News Analysis India

Tag: Chhath Puja

  • Chhath shows vitality of sun, nature, says PM Modi

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 94th edition of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat” on Sunday. Largely talking about the Chhath Puja, he said, “The tradition of worshipping sun is a proof of how deep our culture and faith is connected to nature. This puja highlights the importance of sunlight in our life.”

    The festival exhibits an essence of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’, Modi said, adding that it is organised in many parts of the country now including Maharashtra and Gujarat. Connecting the importance of solar light to that of Chhatha puja, the PM said that the blessing of Sun god is solar energy. 

    “Today, India is combining its traditional experiences with modern science, that is why, we have become one of the largest countries to generate electricity from solar energy”, the PM said. He also spoke on the emerging importance of developing ‘Suryagram’ (Solar village) in line with one inaugurated by him recently in Gujarat called Modhara.

    Now, Modhara is the country’s first solar village wherein every household has solar panels installed.Talking about the success of space agency, he pointed out that India has set a record after placing 26 satellites in space. 

    “This success had been achieved just a day before Diwali, in a way it is a special Diwali gift to the country,” he said. Recalling the days when India struggled to obtain Cryogenic engine, the PM said that it did not deter the country and we developed our own Cryogenic rocket engine technology.

    NEW DELHI:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 94th edition of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat” on Sunday. Largely talking about the Chhath Puja, he said, “The tradition of worshipping sun is a proof of how deep our culture and faith is connected to nature. This puja highlights the importance of sunlight in our life.”

    The festival exhibits an essence of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’, Modi said, adding that it is organised in many parts of the country now including Maharashtra and Gujarat. Connecting the importance of solar light to that of Chhatha puja, the PM said that the blessing of Sun god is solar energy. 

    “Today, India is combining its traditional experiences with modern science, that is why, we have become one of the largest countries to generate electricity from solar energy”, the PM said. He also spoke on the emerging importance of developing ‘Suryagram’ (Solar village) in line with one inaugurated by him recently in Gujarat called Modhara.

    Now, Modhara is the country’s first solar village wherein every household has solar panels installed.
    Talking about the success of space agency, he pointed out that India has set a record after placing 26 satellites in space. 

    “This success had been achieved just a day before Diwali, in a way it is a special Diwali gift to the country,” he said. Recalling the days when India struggled to obtain Cryogenic engine, the PM said that it did not deter the country and we developed our own Cryogenic rocket engine technology.

  • Ten Chhath revellers killed after truck mows down auto-rickshaw in Assam

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Ten persons were killed in Assam’s Karimganj district on Thursday morning when a cement-laden truck mowed down their auto-rickshaw.

    The accident occurred at Baithakhal area on National Highway 8 when the victims were returning from a ghat after performing Chhath Puja, the police said.

    Nine of them died on the spot. Another, who was grievously injured, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital later. The deceased mostly included women and children.

    The police seized the truck. The driver was, however, absconding.

    Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mourned the deaths.

    “I deeply mourn tragic death of 9 persons in an accident at Baithakhal, Patharkandi this morning. One injured is admitted to hospital. @assampolice is trying to trace driver of the truck who had fled the scene after hitting the auto deceased were travelling in,” Sarma tweeted.

    The state government announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh for each of the families of the victims. Sarma directed the administration and the police to extend all possible assistance to the families.

  • BJP trying to prevent Purvanchalis from performing Chhath Puja in Delhi, alleges AAP

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Politics over Chhath Puja in Delhi intensified on Saturday with the AAP accusing the BJP of not letting ‘Purvanchalis’ prepare ‘ghats’ required to perform rituals pertaining to the festival.

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) urged the BJP to stop playing “dirty politics” over Chhath Puja and let people celebrate the festival in Delhi.

    “And, if they (BJP) continue playing dirty politics over Chhath Puja, Purvanchalvasi (People who hail from Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh) will not forgive them,” AAP legislator Sanjeev Jha warned while addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here.

    The BJP hit back, accusing the AAP of trying to create tension over the issue.

    In a statement, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor also appealed to the people to not pay heed to the “provocative statements” of the AAP leaders.

    The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the municipal corporations are developing ‘ghats’ for Chhath Puja at “all traditionally identified locations”, the BJP leader clarified.

    The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has prohibited celebrations of Chhath Puja on the banks of the Yamuna this year.

    In a recent order, the Authority said Puja celebrations will be allowed at designated sites in the city, except on the banks of the river Yamuna.

    Following this, Jha requested L-G Anil Baijal to allow Chhath Puja celebrations on the banks of the Yamuna, saying ghats (banks) are cleaned before the devotees perform rituals.

    “At the behest of the BJP, however, L-G sahab issued an order barring Chhath Puja celebrations at Yamuna banks,” the AAP MLA alleged.

    “The BJP is now trying to prevent the celebration of Chhath Puja at DDA and municipal corporations’ land in Delhi. It’s clear that the BJP hates Purvanchalvasi,” he charged.

    Jha alleged that authorities are not letting devotees prepare ghats for Chhath Puja at various locations in Delhi at the behest of the BJP.

    “Preparations for Chhath Puja ghat were underway in Dwarka. The mayor of the BJP-ruled municipal corporation visited the spot and said Puja will not be allowed,” he said, adding that the AAP MLA of the area has been sitting on a dharna at the site in protest against denial of permission by the mayor.

    Lashing out at the BJP, AAP leader Somnath Bharti claimed that the saffron party is “insulting” ‘Purvanchalis’ by putting hurdles in their preparations for Chhath Puja.

  • Chhath Puja will be celebrated from home, Collector issued orders in view of Corona epidemic

    According to the instructions of the state government, an order has been issued by Collector Shri Ranbir Sharma to conduct Chhath Puja houses this year. It has been stated in the issued order that 3487 corona virus positive patients have been identified in the district till 06 November 2020 and about 30 to 40 corona positive patients are being received every day. Keeping in view the continuous increase of Corona positive cases, instructions have been issued to organize Chhath Puja to prevent and control it so that common citizens do not gather in one place and the prayers can be completed with full faith and respect. In this regard, a meeting of Chhath Puja committees has been held on 07 November in the district, in which it has been decided that the common people will perform Chhath Puja in their homes. Will not go to any river, water stream, pond, pokhari to pay. The president or secretary of the Chhath Puja Committee will place a banner before any worship at the Chhat Ghat, so that common citizens can know in advance. Apart from this, we will promote through Facebook, WhatsApp and other media. Chhath Puja will not be permitted under any circumstances. During Chhath Puja, it should be said that special care should be taken not to gather crowds in any situation in shops for selling pooja material. The Chief Municipal Officer, Nagar Panchayat Officer has been instructed to propagate the restrictions through loudspeaker mic. In addition to all these instructions, the Government of India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued the SOP issued on 04 June 2020. Will have to be compulsorily followed.
    It has been told that in violation of the order, strict action will be taken under the Epidemic Disease Act and other law-friendly sections.