World TB Day

Every year World Tuberculosis Day is observed to make people aware about the epidemic - Tuberculosis as it is considered still in some parts of the world. Tuberculosis causes nearly 1.6 million deaths every year around the planet. World Tuberculosis Day has been celebrated on March 24 each year. In 1882 Dr Robert Koch thunderstruck the scientific community by announcing that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus on March 24.

At the time of Koch's announcement TB was raging through Europe and the Americas and one out of every seven people was costing his life to the dreaded disease.

Koch's discovery opened the way toward diagnosing and curing tuberculosis and was awarded Nobel Prize for his discovery.

In 1982, on the one-hundredth anniversary of Dr Koch's presentation, the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) proposed that March 24 be proclaimed as an official World TB Day.

In an effort to curb Tuberculosis, South Africans are given financial help for six months of time necessary for treatment.

World TB Day is about commemorating the lives and stories of people that are affected by TB and has taken a treatment for it; nurses; doctors; researchers; community workers who has put in global fight against TB.

The government organizes Health education campaigns to inform on the importance of early diagnosis and Regular treatment for the patients. A screening programme to early detect the disease is also organized. Various other events like seminar and exhibition on tuberculosis are held with an aim to impart knowledge on all aspects of TB.

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that is infectious in nature. The causual bacterium is named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The first prey to TB is an individual’s lungs but it can involve almost any organ of the body.

A person can become infected with tuberculosis bacteria when he or she inhales the bacteria present in the air when somebody already infected with tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, shouts, or spits. When the inhaled tuberculosis bacteria enter the lungs, they can multiply and cause a local lung infection (pneumonia).

The local lymph nodes of the lungs may also get infected and become enlarged. Tuberculosis can be treated successfully today with antibiotics.

You can prevent yourself from disease and keep yourself healthy by eating loads of fruits and vegetables, exercising daily, stopping the consumption of alcohol and smoking.

You can help to prevent the spread of TB by covering your mouth if you are coughing and sneezing, keeping windows in houses, taxis, buses and other places open for movement of fresh air, not spitting on the ground and not stopping your TB treatment and medication even if you are sense better.

World Water Day

Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface. A single cell of Escherichia coli contains 70% of water, a human body 60–70%, plant body up to 90% and the body of an adult jellyfish is made up of 94–98% water.

Thus it can be said that the colourless and odourless damsel forms an integral part of one’s life. Water is also considered as a symbol of purification. International World Water Day is held every twelve months to focus the attention on the importance of freshwater and to promote sustainable management of freshwater resources.

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) decided to observe an international day to celebrate freshwater in 1992 and thus the first World Water Day was observed on 22 March 1993.

World Water Day is celebrated every year with a new theme highlighting an explicit aspect of freshwater.

Today one in every eight people in the world don’t get pure water inspite of spending hours by women and children in collecting water from distant resources.

This day gives an opportunity to remember our commitment to achieve the day when everyone in the world can have safe drinking water and also to celebrate the progress of bringing about 3 lakh people in eight countries clean water and sanitation.

Themes of World Water Day Yester Years

World Water Day is celebrated every year with a new theme highlighting an explicit aspect of freshwater. One of various UN agencies involved in water issues lead in promotion and coordination of international activities for World Water Day each year. UN-Water has been responsible for selecting the theme and messages since the inception of World Day for Water in 2003.

2010: Clean Water for a Healthy World

2009: Transboundary Waters

2008: Sanitation

2007: Coping With Water Scarcity

2006: Water and Culture

2005: Water for Life 2005-2015

2004: Water and Disasters

2003: Water for Future

2002: Water for Development

2001: Water for Health

2000: Water for the 21st Century

1999: Everyone Lives Downstream

1998: Groundwater - The Invisible Resource          

1997: The World's Water: Is there enough?
1996: Water for Thirsty Cities
1995: Women and Water

 

Bhogali Bihu

"…Bihu anondia, Bihu binondia
Bihur mou mitha mat
Bihur ba lagi bihua kokair
Deu dhoni lagise gat…"

(Bihu is full of joy, Bihu is beautiful, Bihu songs are very sweet, when the winds of Bihu flow. The dancing spirit possesses one's body).

Bihu is the most celebrated festival of Assam. It is a festival that transcends all religious and class barriers bringing people together in a free and uninhabited manner.

The festival of Bihu is celebrated with much pomp and fervour during different periods of the year. These are the festivals of food that mark the three stages of cultivation, i.e. beginning of the agricultural season, completion of transplantation and end of the harvesting season.

These festivals are celebrated by all people of various states irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Bihu is secular in concept because it is associated with agriculture.

Three forms of Bihu are celebrated in Assam: Bohag Bihu, celebrated in the middle of April which marks the New Year (In Assamese calendar) at the advent of seeding time; Kati Bihu, celebrated in the middle of October which marks the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies; Magh Bihu, celebrated in the middle of January which marks the end of the harvesting period.

Magh Bihu:

Out of the three bihus, Magh Bihu is celebrated by the people of Assam with much enjoyment and happiness as it marks the ending of harvesting and people are at ease after a long labourious harvesting period.

Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu, celebrated in mid-January, originates from the word 'Bhog' and signifies eating and enjoyment. It is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting season.

There is a lot of feasting and eating in this bihu celebration as the fields are full. On the eve of the bihu, called 'uruka', young men go to the field, preferably near a river, build a makeshift cottage called 'Bhelaghar' with the hay of the harvest fields and the 'Meji', the most important thing for the night. During the night, people prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. The entire night (Uruka) is spent around the Meji with people singing bihu songs, beating 'Dhol', a typical kind of drums or playing games.

The next day is the main Magh Bihu. In the very early morning, people take bath and burn the main 'Meji'. People gather around the 'Meji' and throw 'Pithas' (rice cakes) and betel nuts to the fire while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Next day is followed with community celebrations all across with rice cakes being distributed to all. People visit relatives and friends to convey and exchange Bihu greetings.

A peculiarity of this festival is that in some parts of the state the traditional "Buffalo Fight" is organized to make the festival more interesting. 

Agni Utsav

Introduction:

The state of Orissa celebrates many festivals with lots of religious fervor and a splash of colors juxtaposed with celebration styles varying from district to district and tribe to tribe. One such festival named Agni Utsav is also celebrated the same way in different parts of the state.

Celebration

Agni Utsav is the festival mainly celebrated by the farmers of Orissa. The festival holds special importance for farmers as rituals associated with the festival are believed to be helpful for farmers. Many prior preparations are made for the festival. Whole family get indulge in the planning for the festival.

Females of the family start cleaning their houses, a week before the festival and males collect straws to be burn on the Agni Utsav day. The entire village is cleaned by the people before the Agni Utsav.

As per the name of the festival, “Agni” the fire is worshipped on the day and large bundles of dried grasses or straw heaps are burnt on this festival.

On the day of Agni Utsav, the gathered straws from each family are collected in the village making huge heaps of hay.

Then, all people gather in village and the heap of straws is burnt with a fire.

All people gather and see the hay burning while enjoying together with family and friends.

Significance:

Farmers in Orissa believe that burning heap of dried grass on the day of Agni Utsav help them to predict about their crops in the coming year. The straw heaps are burnt and the direction of the straw while burning is believed to predict the next year's crop. Following predictions are made on the basis of direction of flame:

• An eastward tilt reflects high tides and entry of saline waters into the fields.
• A westward tilt predicts floods
• A tilt towards the Northeast means good crops.

Time for Celebration:

Agni Utsav is generally celebrated in Mid January to Mid February every year.The date of festival keeps changing every year.

Army Day

Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificied their lives to protect our country and the people living in it. The day is celebrated on January 15 every year. On this day in 1948 Lieutenant General K. M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief.

Army played equally important role as the other freedom fighters in instilling democratization in India.

General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa shared a good bonding with both natives and Britishers and then succeeded General Roy Butcher of British Army to become the first Indian Commander in Chief of the democratic India.

The Indian Army fights adversities on borders as well as with natural calamities. The Army works with true dedication and spirit of the motto ‘fight to win’.

Celebration

Indian army will celebrate its 62nd anniversary on January 15, 2010 as Army Day. The Army re-dedicates itself to become a part of the ‘War Winning Team’ on this day. The day begins with paying homage to the martyred soldiers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate, New Delhi. It is followed by parades and many military shows which feature the technology and achievements in Army are being held at the Delhi Cantonment. Unit credentials and Sena Medals were also presented for gallantry on the occasion.

Time to Celebrate

India will celebrate its 62nd Army day on January 15. Every year the day is celebrated on the same date.

Arattupuzha Pooram

Introduction:

This festival is the oldest and most extravagant of all the poorams celebrated in Kerala, thus is may rightly be called ‘big daddy’ of festivals. The festival is celebrated at the famous Arattupuzha temple in Thrissur district of Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.

The celebration takes place before the 3,000 year old Sree Sastha Temple. The occasion is known as conclave of Gods.

It is believed that on this day hundred and one gods and goddesses of the neighbouring villages visited lord Ayyappa, the deity of the Arattupuzha Temple.

The festival is celebrated for seven days. All the buildings of the town were beautifully illuminated by strings of colourful bulbs.


Arattupuzha pooram is the largest devamela in the world. A group of elephants and musicians performing in front of the temple is a common sight during the whole festival.

 Many palmists, small vendors etc. are also there. The festival falls in March/April.


On the fifth day of the festival, a procession is held in which drummers, and eight elephants accompany the beautiful elephant carrying idols (‘thidambu’) of 23 deities, including Thripayar Thevar, Oorakathamma Thiruvadi, Cherppil Bhagavathy, Chathakudam Sastha, Anthikad Bhagavathy, Thottipal Bhagavathy, Pisharikkal Bhagavathy, Edakkunni Bhagavathy, Ayyunnil Bhagavathy,Thaikkattussery Bhagavathy, Kaduppassery Bhagavathy, Choorakkottu Bhagavathy, Poonilarkkavil Bhagavathy, Kattupisharikkal Bhagavathy, Chakkamkulangara Sastha, Kodannur Sastha, Nankulam Sastha, Sreemattil Sastha, Nettissery Sastha, Kalloli Sastha, Chittichathakkudam Sastha and Medamkulam Sastha.

The idol of the deity of the Arattupuzha Sastha temple is taken to the Thottipal temple. It is brought back after the Thottipal Pooram to the Sastha temple and then regular rituals and ‘Sreebhoothabali’ are performed.


An elephant peagent is held on the sixth day which features beautifully ornamented 61 elephants. There were huge crowd of people bearing glowing traditional torches, some were dancing, singing and Panchavadyam, nadaswaram, pacharimelam and pandimelam add to the festive tempo. Lord Ayyappa is given holy bath (arattu) with great pomp and gaiety in the Arattupuzha river on the subsequent day.


The caparisoned elephants bear muthukkudas (silken umbrella) and venchamarams (white tufts) make a delightful sight. Traditional art forms are displayed here. The dazzling fire works bedazzle the onlookers with the beauty of sparks which are like jewels embellished in the darkness of night. This sight is amazing! ‘Grama Bali’ is performed. An elephant race is also held.


This colourful festival attracts spectators from all parts of the state. The ceremonial processions of the images of the deities from 41 neighboring temples to the Arattupuzha temple make it a unique festival.

Time to celebrate


Arattupuzha pooram is the largest devamela in the world. The festival falls in March/April or Meenam month according to Malyalam calendar. The festival is celebrated for seven days.

How to reach


By Road


Trichur is well connected with all important places and cities. The KSRTC bus station, near the railway station operates long distance and inter-state services. Sakthan Thampuran bus stand is 1 km away from town.


By Rail


Trichur is an important railhead of the Southern Railways. It is connected with all the major cities of India.


By Air


The nearest airport is at Nedumbassery which is 58 kms away from the town.

Attuvela Mahotsavam

The Attuvela Mahotsavam is a grandiose water carnival as opposed to many of usual temple festivals celebrated in God’s own country, Kerala where elephants play an important role and is a centre of attraction.

The festival is continued for two days. The Attuvela Mahotsavam is associated with the Elankavu Bhagavathy temple, sited at Vadayar village 3 kilometers far from Vaikom, of Kottayam district in Kerala. Goddess Bhagavathy is installed and worshipped in this temple. The festival is celebrated in ‘Meenam’ month of Malyalam calendar which corresponds to March-April of Gregorian calendar.

The Goddess of Elamkavu is believed to be the sister of Kodungallur Bhagavathy. According to the legend associated with the festival that this day celebrates the welcome ceremony for the Kodungallur Bhagavathy to Elankavu who came to visit the goddess here.

Elamkavu Bhagavathy temple is a visual treat to the eyes of the visitors during festival time. A procession of devotees carrying beautifully decorated and warmly lit canoes, and huge colourful replica of the Elankavu temple navigate down the river Moovattupuzha waters. 

In addition, the procession is also accompanied by hordes of festooned small canoes and traditional temple music. This water procession starts from the Attuvela kadavu, 2 kilometers away from the temple.

Getting there:

Vaikom is between Ernakulam (30 km) and Kottayam (40 km).

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Ernakulam which is about 30 km away from Vaikom.

By Air

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is about 50 km away.

Time to celebrate

The festival is celebrated in ‘Meenam’ month of Malyalam calendar which corresponds to March-April of Gregorian calendar. In 2010 the festival will fall on 19 March.

La Tomatina Festival

La Tomatina festival Valencia is held every year in the town of Buñol which is a short journey away from the city of Valencia. It's held on the last Wednesday in August so this year it will be held on 30 August 2006.
 

For those coming to this crazy and very bizarre event make sure you wear something old. Even better, bring a change of clothes and a pair of goggles so you can have more fun!

The days events begin with a whole ham being tied to a greased pole and you guessed it! Before the event begins, someone must retrieved the ham.

This is followed by absolute mayhem when millions of tons of tomatoes are released from the backs of trucks. What follows is an absolute orgy of tomatoe, water and shirt fights - all in good fun!

The event is free and starts at 11.00am. .

The origin of this fun-filled event began during a festival in 1945 in the town square of Buñol. 

The procession included many 'Gigantes y Cabezudos' (giant carnival figures with grotesque heads) and everyone was having fun. Many of the young people tried to join those at the head of the procession and in their haste someone fell. 

The scuffles that followed spilled over into an enormous brawl and an open crate of tomatoes (which just 'happened' to be there) proved too tempting - the rest is history!

The young people of Buñol repeated the 'battle of tomatoes' the following year and although the authorities tried to stop it they had no choice but to give in.

The event ignited so much passion from the surrounding areas that everyone came to join in the fun.

The town of Buñol is now well and truly on the map. People flock from all over the world to enjoy this annual festival of slush and fun which really is a child's (and many adults!) dream come true.

Safety Tips for La Tomatina Festival Valencia

There are a few safe-guards such as a set of rules which all participants must respect and abide by.

For example, 'tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown so they can't hurt anybody'.

The town of Buñol is easily reached from Estació del Nord which is in the centre of Valencia.

It's a good idea to get there as early as possible so as not to miss the fun. 

Trains can get very crowded and run approximately every hour to Buñol. 

We'd love to know how you enjoyed La Tomatina Festival Valencia so please feel free to send your messages (and pics) to our 'Contact Us' page.

Aadiperrukku

Aadiperukku or Padinettam Perukku or the 'Flood of the Eighteenth' 

Place and community

Aadiperukku is celebrated only in the Kaveri delta.

Month

This festival is called Aadiperukku since the river swells on the 18th day of the month of Adi.

Description

The people of Tamil Nadu celebrate monsoon through this festival. This festival is called the ‘Flood of the Eighteenth’ as the water of the Kaveri river rises on the 18th day of the month of Adi i.e. during July and August. This festival is also therefore known as Aadiperukku.

The river Kaveri holds a lot of significance to the people of Tamil Nadu especially those living near the delta. The primary occupation of most of the people living there is agriculture. As a result the river has a direct impact on the economy of the place.

Adi is the month for planting seeds and vegetation. The increased water levels along the Kaveri basin in Thanjavur and Tiruchirapalli districts contribute significantly to the rice cultivation of the area.

People celebrate this occasion by offering chitrannam or rice cooked in different flavors, colors and ingredients to the river-goddess.

Aadiperukku is a festival of fertility and people of Tamil Nadu especially women offer prayers. They wear new clothes and perform abhishekham for Kaveri amman.

Some even buy jewelry. It is a day when people worship the river and light special lamps along the river side. This day also holds special significance for the newly weds as the bride is brought to her parents home and stays on for the month of Adi.

On Adi Pathinettu, the bride is reunited with her husband and sent back to her in-laws with gifts and new clothes.  

Moatsu Festival

The North-eastern state of Nagaland is a vibrant hilly locale that is sheltered by Myanmar in the East; Assam in the West; Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the North with Manipur in the south. The state is a home for many tribal communities. Nagaland is rich in traditions and cultural heritage.

One of the tribal communities Ao tribe celebrates Moatsu Festival in the first week of May every year. Various rituals are performed during this period. Moatsü Mong is observed after the sowing is done. It gives an opportunity for recreation and entertainment to flex the muscles after the weeklong stressful work of harvesting, ploughing and sowing seeds, cleaning up the Tsubu (Wells) and repairs and construction of houses by elders of the Putu Menden. The environment becomes vibrant and lively during Moatsu festival by peppy songs and dances on the pulsating music by the tribal men and women.

The joy and fun of festival continues for full three days. The ritual called Sangpangtu in which camp fire is lit and the well-dressed folks sit around it are served wine and meat forms an intricate part of the festival. A virtuous man who claims to have directed by the Almighty forecast about good and bad days of natives and village.

Best rice-beer is prepared and the best breed of pigs and cows are slaughtered for the feast during the festival. The womenfolk and men folk enjoy the festivity by participation in eating, dancing, drinking and singing songs in praise of fighters and love with gusto.

Ravindranath Jayanti

Ravindra Jayanti is the day which marks the birth anniversary of the great scholar and novelist Rabindranath Tagore. Birthday of the poet laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore is celebrated on 25th day of Baisakh. In Kolkatta it is popularly called Poncheeshe Boishakh and is celebrated ceremoniously and jauntiness all across West Bengal. According to Gregorian calendar Ravindra Jayanti is celebrated on 8th or 9th may every year in the month of May. Homage is paid to Rabindranath on this day.

The celebration of Rabindra Jayanti is among the important festivals for Bengalis there. Cultural shows and poetry recitations are organized throughout the city by and for Rabindranath lovers. All cultural activities during the Jayanti are held at Jorasanko Thakurbari. Music, skits, dramas, traditional songs and dances are performed in institutes and theatres are followed by the distribution of awards.

Jorasanko Thakurbari and Rabindra Sadan is the main venue of all cultural activities during Ravindra Jayanti. The celebration continues from dawn to dusk.

It is celebrated with equal fervour at Shantiniketan, the university started by Rabindranath Tagore.

Rabindra Nath Tagore/ Rabindranath Thakur




Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta in an affluent Brahmin family. Rabindranath was the youngest sibling of the family. An eminent poet, visual artist, playwright, novelist, and composer Rabindranath Tagore gave a new dimension to Indian literature and music in late 19th and early 20th centuries. He became Asia's first laureate winner of the most prestigious award Nobel Prize in1913.

Tagore composed novels, short stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays on political and personal topics. His best works Gitanjali, Gora and Ghare-Baire owed him worldwide acclaim. Tagore brought a cultural reform who modernized art by strictly adhering to classical Indian forms. His composition ‘Jana Gana Mana’ has been adopted as national anthem of India and yet another great composition by him ‘Amar Shonar Bangla’ is acclaimed the national anthem of Bangladesh. The lyrics of his songs have a charm of their own and cast a spell on everyone.

His works are an exclusive blend of Indian poetry and pious theology. Tagore took his ideas of great scholarly works from the Vedas and Upanishads. A soothing mixture of Indian classic music and popular folklore of Bengal has been attributed to him and is called as Rabindra-Sangeet.

Time for Celebration

Ravindra Jayanti is celebrated on 8th or 9th may every year in the month of May according to the Gregorian calendar. It is also called as Poncheeshe Boishakh in keeping with the Bengali calendar. Rabindra Jayanti is celebrated as joyfully as any major festival in Kolkatta.