A closer look at her Indian wardrobe shows how the 28-year-old likes to keep it elegant and fuss-free on most occasions…reports Nimerta C Sharan
Given that things have finally opened up post-pandemic, a series of Diwali celebrations were witnessed this year. We spotted Bollywood celebrities leaving no stone unturned with their festive looks. From lavish lehengas to stunning saris, there were a variety of sparkling outfits on display. Take a look!
Priyanka Chopra
Our very own desi’ girl was spotted in a bright velvet sharara set from Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Statement sunglasses, chunky jewellery and a bucket bag from the designer completed the look. When it comes to head-turning fashion, Chopra leads the list with her quirky fashion choices.
Malaika Arora
Whether it’s a casual lunch date or a red-carpet appearance, Malaika Arora never disappoints. For one of the Diwali parties, she was spotted in a rose-red Manish Malhotra sari finished with a lime-green border. Keeping it entirely ethnic, the 48-year-old opted for matching bangles, a Polki necklace and a floral bun.
Alia Bhatt
The young and vibrant Alia Bhatt stepped out in a striking purple Sabyasachi lehenga. She accessorised her outfit with just gold jhumkas, letting the outfit do its magic. A closer look at her Indian wardrobe shows how the 28-year-old likes to keep it elegant and fuss-free on most occasions.
Jacqueline Fernandez
From power suits to playful separates, tailored gowns to flowy lehengas, there’s nothing that she can’t pull off. This year, for one of the festivities, Fernandez picked a beautiful Benarasi sari from Ekaya. The all-red ensemble made for a striking choice, with the OTT floral bun being the highlight.
Janhvi Kapoor
A quick glimpse at Kapoor’s Instagram feed shows the young star’s love for Indian wear. While lehengas and saris are mostly her go-to ensembles, this time the actress opted for a heavily embellished Anamika Khanna anarkali. The styling and make-up did full justice to her look.
Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja chose an ivory-hued chikankari’ anarkali from Abu Jani-Sandeep Kosla. The style icon kept her make-up minimal and opted for a pair of danglers to accessorise the look.
Pulkit Samrat
For Diwali, actor Pulkit Samrat was seen in a cherry kurta set. He paired his dual-toned printed kurta with a mirror-work jacket and tassel shoes. Simple yet striking.
Naan Khatai is popular tea time cookie. It is easily available in most bakery shops in India. These yummy biscuits are my mother’s all-time favorite & it makes her quite nostalgic. My grandfather made sure he brought some fresh & crispy Naan Kathai every time he visited Bombay back in those days. Wrapped in butter paper, these shortbreads were a big hit amongst them as children. During those days’ ovens were a rare, huge tray of these melt in the mouth biscuits would be baked in the local bakery.
My kids love these biscuits too & I make sure these are always available at home during tea time. I make them in bulk and store in an airtight container to enjoy them for later.
I have made these Naan Khatai’s in a simple way by mixing all the dry ingredients and combining it with ghee. Then gently bringing the whole mixture into a dough. Roll in to balls and flatten them. Bake the cookies until their edges are golden in colour.
Now let me share with you my simple & easy version of Naan Katai
INGREDIENTS
All-purpose flour (Maida)-11/2 cup
Gram flour(besan)-1/2 cup
Powdered sugar- 3/4th to 1cup
Baking powder-1tsp
Baking soda-1/4tsp
Cardamom powder-1tsp
Nutmeg powder-1/2 tsp
Almonds (chopped)-3/4 cup
Ghee-3/4th to 1 cup
METHOD
Dry roast the chopped almond in 1/4th tsp of ghee for 2 minutes and keep it aside. This gives crunchiness to the Naan Khatai.
Add Maida, gram flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder in a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients with a whisk or sieve it once.
Now add ghee to the mixture in small quantity and bring the mixture into a smooth dough. If the mixture is dry or crumbly you need to add a tsp of ghee to the dough to make it smooth.
Lastly add the roasted almonds a mix the dough.
Pinch medium size balls from the dough. Roll them and flatten it.
Place them in a baking tray with butter paper lined. keep some space between each Naan Khatai, as they expand while baking.
Whisk one egg yolk and brush it over each Naanakhatai. (if you don’t want to use egg yolk you can replace it with milk) as it gives a lovely colour to the Naaan Khatai.
Preheat your oven for 10 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius. And bake the Naan Khatai for 25 to 30 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. Take it from the oven and cool them completely.
Delicious NaanKhatai’s are ready! You can store these delectable biscuits for at least 3 weeks in an airtight container.
The pilgrims have already started arriving at Hassanabdal, from where they will proceed to the Teri area of Karak on Monday and return the same day…reports Asian Lite News.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmad will celebrate Diwali at the Teri Temple in Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Monday to express solidarity with the local members of the Hindu community as well as pilgrims reaching the shrine from other parts of the country, Dawn reported.
The grand function is being organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC), which invited Justice Ahmed and other dignitaries to take part in the celebrations. The Hindu council will also host a large number of pilgrims from Sindh and Balochistan, the report added.
PHC patron-in-chief and member of the National Assembly Ramesh Kumar Vankwani said the presence of senior officials during the celebration would give a strong message to the miscreants that their nefarious designs would be foiled by the state.
इससे कमाल की खबर आज हो ही नहीं सकती#Karak में जिस मंदिर को कट्टरपंथियों ने पिछले साल तोड़ दिया था , #पाकिस्तान सुप्रीम कोर्ट के चीफ़ जस्टिस #GulzarAhmad कल वहाँ दिवाली मनाने जा रहे हैं।
2014 से पहले का भारत ऐसा ही था और अब भारत अंतर्राष्ट्रीय शर्मिंदगी का केंद्र बन गया है। pic.twitter.com/HlfZ64jVfT
To provide facilities to those arriving from Sindh and Balochistan to participate in the annual fair at Teri, the Hindu council has also requested the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to provide boarding and lodging facilities to around 1,500 pilgrims at Hassanabdal, the report said.
The pilgrims have already started arriving at Hassanabdal, from where they will proceed to the Teri area of Karak on Monday and return the same day.
The shrine is associated to a saint, Shri Param Hans Ji Maharaj, in Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where a temple was established in 1920.
However, it was vandalised by a mob led by a local cleric belonging to the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl last year.
Later, on the orders of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, not only the temple/shrine was restored to its original condition by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, but the apex court also ordered the ptovincial government in October 2021 to recover 33 million PKR from the culprits involved in vandalising and destruction of the century-old Samadhi, the report said.
On December 30, 2020, more than 1,000 people led by some local clerics belonging to the JUI-F instigated the villagers to demolish the temple as a result people led by local seminary students attacked the temple.
Subsequently, the Supreme Court took suo motu notice of the incident and during the proceedings the court was informed by then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Sanaullah Abbasi that a local leader of the JUI-F, Maulana Faizullah, had organised the protest near the shrine but of the six religious leaders present at the protest site, only Maulvi Sharif had incited the crowd to desecrate the temple, the report said.
The court was apprised that 109 people involved in the incident had been arrested soon after destruction.
Earlier in 1997, the Samadhi was first attacked and severely damaged, and PHC head Vankwani had approached the apex court in 2015 seeking help to restore the holy place and restart the annual pilgrimage to the place.
Supreme Court of Pakistan (Wikipedia)
“At that time, local clerics were creating hurdles to holding of religious congregation for the Hindus, while the followers of Shri Paramhans Ji tried to build the temple at the place but it was not allowed,” Vankwani had told Dawn.
The Supreme Court had issued directives to the provincial government to restore and preserve the Teri temple at that time, too.
Finally, Pakistan Hindu Council started holding the annual fair in 2015.
Since the temple/shrine was being managed by the local Hindu families, it comes administratively under the KP government and not under the ETPB control.
Varanasi, also known as the city of temples, gets a makeover of its own on the occasion of Dev Diwali where it feels as if the stars have come down on Earth…reports Asian Lite News.
Diwali is undoubtedly an occasion that one looks forward to eagerly through the year. The onset of winter, the excitement in the air and families huddling together for card parties and festivities. But if you are looking to give Diwali a unique twist you want to make the most of the long weekend away from home. With it the perfect opportunity to travel, while also celebrating Diwali in a memorable way, here are a few suggestions from Airbnb.
Celebrate with tribal communities in Gujarat
In the villages of Gujarat, Diwali is not just a two-day festival but a fifteen-day affair! Traditionally, the tribal communities of these villages don’t burn any crackers but celebrate by lighting lamps and burning wood, the smoke of which, they believe, keeps them healthy and brings wealth. On each day of the fortnight-long festival, the villagers greet each other and the youth performs a tribal dance.
Bali Villa
This gorgeous Bali Villa is perfectly secluded, offering the thrill of luxury and the benevolence of nature. It is located in the heart of Charota and boasts of endless lawns, a pool, and even a golf course – ideal to escape the crowds and celebrate with loved ones.
Gauriben’s Homestay!
You can also take up a private room in this quaint homestay. This homestay is a part of Hum Sab Ek hain (We are One) initiative of SEWA, which offers an incredible village experience in the remote area of Bakutra. For those looking to explore more of Gujarat, the Rann of Kutch is just 200 km away from.
Indulge in some Diwali shopping in Jaipur
The Pink City looks even more stunning when it’s all lit up on the occasion of Diwali. With beautiful rangoli patterns in every nook and corner, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the vibe of the city changes. And when in Jaipur, one cannot refrain from visiting the bustling bazaars and shopping. The spirit of the festival resonates through the market streets where you can shop for unique jewellery, gorgeous sarees, bedsheets, and a lot more!
Chirmi Palace
Located in the heart of the city, this 136-years-old heritage home guarantees a memorable stay. Home to the erstwhile rulers of Chomu, the unique accommodation is strategically located within a kilometre of Mirza Ismail road. And in case you do feel like staying in, you can relax at the wine bistro, the laidback backyard, or perhaps take a dip in the pool if the weather permits!
Luxury 4 bedroom Condo with Terrace & Jacuzzi
You are sure to feel like a royal in this lovely luxury condo that offers a lounge area, open kitchen, a terrace with a Jacuzzi. Four well-appointed rooms overlooking the city are decorated in traditional Jaipur style, resonating the city’s cultural beauty everywhere you look.
Light up diyas at Ayodhya’s Deepotsav
If you happen to travel to Ayodhaya for Diwali this year, you will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the Ram Ki Paidi ghat lit up with as many as 7.5 lakh diyas. On the eve of Diwali, the Ayodhya administration will attempt to better their previous Guinness World Record of the number of diyas, which will be followed by a laser show at night. If you wish to feel the true essence of the festival, then Ayodhya’s Deepostav should not be missed.
Penthouse in the City of Nawabs
When travelling to Ayodhya, we definitely recommend a pitstop in Lucknow to relish some Awadhi delights. With Ayodhya just three hours away, you can stay at this penthouse in the city of Nawabs to gorge on some kebabs and biryani. The stay itself is a quaint and tastefully furnished penthouse, situated in one of the best localities in Lucknow.
Mangalam Farm: The Cave
Just half an hour from Ayodhya, the Cave is a farm stay located in Faizabad, surrounded by spectacular views of nature. When staying here, you can choose to soak some Vitamin D on the beautiful terrace, or even take a walk to the pond, when done with all the hustle and bustle of Diwali in Ayodhya.
Enjoy Dev Diwali and Ganga Aarti in Varanasi
Varanasi, also known as the city of temples, gets a makeover of its own on the occasion of Dev Diwali where it feels as if the stars have come down on Earth. Every ghat and temple in the Holy City is lit up with earthen ghee diyas and with the moon reflecting the waters of the Ganga, it is a rare and mesmerising sight.
Panchkote Raj Ganges
Located on the banks of the Ganga river, Panchkote Raj Ganges exudes the unimaginable hospitality of the past. The stay has a lovely lawn where you can feel the bygone era still alive in places, especially when you witness the spectacular sunrise. The stay is also equipped with all the modern possibilities, to make for a comfortable time in this lovely town.
Special boat trip for Dev Diwali
While Dev Diwali can be enjoyed from the banks of the river, a ride in the boat can be utterly mesmerizing. Hardly anything can come close to the experience of hundreds of diyas and flowers floating around you. If you wish to feel the spirit of the festival, there is hardly anything that would come close to this experience.
Celebrate Dilli Ki Diwali’
The spirits are high in Delhi during the Diwali season as people dress up in ethnic attires to visit family and friends, to share sweets and delicacies. With a slight chill in the air, card parties in every other home, and the sound of crackers, the city of Delhi is the place to be if you want to want to experience a fun and happening Diwali.
Harphool Nivas 2 @Hauz Khas Village
This beautiful heritage apartment has been tastefully furnished with antique furniture and the balcony offers marvellous views of the 13th -century fort and the lake. The property is named after Harphool Singh, one of the ancestors of the founding fathers of Hauz Khas Village, and offers a true experience of Delhi’s heritage to the guests staying here. Set amidst beautiful parks, forest and lakes, a staycation here promise an unforgettable experience in the heart of Delhi.
Mandi Hills – Peaceful Farm Stay (with pool)
If you don’t feel like traveling too far from the city, this farm stay could be the perfect getaway for you. Complete with lavish lawns, a lovely patio as well as a gorgeous swimming pool to dip your feet in – you can spend some quality time here with your friends and family without venturing too far from home.
The India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has hosted over 2,00,000 visitors as of November 3 with various sector and state-specific sessions to discuss India’s growth roadmap, reports Asian Lite News
The India Pavilion, inaugurated by Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, on October 1, has successfully completed its first month at the Expo 2020, Dubai.
According to an official release of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the India Pavilion has hosted over 2,00,000 visitors as of November 3 with various sector and state-specific sessions to discuss India’s growth roadmap.
“It also secured investment opportunities for the country and celebrated several cultural events to attract visitors,” the release said.
Commenting on the success of India Pavilion, Dr Aman Puri, Consul General of India in Dubai and Deputy Commissioner General for India at Expo 2020 Dubai said, “The October month was a huge success for the India Pavilion. We saw a strong visitor turnout and expect this momentum to continue in the coming months”.
“While the India Pavilion will showcase more business opportunities for collaboration and investment, the popularity of India’s festivals, food, and cultural performances, have been crucial aspects in attracting visitors from across the globe”, he added.
The Pavilion started with the Climate and Biodiversity Week from October 3 to October 9.
Glittering Diwali at India Pavilion
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy conducted various sessions that highlighted India’s renewable energy goals and climate action plan to the world.
These weeks were followed by Space and Urban and Rural Development weeks, where discussions around the future of the sectors, the issues and challenges in the sectors, the role of the government regulations, and incentives were discussed.
Besides sector-specific weeks, the India Pavilion also hosted specific weeks for Gujarat, Karnataka, and UT of Ladakh. The state of Gujarat organized events at the India Pavilion where Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister, Gujarat virtually showcased the state’s vibrant Pharma sector along with its plan for sustainable development.
Similarly, the Karnataka Week also witnessed the presence of Murugesh Nirani, Minister, Large and Medium Scale Industries, Government of Karnataka along with Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Higher Education; IT and BT, Science and Technology; Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka.
“Additionally, a series of events showcasing opportunities in Ladakh across focus sectors like sustainable infrastructure, connectivity, food processing, and tourism were discussed during the Ladakh Week at India Pavilion,” the release said.
The Ministry informed that the Karnataka week saw an announcement on partnership between the government of Karnataka and Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) to strengthen the investment ties between India and UAE.
HE Reem Al Hashimi, MoS and MD for Expo 2020 Dubai, Pawan Kapoor, Ambassador to the UAE and CGI Dr. Aman Puri, during the lamp-lighting ceremony at Dubai Millenium Amphitheater for the Diwali celebration.
“GII’s investment approach in India is sector-agnostic and the firm plans to invest another USD 500m (Rs 3,500 crores) in India in the next 3 years and was one of the key achievements for the state of Karnataka,” the Ministry said.
The Climate and Biodiversity week saw virtual participation from dignitaries such as RK Singh, Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State, New and Renewable Energy, Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India and Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.
The Space sector sessions were addressed by Dr K Sivan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary Department of Space and Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) and Umamaheshwaran R, Scientific Secretary, ISRO.
The Urban and Rural Development week that started from October 31was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India including, Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary and Mission Director (Smart Cities Mission); Jaideep, OSD (Urban Transport) and Dinesh Kapila, Economic Advisor (Housing).
“The month of October at the India Pavilion also witnessed an array of cultural activities during Dusshera and Navratri celebrations. These included folk dances, storytelling and music for countless visitors and dignitaries. The ongoing Diwali celebrations at India Pavilion comprise of colourful installations, lighting in the form of Swarangoli or LED rangoli, virtual display of firecrackers and performances by leading artists such as Salim-Sulaiman, Dhruv and Rooh bands from India and Dubai,” the release said.
“The enthusiasm of visitors resulted in India Pavilion being one of the most visited Pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai. The activities and events during October were witnessed by hundreds of visitors with zeal and enthusiasm,” it added. (ANI)
Without realising much, we now know that the world is changing pretty fast. The ‘great resignation’ saga as witnessed by MNCs is a case in point…reports Nirendra Dev.
The move by US lawmakers led by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney from New York to get a new draft law that would declare Diwali as a federal holiday is a landmark event of our time.
After Yoga, we now have Diwali – the festival of Light and Sound — as a symbol of India’s Soft Power.
Statesmanship, mutual benefits, and strategic significance, not necessarily in that order, decide foreign policy ball games in the contemporary settings. Now, it is time to add ‘Soft Power’ as a major tool. The emphasis is bigger and more thrustful in the post pandemic era.
Without realising much, we now know that the world is changing pretty fast. The ‘great resignation’ saga as witnessed by MNCs is a case in point.
For beginners, a Microsoft study says nearly 40 per cent of professionals are keen to give up their existing jobs in the current calendar year. Welcome to a new world era wherein the civilisational and cultural prisms too could prove to be effective tools in the changed world order.
Perhaps this can be underlined better also in the context of developments in Afghanistan and some roles played by Pakistan. Religiosity can have a soothing impact for someone who uses these occasions to gaze in within oneself. These virtues are appreciated in advanced societies as materialistic achievements have made people lonely and friendless.
More than creating ‘segments’ like Hindu culture or fest, certain things are emerging now as a global phenomenon. The timing of Diwali festival in between autumn and winter is not something to be lost. The light and sound kill some bacteria in the air – that’s for the rational school; and in pursuing this argument, one knows the problems lay in overdoing things.
Bursting of firecrackers would have been pleasant and a tasteful experience had not this become a symbol of showmanship. If firecrackers are bad for the environment, so is gambling and the so-called gift-exchange culture of Delhi for human behaviour. Here too, the problem is in overdoing things; not ordering a blanket ban as a presumed corrective strategy.
The global recognition by the UN and ongoing craze for Yoga and a renewed zeal for festivals such as Deepawali have some messages. Of these, the big picture message is – the international game can be no longer about pushing a single-agenda item.
Soft power games also means persuasive diplomacy. It may be out of the box, but not something to be dismissed as out of the blue. Life is often like standing in the dusk, to use poetic jargon. It is all about optimism. Optimism leads to patience. The storm would pass off eventually, no matter how long it is.
— Clientjoy | CRM for Agencies (@clientjoysocial) November 4, 2021
This is a major takeaway from oriental teachings and India’s perspectives. That’s the essence of India’s civilisational “soft power” strength too. Diwali symbolises glory of virtues over vices like most festivals and rituals across the globe.
Switching on to another chapter now, there are observers who say that Indians thrive on self pity and that’s why we Indians often continue to curse ourselves. The polarization of India’s intellectual class is so deep that it is difficult to express an opinion and that would still be considered an objective one.
If one writes a few lines on Hindu festivals and oriental traditions and values, he is in danger of being called a communal! But the fact of life is that some Indian and, for that matter, Hindu fests have attracted attention and excitement globally. This has not happened because Indians can influence the outcome in an US election, this is also because people see merit in some of these festivals and practices.
The festival of light and sound which essentially marks the victory of Good over Evil and Knowledge over Ignorance is being celebrated with religious zeal in countries such as the UAE, Canada, the African nations and Malaysia. In many countries, Diwali has made a mark as a festival of share and care. People also do charity work at orphanages and old age homes.
It is worth mentioning that in 2016 in the context of Art of Living’s World Culture Festival in Delhi, none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, “We (Indians) can make contribution (of India’s soft power) only when we ourselves feel proud of our culture. But if we continue to curse ourselves, then how will the world look towards us. The world is not only united by concerns of economic growth, but also by human values and India can play a vital role in it.”
The motive of building a predefined narrative against Hindu fests and practices, if any, has thus fallen flat.
Aerial view of the city is engulfed in heavy smog in New Delhi, India, 05 November 2021, as Delhi's air quality hits the 'hazardous' category after Diwali festival. (Pallav Paliwal)
At 8 a.m., AQI at Delhi’s Ashok vihar was 464, Chandni chowk(371), Dwarka (472), Mandir Marg (466), IGI Airport(458), Lodhi road (459) and North campus (453) according to CPCB…reports Asian Lite News.
The air quality index (AQI) crossed the 600-mark at several places across the national capital with a few places in east Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida crossing the 800-mark on Friday morning, hours after the people burst firecrackers on Diwali night making the Delhi-NCR air hazardous.
The already severe condition of the air quality on Thursday evening deteriorated further with pm2.5 concentration at 467 and pm10 concentration at 631 at 9 a.m., according to SAFAR data. There was moderate fog early in the morning, indicative of air quality may not improve much for the day.
The fog conditions intensified in Delhi-NCR on Friday with moderate fog at visibility 200 to 500m range reported at its two airports from 5.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) Palam lowest visibility was 350m while the city side had a poorer visibility at 200m, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD)
At 9 a.m., AQI was 920 and 904 in Noida’s sector 116 and in Sector 62 respectively; 617 in Ghaziabad’s vasundhara; 897 and 699 in Delhi’s Patparganj and Sriniwaspuri respectively, according to the data from World Quality Index project, a non-profit organisation.
However, the data given by CPCB did not reflect these station’s and showed much lesser AQI levels for other stations.
At 8 a.m., AQI at Delhi’s Ashok vihar was 464, Chandni chowk(371), Dwarka (472), Mandir Marg (466), IGI Airport(458), Lodhi road (459) and North campus (453) according to CPCB.
The Meteorological agencies had predicted an AQI of 500 plus for Thursday and Friday if Delhiites burst firecrackers on Diwali day. However, none of the stations touched the 500-mark
According to the India Meteorological Department, there will be partly cloudy sky in Delhi and maximum temperature is expected to be 29 degree Celsius and minimum temperature is expected to be 14 degree Celsius.
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”, then 401 and between 500 is considered “severe”.
India Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai marked Diwali, the festival of lights, lights with all the gaiety and festive fervour over five days…reports Asian Lite News
From Bollywood music composer duo Salim-Sulaiman’s musical night with popular playback singer Vipul Mehta to performances by famous bands, dance schools and students, an array of entertainment enthralled Expo visitors.
Glittering Diwali at India Pavilion
India Pavilion is welcoming the visitors with a grand entrance arch designed with floral patterns. On both sides of the arch the Pavilion has larger-than-life diyas (oil lamps traditionally made of clay) with a backdrop inspired by Mandala art. Diyas symbolically destroy darkness and ignorance and usher in hope and knowledge.
Along the walls of the pavilion, a large lotus tree with hanging Akash kandils (light lanterns) will illuminate the surroundings. The lotus tree with rangoli patterns will be a beautiful photo-opportunity for visitors.
Maloney and Krishnamoorthi also introduced a resolution in the Congress recognising the religious and historical significance of Diwali, reports Nikhila Natarajan
New York Congresswoman, Carolyn B. Maloney has piloted a bill that aims to secure a federal holiday on Diwali.
Maloney, 75, is chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and former chair of the Joint Economic Committee, the first woman to hold both of these positions. Only 18 women have chaired Congressional committees.
She is most remembered among Indians for a seven-year long battle, before US postal service, in 2016, finally issued a stamp commemorating Diwali.
I am so excited to introduce my Deepavali Day Act which would enshrine Diwali as a federal holiday. Let’s celebrate light over darkness, the triumph of good over evil, and the pursuit of knowledge over ignorance during this special time of year!https://t.co/NOHU1mCcWc
“I’m very, very happy and excited to be introducing the Deepavali Day Act this week alongside members of the Congressional Indian Caucus, which will enshrine Diwali into law as a federal holiday,” Maloney said at an event at the US Capitol on Wednesday.
She also tweeted 30-minutes of speeches by community leaders to this effect. This had 2,400 retweets at the time of publication.
The legislation is co-sponsored by a number of US lawmakers, including Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Krishnamoorthi has also introduced a resolution in the US Congress recognising the religious and historical significance of Diwali.
Maloney said Diwali this year symbolises the nation’s continuing journey out of the darkness of Covid-19.
Pic credits @RepGregoryMeeks
For context on stature, Maloney has authored and passed more than 74 measures, either as stand-alone bills or as measures incorporated into larger legislation packages. Twelve of these were signed into law at formal Presidential signing ceremonies.
She is the first woman to represent New York’s 12th Congressional District. The district includes most of Manhattan’s East Side, Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, Greenpoint, Brooklyn as well as Roosevelt Island.
Maloney is a member of the Democratic Party.
She is the author of Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: Why Women’s Lives Aren’t Getting Any Easier — And How We Can Make Real Progress For Ourselves and Our Daughters, used as a textbook in women’s studies courses.
Other legislations include the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, its reauthorization, and the ‘Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act to make sure all those suffering health aliments associated with 9/11 get the medical care and compensation they need and deserve; the Debbie Smith Act, which increases funding for law enforcement to process DNA rape kits and has been called ‘the most important anti-rape legislation in history;’ and the Credit CARD Act, also known as the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights, which according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), saved consumers more than $16 billion annually since it was signed into law in 2009.
DIWALI: Dubai Expo 2020 Gears Up To Host Diwali Fest
Dubai’s prestigious Expo 2020 venue is celebrating Festival of Light Diwali with all its glitter and glory. Popular Indian composer duo Salim and Sulaiman are goimng to perform at Amphitheatre, Dubai Millennium at 9 pm UAE Time
Dubai’s prestigious Expo 2020 venue is celebrating Festival of Light Diwali with all its glitter and glory. Popular Indian composer duo Salim and Sulaiman are goimng to perform at Amphitheatre, Dubai Millennium at 9 pm UAE Time.
A special performance that incorporates martial arts and dances by artistes in colourful costumes inspired by the festival processions and the Diwali Mela will also be held from 9.05pm.
DIWALI: Dubai Expo 2020 Gears Up To Host Diwali Fest
Expo 2020 Dubai is also offering a colourful bouquet of more than a dozen events for visitors in the run up to and on Diwali. The Diwali celebrations will conclude at the Millennium Amphitheatre on the night of 5th November.
Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020 Dubai will mesmerise viewers with special Diwali-inspired projections inside its large 360-degree projection surface on 4th November.
Parallel performances by several bands and musical troupes at the Jubilee Stage and the Millennium Amphitheatre are designed to make the occasion memorable.
Meanwhile, the India Pavilion is welcoming the visitors with a grand entrance arch designed with floral patterns. On both sides of the arch the Pavilion has larger-than-life diyas (oil lamps traditionally made of clay) with a backdrop inspired by Mandala art. Diyas symbolically destroy darkness and ignorance and usher in hope and knowledge.
Along the walls of the pavilion, a large lotus tree with hanging Akash kandils (light lanterns) will illuminate the surroundings. The lotus tree with rangoli patterns will be a beautiful photo-opportunity for visitors.
The pavilion said it will also have a delightful hamper of larger-than-life firecrackers, including the familiar chakris, ladis and ‘rockets’. Visitors could pose in front of these giant crackers and click pictures.
The events organised by India Pavilion will also be held at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre (DMA) at the Expo 2020 Dubai until November 5.
