of the competitions being cancelled today.
Goa, which normally remains sunny in this part of the year, experienced sudden showers on Thursday that led to the cancellation of many effigy-burning ceremonies.
At least forty clubs and associations took part in this year's competition and built huge effigies of Narakasur, as high as 40 feet.
However, there were few ceremonies that were able to burn their effigies.
According to Hindu mythology, powerful demon king Narkasur, also known as
Bhasmasur, harassed deities and had held sixteen thousand adolescent princesses captive in order to marry them.
It is believed that Lord Krishna, who came to know about the incident, killed the demon king with his Sudarshana Chakra and secured the release of the captive princesses on the day of the Diwali.
"We celebrate this Diwali for good reasons. I hope in future our youths will go for better ideas and develop our country," said Rupesh, a youth leader.
"I come here every year to see the Narakasur. The Narakasur is very big and the height goes on increasing every year," said a local resident of Margao.
About 20 to 25 people are required to lift the Narkasur (demon) effigy that is filled with grass, wastepaper and crackers.
The effigy of Narkasur is then taken out on the streets in the form of a procession and later symbolically killed and burnt. (ANI) --MP Labels: Goa, Society-Culture
Candles by the visually impaired a big hit at Diwali fair in Delhi
Wednesday, 7 November, 2007
AA: New Delhi, Nov. 6 (ANI): (By Mritunjay Singh) They may have difficulty in enjoying the upcoming festival of lights due to their visually-disability, but many of them in the Capital appear to have filled their all joy into the candles prepared by them for others who can see. Candles and other decorative items made by visually-impaired people are proving a major draw at an ongoing 10-day special fair that commenced here near the Old Fort ahead of Diwali this past week. Organised by the Blind Relief Organisation, the annual fair also captivates people for the fact that the exquisite decorative creations exhibited here are prepared by the people with visual disabilities. "The fair allows us to sell the products made by the visually-impaired as well as it provides an opportunity to come in close contact with the public. It enables us to show the latent potential of the visually challenged," said K. C. Pandey, executive secretary of the Blind Relief Association, Delhi. "It is a good opportunity and of course, besides, it is a good resource generation exercise for us," said Pandey. Besides the conventional colourful wax sticks, candles in various shapes and designs like Christmas trees, flowers, fruits and other figures are also on display. These handmade candles are inexpensive and at par in terms of quality and designs available in various Delhi markets. Candles and lamps, prepared by the visually-challenged over the year, are stored only to be sold at the special fair held around Diwali. While the tradition has been to decorate the house with earthen lamps with cotton wicks and oil, the designer lamps are fast becoming popular. Several visitors said such events provide encouragement to the hidden talents among the visually-impaired individuals. "It adds a special feeling when one thinks that these candles have been prepared by visually challenged people. And, when we will lit these candles, perhaps, it will also add joy to someone's life," Dilip, a customer. Thousands of candles are sold at the fair and the proceeds are used for the welfare of the visually impaired. According to Ramayana, the Hindu epic, millions of earthen lamps and candles were lit to mark the return of Lord Rama, his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and victory over demon King Ravana. (ANI) Labels: Society-Culture
PM flags of chariot procession to mark birth anniversary of Balmiki
Saturday, 27 October, 2007
MP: New Delhi, Oct 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today flagged off a chariot procession from his residence to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Balmiki (a Hindu scholar, saint and writer of Ramayana).
Addressing the members of Balmiki Society, Singh said that India should follow the teachings of Balmiki for prosperous future.
"I wish that from now onward we will follow the teachings of Balmiki and gain inspiration from his life to make India a prosperous and powerful nation," added Singh.
On this occasion, functions were organised by various groups and political parties across the nation. (ANI)
Labels: Society-Culture
Efforts on to convince SC about reservation in higher education: Arjun Singh
Friday, 26 October, 2007
MP: New Delhi, Oct 26 (ANI): Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singhhas today said that the government was making efforts to convince the Supreme Court about the need for reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in higher education.
Addressing a national conference on 'Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policies', Singh said: "Reservation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in higher education is very desirable. We should be able to convince the Supreme Court what India wants and the efforts in this regard have to be pursued with dedication".
Singh said that the conference was being held at an opportune time when the deliberations at the conference can help the policies to become inclusive, eventually giving a roadmap to further the commitment of removing discrimination in every sphere of life, including social and cultural, economic and the political as well as extreme case of violence.
He further said that policies formulated by our founding fathers of the Constitution to do away with the discrimination faced by marginalised sections of the population such as SCs, STs ,OBCs, women and religious minorities such as Muslims have yielded good results in social and educational development but advancement made here is still falling short of the expectations of that section of the society.
"There needs to be done a lot," said Singh.
The legislation to provide 27 percent reservation for OBCs in elite educational institutions, including IITs and IIMs, from the current academic session, was stayed by the apex court.
He also shared his experiences at a recently held UNESCO conference at Paris.
The time has come UNESCO should come forward with practical solutions and face the reality around the globe without any discrimination, said Singh.
The two-day conference has been organised by Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) in collaboration with Princeton University, USA.
This conference is of significant importance as it will address the most important problem being faced by vast section of population, namely SC, ST, OBC, religious minority like Muslim and women and currently being discussed in the academic and government circles.
This is the first conference of its kind which will discuss through presentation of papers the economic discrimination faced by discriminated groups in various market and non market transactions.
This will include employment market in rural and urban areas, occupation and business, various factors market, services, and also education and health.
Most of the papers are based on original research and will bring new insight on the theme of market and non market discrimination.
Based on the insights from the papers, the conference will also discuss policies to overcome the discrimination. (ANI) Labels: Society-Culture
Indian restaurants make Gordon Ramsay 'cringe'
MP: London, Oct 26 (ANI): The next time celeb chef Gordon Ramsey
visits a local Indian restaurant, he had better be careful, especially
after he slammed the standard of British curry houses. The outspoken chef said that he 'cringes' every time he goes into an
Indian restaurant in the UK and sees the menu. What really gets him mad, as it turns out, is the plastic menu, and
the 'of all-purpose curry bubbling away'. "I cringe when I go into an Indian restaurant and see a six foot long
menu with 180 dishes on it, encased in laminated plastic so that it
can be wiped clean of dribble," the Daily Express quoted him, as
saying. "What it means is that they've got a massive vat of all-purpose curry
bubbling away, into which they drop a bit of powder at the last moment
to create the sauce flavour ordered." Gordon is currently one of only three chefs in the UK whose restaurant
is rated at three Michelin stars, the most recognized and influential
culinary ratings in western Europe. (ANI) Labels: Society-Culture
German hair stylists get a taste of India in Goa
MP: Panjim, Oct.25 (ANI): Two hundred and forty Germans, who are in
India to have a look at Indian culture, saw how an Indian wedding
takes place. A mock wedding was held for them, who are interested
particularly in hair styles. Natasha Naegamvala, who conceptualised the visit of the Germans, felt
that the best way to give them an exposure to Indian culture,
including different kinds of hairstyles, was to arrange for the mock
wedding. They were also shown a Bollywood movie which featured a wedding. "I was told me that they wanted to watch an Indian wedding as shown in
a Bollywood movie. In addition to the actual marriage, they were also
shown a movie," said Natasha Naegamvala, hair designer from Mumbai. "I put up the things in a way so that they can learn as well as enjoy
the Indian culture and tradition. The Germans were fantastic and their
response was also great . The guests said that they saw more than
what they expected" said Natasha Naegamvala, hair designer from
Mumbai. The entire set up for the mock marriage was given a traditional look.
The guests were offered drinks and Goan food on the wedding ceremony. Cornelia, one of the German guests, said that she liked the whole
concept and really enjoyed the party which gave her a chance to relish
Indian culture to the fullest. "It was so beautiful and the style of the people in India is really
great. The people over here are so relaxed and they are very
friendly," said Cornelia. Udo Brand, another German, said that they learnt about the Indian
culture and traditional wedding style. "The party was amazing and we have learnt about the Indian culture and
tradition. It was so impressive and we really enjoyed it," said Udo
Brand, another German. During the wedding ceremony, the German nationals were attired in
Indian clothes like Kurta-Pyjama and Pagri (turban). The ladies wore
sarees. (ANI) Labels: Society-Culture
Arjun Singh to open Conference on ‘Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy’
Thursday, 25 October, 2007
MP: New Delhi, Oct 25 (ANI): Union Minister of Human Resource
Development, Arjun Singh, will inaugurate a Conference on 'Social
Exclusion and Inclusive Policy' tomorrow. Prof. B.L. Mungekar, member of the Planning Commission, will be the
Guest of Honour. The two-day conference is being organised by the Indian Institute of
Dalit Studies, Delhi. This conference is being jointly sponsored by
Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, Delhi and Princeton University,
Princeton (USA). The main focus of this conference is to discuss the issue of social
exclusion and discrimination faced by marginalized sections of the
population such as SC, ST, OBC and religious minorities like Muslims
and similar groups. This is the first conference of its kind which will discuss through
presentation of papers the economic discrimination faced by
discriminated groups in various market and non market transactions. This will include employment market in rural and urban areas,
occupation and business, various factors market, services, and also
education and health. Most of the papers are based on original research and will bring new
insight on the theme of market and non market discrimination. In case of labour market discrimination, the conference will discuss
the four studies conducted jointly by Indian Institute of Dalit
Studies and Princeton University, USA. The studies have been published
by Economic and Political Weekly in the form of a special issue. It will also discuss the discrimination in labour market and
occupation in rural areas of Haryana, Orrisa, and Gujarat. Besides, the conference will also discuss the discriminatory
experiences of Dalits in educational institutions and in seeking
health services in primary health centre and private doctors. It will discuss for the first time the inequality in ownership of
private enterprise by lower caste and higher castes. Some papers will
discuss the discrimination faced by religious groups such as Muslims
in economic spheres. This conference is of significant importance as it will address the
most important problem being faced by vast section of population,
namely SC, ST, OBC, religious minority like Muslim and women and
currently being discussed in the academic and government circles. Based on the insights from the papers, the conference will also
discuss policies to overcome the discrimination. The discussion will centre on the various aspects of inclusive policy
in the spheres of employment, education, health, business and other
spheres both in public and private sector. The participants from various parts of the country will attend the
conference. Besides, there are participants from Northern Ireland and
USA. (ANI) Labels: Society-Culture
Supreme Court makes marriage registration compulsory for all religions
MP: New Delhi, Oct 25 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that
all marriages, irrespective of their religion, be compulsorily
registered. A Bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat also directed all states and
union territories to bring in suitable legislation for this within
three months. The apex court also asked the states and union territories to file a
compliance report and an affidavit after the three months deadline. The order was passed after the apex court observed that several states
had made registration of marriage compulsory for Hindus only. (ANI) Labels: Society-Culture
Success in tackling poverty would determine India's place in world: Ansari
MP: New Delhi, Oct 24 (ANI): Vice President Hamid Ansari today said that India's success in addressing the challenges of poverty would determine the country's place in the world. Observing that India's achievements in many fields, and successes on the economic front, are substantial, he said: "Yet there are other realities of dehumanising poverty, of perpetual struggles for survival, of painful contrasts." "These other realities need to be understood in their totality since they cover three-fourth of our population and put in perspective the macro-economic growth aggregates," he said. "In the final analysis, our success in addressing these challenges would determine our place in the world," he added. Ansari said this while inaugurating the "First Briefing Programme of Indian Origin Parliamentarians" organised by the Public Diplomacy Division of External Affairs Ministry here. Over the next few days the delegates would be briefed in detail on India's interests in regional and global issues. "The critical question relates to our capacity to influence the debate in terms of India's legitimate concerns. This would depend on our intrinsic strength," he said. (ANI) Labels: Society-Culture
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