Category: Life & Style

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the first traditional Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi on February 14. The temple will be inaugurated in a Vedic ceremony under the guidance of Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj. On February 18, the temple will open its gates to the general public.

The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) previously confirmed in a press release that Mr Modi will be accompanied by Swami Ishwacharandas and Swami Brahmaviharidas, along with the board of directors.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan gifted the land during the prime minister’s first official visit to the UAE in August 2015. The temple construction kicked off in December 2019 and is anticipated to last for more than 1,000 years.

1,500 workers meticulously crafted the 27-acre pink sandstone temple by hand. Countless community leaders and hundreds of volunteers supported the temple construction, which is a dream come true for BAPS and millions of Hindus.

Abdulnasser Alshaali, the UAE’s ambassador to India, stated that the inauguration of the Swaminarayan temple of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha will be a momentous occasion to “celebrate tolerance and acceptance.”

President Draupadi Murmu awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024 to nineteen children on Monday. Among the winners were Aaditya Vijay Brahmane, 12, from Rajasthan who sacrificed his life to save his cousins Harsh and Shlok from drawing in the river while playing.

The list includes a nine-year-old mountaineer, R Surya Prasad, from Andra, who was awarded for accomplishing his feat of scaling Mount Kilimanjaro at the age of nine. The six-year-old ‘Google boy,’ Armaan Ubhrani, for his outstanding prowess in mathematics and science. Anushka Pathak, 8, captivated people across 22 states by establishing herself in ‘Katha Vachan’n (religious text narration).

Arijeet Banerjee, 13, a prodigy who plays the traditional Pakhawaj, has had a major impact on the cultural landscape. He also received the Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi Fellowship and the Asia Book of Records. 17-year-old Aryan Singh is recognised for his work on an AI robot that integrates state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things to help improve the lives of farmers.

The 13-year-old Hetvi Kantibhai Khimsuriya has created 250 works of free-hand painting despite suffering from cerebral palsy. She also donates her monthly pension to support differently-abled children.

India continues to be generous in helping Afghanistan by supplying the latest 40,000 litres of Malathion pesticide through Chabahar port. Malathion is an environment-friendly pesticide used to fight locust-widespread and is best suited for arid regions.

Afghanistan is currently suffering from a locust menace as they continue to destroy crops in the country. Its spread further endangers neighbouring countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

The consignment of 40,000 Malathion was supplied in two trucks and was officially handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture. The Taliban-controlled Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock expressed their gratitude to India for helping to protect crops and ensuring food security in the nation.

Due to their voracious nature and capacity to destroy vegetation, locusts pose a significant hazard to food security. One of the worst cases was seen in Pakistan in early 2020, where it had to declare a national emergency due to a locust attack.

India continues to help the people of Afghanistan with the supply of wheat and the provision of materials for drug rehabilitation camps run by the UN. Under the partnership of the Indian government and the UN World Food Programme, India has supplied 47,500 metric tonnes of wheat.

PM Narendra Modi will hold an extravagant inauguration ceremony at Ramjanmbhoomi to welcome Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya after a wait of more than 500 years.

Following centuries of oppression by a particular community and colonial powers, Ayodhya is finally ready to move Ram Lalla from a broken tent to a temple. The original temple was razed by the Mughals in 1528, and the Babri Masjid was built on it.

PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in Ayodhya on Monday at 10:25 am and will reach Shri Ram Janmabhoomi at 10:55 am. He will perform the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at 12:05 pm with a team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit.

The specific time and date are chosen as per Hindu mythological history. It is believed that Lord Vishu took one of his incarnations on this particular Karma Dwadashi, Mrigashira Nakshatra, and Indra Yog Day. Shri Ram is also one of Shri Vishu’s incarnations. Thus, this date plays a significant role in the inaugural ceremony.

The consecration ceremony will be performed in the Abhijit Muhurat, which is considered one of the most auspicious muhurats in Hindu traditions. The muhurat will last 84 seconds between 12:29:08 p.m. and 12:30:32 p.m.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled commemorative postage stamps dedicated to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir and a book of stamps related to Lord Ram.

The Ram Mandir, Choupai “Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari,” the Sarayu River, the Sun, and sculptures within and outside the temple are just a few of its many highlights. It consists of six stamps in total. It includes Lord Ganesh, Ram Temple, Lord Hanuman, Kevatraj, Jatayu, and Ma Shabri.

The gold leaf depicting sun rays and Chaupai is included in the pattern, giving the small sheet an imposing appearance and reflecting Panchbhutas. Panchbhutas are the five elements of the physical world: earth, water, fire, air, and sky.

The book covers stamps issued by more than 20 countries, including the United States, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, Cambodia, and the UN, which demonstrate Lord Rama’s appeal to various communities worldwide.

The much-awaited Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir ‘Pran Pratishtha’ celebration is all set to welcome more than 7,000 guests, including saints, politicians, businessmen, and celebrities. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest of the extravagant “Pran Pratishta’ ceremony, which will take place on January 22.

On Monday, the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is set to kick start from January 15–19 in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF will host dialogue sessions with political leaders, business executives, academics, and other influential figures to discuss and address pressing global issues.

At the WEF, India will open its first-ever “We Lead” lounge to emphasise the benefits of investing in women’s leadership, which directly strengthens the nation’s economy.

It highlights women leaders, the India Engagement Centre, pavilions by Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, and the IT majors from Wipro, TCS, Infosys, and HCLTech demonstrating the potential of AI and technology.

It will focus on India’s part in the “We Lead” Lounge and India’s journey in women-led development. Additionally, to support the women’s leadership, it would organise a variety of gender-related discussions and also host a fireside chat on “investing in women.”.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani will inaugurate the WeLead Lounge as part of the Indian delegation. The Ministry of Women and Child Development will oversee it with assistance from the Confederation of Indian Industry, which is funded along with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have discovered a 22 million-year-old mangrove forest on Barro Colorado Island. The mysterious forest reportedly vanished from the earth due to a massive volcanic eruption in the Panama Canal. This catastrophe destroyed the forest but kept the fossils intact, with its silica-rich waters preventing decomposition.

The forest consisted of Sonneratioxylin barrocoloradoensis mangrove species, which grew to a height of 82 feet, and the tallest specimen could grow up to 131 feet which easily outspace the modern mangrove forests in height. The 121 fossilised wood specimens were found on the island, along with the mangrove forest, whose wood anatomy indicates its similarity to Southeast Asian mangroves. Sedimentary samples taken from the island show that ancient mangroves flourished in a setting where fresh and sea waters mixed.

The missing forest dates back to the early Miocene Epoch, approximately 23 million years ago. Intense volcanic activity was present in central Panama during this time when the region was a long, narrow peninsula that was separated from South America yet connected to North America.

The researchers published a study documenting their discovery in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, and Palaeoecology.

In a historic and grand ceremony, Denmark welcomed its new monarch, King Frederik X, marking a new era in the Danish monarchy. The ascension of Frederik X comes after the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who had reigned for over five decades, making her one of Europe’s longest-serving monarchs. The transition of power, steeped in tradition and modernity, signifies a new chapter for the Danish royal family and the nation at large.

Born Crown Prince Frederik André Henrik Christian, Frederik X has been a familiar face in the royal family, known for his dedication to public service and his role in the Danish military. Educated at prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, and trained in the Danish Navy, he has long been groomed for the role of king. His marriage to Mary Donaldson, an Australian marketing consultant, in 2004, was a fairy-tale event that captured the hearts of people both in Denmark and around the world.

The coronation ceremony, held at the historic Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, was a blend of solemn religious traditions and contemporary Danish culture. Dignitaries, royalty from around the world, and thousands of Danes gathered to witness the historic event. The streets of Copenhagen were adorned with Danish flags, and the air was filled with a sense of national pride and excitement.

In his inaugural speech, King Frederik X emphasized his commitment to serving the Danish people and continuing the legacy of his predecessors. He spoke about the importance of unity, sustainability, and innovation, reflecting Denmark’s progressive values. The new king also acknowledged the challenges of the modern world, including climate change and social inequality, and expressed his desire to address these issues during his reign.

In a proactive move to enhance the nation’s disaster preparedness, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced plans to double the country’s budget reserves dedicated to earthquake relief efforts. This decision underscores Japan’s commitment to strengthening its response capabilities in the face of potential seismic disasters.

Japan, located in one of the most seismically active regions in the world, has a long history of devastating earthquakes. The memory of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent tsunami is still fresh in the minds of many. This tragedy highlighted the need for robust and immediate response mechanisms to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters.

Prime Minister Kishida’s announcement comes as part of a broader strategy to bolster Japan’s disaster resilience. By increasing the budget reserves, the government aims to ensure that sufficient funds are readily available for immediate relief efforts, reconstruction, and support for affected communities in the event of a major earthquake.

The increased budget will be allocated to various aspects of earthquake response, including emergency services, infrastructure repair, and support for evacuees. Additionally, a portion of the funds is expected to be used for enhancing early warning systems and public awareness campaigns, which are crucial for reducing casualties and damage.

This move has been widely welcomed by experts and the public alike, as it demonstrates the government’s proactive stance in prioritizing the safety and well-being of its citizens. Investing in disaster preparedness and response not only saves lives but also helps in reducing the long-term economic impact of such catastrophic events.

The decision to double the earthquake relief budget also aligns with Japan’s ongoing efforts to improve its overall disaster management system. The country is known for its advanced earthquake engineering and stringent building codes, which have significantly reduced the damage caused by earthquakes in recent years. However, the unpredictable nature of seismic events means that there is always room for improvement.

In a strategic move reflecting the deepening ties between the United Kingdom and India, the UK has announced its plan to deploy warships, including an aircraft carrier, for joint training exercises in the Indian Ocean. This collaborative initiative underscores the commitment of both nations to enhancing maritime security, promoting regional stability, and fostering a robust defense partnership. The decision to deploy a formidable naval presence in the Indian Ocean is a significant development in the evolving defense collaboration between the UK and India. As geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region continue to evolve, this joint training endeavor not only strengthens bilateral ties but also sends a clear message about the shared commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The centerpiece of the UK’s deployment is the aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, a symbol of British naval power. The carrier, equipped with a state-of-the-art complement of aircraft, will participate in joint exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding between the naval forces of both nations.

The joint training program is expected to involve multinational exercises, providing an opportunity for naval forces from various countries to collaborate on scenarios ranging from disaster response to counter-piracy operations. This collective approach fosters a collaborative security architecture, contributing to the safety and well-being of the Indian Ocean region.

With an emphasis on maritime security, the joint training will focus on enhancing the capabilities of both navies in safeguarding critical sea lanes, combating piracy, and responding effectively to emerging security challenges. Additionally, the collaboration aims to address shared concerns about counterterrorism and transnational threats in the maritime domain.