Lohri is a vibrant festival that marks the end of winter and the beginning of warmer days, celebrated with bonfires, songs, and dances. But did you know there's a fascinating historical story behind it? The festival is linked to Dulla Bhatti, a brave warrior from Punjab who fought against Mughal rulers during Emperor Akbar's reign. Dulla Bhatti is known for his rebellion and his acts of kindness, like rescuing young girls from forced marriages. His story became a part of Lohri celebrations, with people singing songs about him around the bonfire. This video explores how Dulla Bhatti’s revolutionary tale is intertwined with the festival of Lohri and why it remains an important part of the celebrations today.
11 January,2025 04:00 PM IST
While the efforts are on to rescue the workers trapped in the coal mine at 3 Kilo Coal Quarry in Umrangso area of Assam, second body was recovered recently. Earlier on January 8, rescue teams recovered first body identified as Ganga Bahadur Shreth from an inundated rat-hole mine. At least 9 workers were trapped inside the coal mine after a tragic flood incident on January 06. Joint operation launched by Indian Army, SDRF, NDRF and Assam Rifles was soon joined by Indian Navy. High capacity pumps were employed by the teams to fasten the rescue operation. Second body was recovered on January 11, after water level decreased rapidly in the mine. Water level in the mine reduced by 6 metres after 5 pumps worked overnight: NDRF Inspector. Inspector Roshan Kumar Singh, Team Commander, NDRF, said, “We check the water level every morning. And when we were doing that, we saw a body floating. So we took it out at around 7:30 am. The water level has been reduced by 6 metres. 5 pumps were working overnight. The operation is going on 24 hours.”
11 January,2025 01:21 PM IST
While addressing at the fourth plenary session of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 Convention, on the topic 'Diaspora Divas: Celebrating Women's Leadership and Influence – Nari Shakti', Minister of external affairs of India, Dr Jaishankar explained how ‘Women empowerment’ led development in India in recent times. He said, “Improvement in National Sex Ratio, paid maternity leave to 26 weeks, the fact that 300 million MUDRA Yojana loans have been given out to women entrepreneurs, that 43% of the enrollment today in STEM is of girls, that 28% has been the increase in the female enrollment in higher education, that 32 million Sukanya Samriddhi accounts have been opened up for education, that 100 million smoke-free kitchens today or that when there is a housing scheme called Awas under which 40 million homes have been built and handed over and 72% of them have women ownership - either a sole ownership or as joint ownership. I am mentioning this because when we think of progress, of modernity, of a march towards Viksit Bharat, one metric of measuring it is GDP, how many roads have been built, how many metros, how many cities, how many airports - that is certainly a way but that is superficial unless we address the human side of that progress and to my mind today, these are really some of the powerful changes which are happening in India. But like any change, they require role models, they require inspirations, they require divas.”
10 January,2025 07:45 PM IST
The Maha Kumbh 2025 is set to unfold from 13th January. Sadhus and devotees have already started pouring into the holy confluence. Fascinating stories are coming up from the site centred around faith and service. Rabri Wale Baba is famous for preparing and distributing Rabri at Mahakumbh 2025. He says, "... Thousands of people are savouring this Rabri... I got this idea in 2019 and due to the blessings of people, I became Shri Mahant of the Akhara... This rabri is first offered to Kapil Muni and Deities and then distributed to the people... This is simply for the service of people and not a publicity stunt..."
10 January,2025 07:41 PM IST
New Amrit Bharat trains are set to launched soon. Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw visited Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to inspect Vande Bharat rakes, Amrit Bharat train coaches and Vistadome dining car in Chennai and said, “Amrit Bharat train has been made for ordinary citizens. The General coach has the same facilities as any premium coach. It has been made with the sense of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas and upliftment of all. You will see several new features, like the quality of seats and fans, charging points, lumbar support in chairs and newly designed toilets. Improvements are being continuously made in Vande Bharat trains also."
10 January,2025 07:36 PM IST
Amidst the raging wildfires in California that have led thousands to flee homes including the upscale areas of Los Angeles, on Jan 7, residents spoke out on the tragedy that put their lives in danger. The raging fire destroyed 2,921 acres of the Pacific Palisades area between the coastal towns of Santa Monica and Malibu. Currently, the fire is spreading to the Hollywood Hills, resulting in the evacuation of Hollywood residents, stars from Pacific Palisades. Several videos showed firefighters trying to contain the fire as it spread forward, with winds blowing up to 100 mph. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and warned in a briefing that, “We are not out of danger”. President-Elect Donald Trump called California wildfires a 'true tragedy' and criticized Governor Newsom.
10 January,2025 01:31 PM IST
A speeding car on Thursday fell into a 20-foot deep nullah in Vasai area of Palghar district of Maharashtra, the officials said, adding that the operations were underway to pull out the vehicle. Sources said that the incident took place in the Madhuban area of Vasai East at around 6 pm on Thursday. Preliminary information suggests that the driver of the speeding car lost control, causing the vehicle to plunge into the nullah, they said.
10 January,2025 11:54 AM IST
A fast-moving wildfire broke out in California on January 7, affecting areas like Los Angeles and the Pacific Palisades. The fire has already burned 2,921 acres between Santa Monica and Malibu and is now spreading toward the Hollywood Hills. Many people, including celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis, Mandy Moore, and Maria Shriver, had to evacuate their homes. Firefighters are battling the flames as strong winds of up to 100 mph make it harder to control. California's Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, warning that the danger is not over. President-Elect Donald Trump called the wildfires a "true tragedy" but also criticized Governor Newsom's response.
09 January,2025 05:35 PM IST
A stampede occurred at the Tirupati Temple on January 8, causing the deaths of at least six people and injuring many others. The incident happened near Vishnu Niwasam, close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens. Large crowds of devotees had gathered to collect tokens, and by the end of the day, overcrowding led to the tragic stampede. The Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) confirmed that overcrowding was the cause. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited the site on January 9. The families of the victims are mourning their loss, while authorities are investigating the incident
09 January,2025 04:11 PM IST
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, emphasizing how other countries have started looking up to India in the past decade. He also inaugurated four exhibitions showcasing work from various government ministries and departments. During his speech, PM Modi highlighted that the Mahakumbh festival in Prayagraj would soon begin, along with Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu celebrations. He reminded everyone that on this day in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India after being abroad. Praising the government's efforts, PM Modi stated that in the last 10 years, over 25 crore people were lifted out of poverty. He also mentioned that India is now the world’s fifth-largest economy and will soon be in third place.
09 January,2025 03:11 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
