Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended heartfelt Lohri greetings to the nation, saying that he hopes this festival brings immense happiness to everyone. In a post on X, Kharge said, "Many congratulations to all of you on Lohri. Hearty greetings to all the countrymen on the sacred festival of Lohri. This festival, which joyfully celebrates the harvest after the tireless hard work of our farmers, is a symbol of prosperity and wealth. I hope this festival brings immense happiness in the life of all of you." Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartfelt greetings to the citizens of the nations on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu. Extending her greetings, the President wished for happiness and prosperity in the life of every person on these holy festivals. President Murmu stated that these festivals are a symbol of our rich cultural heritage and unity in diversity and are celebrated in different regions of India to express respect for nature. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday extended greetings on Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Magha Bihu and Pongal. These festivals, each uniquely celebrated across India's diverse landscapes, represent its age-old tradition of honouring the harvest season, he said. "May the sacred flames of Lohri and Magha Bihu dispel all adversity, may the soaring kites of Makar Sankranti fill our hearts with jubilation, and may the traditional sweetness of Pongal bring forth moments of celebration and happiness," Dhankhar said in a post on X. Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu, Pongal and Lohri are all traditional harvest festivals and share similarities despite being celebrated in different regions. Makar Sankranti is a prominent festival on the Indian calendar, devotees make offerings to the Hindu deity Surya on Makar Sankranti. The day marks the first day of the sun's transit into the Makara, marking the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days. Observed on January 14 every year, the festival is known by various names in different parts of the country such as Pongal, Bihu, and Maghi. Devotees in several parts of the country performed rituals at different ghats. Also known to strengthen the bond of friendship, this festival is all about making khichdi, kite flying, sesame sweets, and coconut laddoos. Makar Sankranti marks a message, that the winter season is now clearly, leaving.
13 January,2025 12:02 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPresident Droupadi Murmu on Monday extended her heartfelt greetings to the citizens of the nations on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu. Extending her greetings, the President wished for happiness and prosperity in the life of every person on these holy festivals. President Murmu stated that these festivals are a symbol of our rich cultural heritage and unity in diversity and are celebrated in different regions of India to express respect for nature. लोहड़ी, मकर संक्रांति, पोंगल और माघ बिहु के शुभ अवसर पर मैं, देश और विदेश में रहने वाले सभी भारतीय लोगों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं देती हूं।ये पर्व हमारी समृद्ध सांस्कृतिक विरासत तथा विविधता में एकता के प्रतीक हैं। भारत के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में मनाए जाने वाले ये त्योहार प्रकृति के… — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 13, 2025 Taking to social media post on X, the President of India wrote, "On the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indian people living in the country and abroad. These festivals are a symbol of our rich cultural heritage and unity in diversity. These festivals celebrated in different regions of India express respect for nature. These festivals related to agriculture are also opportunities to express gratitude to our farmers for their tireless hard work. I wish that this holy festival brings happiness and prosperity in the life of every person." Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu, Pongal and Lohri are all traditional harvest festivals and share similarities despite being celebrated in different regions. Makar Sankranti is a prominent festival on the Indian calendar, devotees make offerings to the Hindu deity Surya on Makar Sankranti. The day marks the first day of the sun's transit into the Makara, marking the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days. Observed on January 14 every year, the festival is known by various names in different parts of the country such as Pongal, Bihu, and Maghi. Devotees in several parts of the country performed rituals at different ghats. Also known to strengthen the bond of friendship, this festival is all about making khichdi, kite flying, sesame sweets, and coconut laddoos. Makar Sankranti marks a message, that the winter season is now clearly, leaving. "Hope this festival brings immense happiness to all": Mallikarjun Kharge extends Lohri greetings Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended heartfelt Lohri greetings to the nation, saying that he hopes this festival brings immense happiness to everyone. In a post on X, Kharge said, "Many congratulations to all of you on Lohri. Hearty greetings to all the countrymen on the sacred festival of Lohri. This festival, which joyfully celebrates the harvest after the tireless hard work of our farmers, is a symbol of prosperity and wealth. I hope this festival brings immense happiness in the life of all of you."
13 January,2025 11:56 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAs Maha Kumbh 2025 began in the holy city of Prayagraj on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a very special day for those who cherish Indian values and culture, saying the massive religious event embodies India's timeless spiritual heritage. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharatiya values and culture. Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Maha Kumbh embodies India's timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony." Expressing his happiness at seeing the influx of pilgrims and tourists in Prayagraj, PM Modi wished all pilgrims and tourists a wonderful stay. "I am happy to see Prayagraj abuzz with countless people coming there, taking the holy dip and seeking blessings. Wishing all pilgrims and tourists a wonderful stay," PM Modi said. PM Modi also expressed hope that the Maha Kumbh would bring new energy and enthusiasm into the life of all. "With the bath on Paush Purnima, the Maha Kumbh has begun on the holy land of Prayagraj from today. On this divine occasion related to our faith and culture, I salute and greet all the devotees from my heart. I wish that this huge festival of Indian spiritual tradition brings new energy and enthusiasm in the life of all of you," he said on X. Maha Kumbh 2025, the biggest human gathering in the world saw devotees queuing for the 'Snan' or holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima. Devotees from across the globe have gathered in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to take a holy dip at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers at Triveni Sangam. The first major Shahi or Amrit Snan will get underway on Tuesday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. This year, Maha Kumbh, the largest spiritual gathering in the world, has become more special because of the rare celestial alignment that occurs only once in 144 years. Meanwhile, NDRF teams and water police of Uttar Pradesh Police deployed at places to ensure the safety and security of devotees. Traffic Police authorities have made elaborate arrangements and implemented a detailed plan to ensure smooth vehicular movement and safety for devotees visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela.
13 January,2025 11:50 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUnder the leadership of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Mahakumbh 2025 is all set to offer new and exciting experiences to the visitors. One of the main highlights of the 45-day grand event is the helicopter ride, which would cost just Rs 1,296 per person, which has been significantly reduced from the earlier fare of Rs 3,000. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh mentioned that the seven to eight-minute helicopter ride would begin today with a digital launch. Tourists and devotees would get an unparalleled aerial view of the grand Mahakumbh area, soaring above Prayagraj's majestic landscape. The ride can be booked online through www.upstdc.co.in and will be facilitated by Pawan Hans, an undertaking of the Government of India. Depending on weather conditions and demand, helicopters will operate continuously and ensure a memorable experience for visitors. In addition to this, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Tourism and Culture Department has made preparations to offer an adventurous and exciting experience to tourists interested in water sports and adventure sports. The necessary arrangements have been made at designated locations within the Mahakumbh Mela area. From January 24 to 26, a drone show will take place, along with a water laser show and other thrilling activities. Renowned artists from across the country will perform vibrant shows at various stages set up in Prayagraj. In addition to the laser and drone shows, special programs related to UP Diwas will also be organized. The Ganga Pandal at the Mahakumbh will feature the inaugural performance by Bollywood singer Shankar Mahadevan on January 16. The closing performance will be held by Mohit Chauhan on February 24, 2025. From January 16 to February 24, 2025, a series of star-studded musical performances will take place at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, featuring renowned artists from various genres. The main bathing rituals (Shahi Snan) of the Kumbh will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).
13 January,2025 11:10 AM IST | Prayagraj | ANIA 30-year-old man was arrested, in connection with a case, for allegedly cutting off the udders of three cows in Bengaluru's Vinayaka Nagar, police said, adding that he will be in judicial custody till January 24, ANI reported. As per ANI, the accused has been identified as Syed Nasru (30), a resident of Champaran district of Bihar. According to the police investigation, the accused had committed this act under the influence of alcohol. The police have filed a case under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 and section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Nasru works as a helper in a plastic and cloth bag stitching shop, which is 50 metres away from the place of the incident. No other person is found to be involved in the incident, ANI reported. The cows are presently out of danger after treatment. This comes after Bengaluru police filed a case after an unidentified person allegedly severed the udders of three cows in the Vinayaka Nagar area, officials said on Sunday. As per the police, an FIR has been filed at the Cottonpet police station under Section 325 of the BNS in connection with the incident. The cow owner, Karna, said, "I am deeply upset. The cows were tied near our house at night, and we found out about this cruel act in the morning. We don't know who did this, but we have lodged a complaint with the police. I want justice," ANI cited. The injured cows were taken to the Chamarajpet veterinary hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, BJP leaders and members of different groups and organisations paid a visit to the hospital and strongly condemned the incident, ANI reported. BJP leader and MLC Ravi Kumar said that the cows have lost a lot of blood and requested the government to take strict action. "I urge the government to identify the miscreants and arrest them. I also request the government to provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the owner," he said. Former Karnataka CM and MP Basavaraj Bommai has criticised the alleged severing of the udders of cows in Bengaluru's Vinayaka Nagar, calling it an inhumane act and accused the state government of its failure to protect animals, ANI cited. (With inputs from ANI)
13 January,2025 10:36 AM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondentThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday reported a minimum temperature of 9.6 degrees Celsius, which is 2.2 degrees above the normal for this time of the year. The relative humidity is 99 per cent, with the maximum temperature expected to rise to 19 degrees Celsius later in the day. The IMD has issued a yellow warning for dense fog across the national capital. According to the India Meteorological Department, dense fog conditions are very likely in the Delhi/NCR region and an orange alert was issued regarding the same, reported ANI. According to the India Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature at Delhi's Palam has been recorded at 9.6 degrees Celsius on Monday. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature recorded at Safdarjung recorded 9.4 degrees Celsius today. As cold waves envelop the national capital, several flights are delayed at IGI Airport due to fog. Homeless individuals seek refuge in night shelters in the national capital as the winter chill intensifies in Northern India. Several trains were delayed due to foggy weather conditions today, while some trains have also been cancelled. The Purushottam Express experienced the longest delay of 311 minutes, followed by the Poorva Express, which was delayed by 198 minutes. The Shramjeevi Express and JBP NZM SF Express reported delays of 197 minutes and 187 minutes, respectively, reported ANI. Other affected trains included the Rajendra Nagar Patna Tejas Express (124 minutes), YPR Dee Duronto Express (154 minutes), and Suhaildev Express (105 minutes), reported ANI. Additionally, the air quality index recorded in the national capital at 7 am today was 282, categorised as 'poor,' according to the data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per recent data, the air quality index (AQI) at Jahangirpuri recorded a high of 346, while Nehru Nagar registered an alarming 345. Patparganj reported an AQI of 344, closely followed by North Campus, Delhi University, at 314. Similarly, Narela and Mandir Marg recorded AQI levels of 313 and 308, respectively. Mundka showed an AQI of 297, with Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 293. Lodhi Road reported moderate levels, with readings of 233 (IMD) and 181 (IITM). NSIT Dwarka recorded a relatively lower AQI of 125. An AQI rating is categorised as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe). (With inputs from ANI)
13 January,2025 10:28 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentWelcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. Nifty, Sensex decline by around 0.9% in opening trade Indian stock markets continued their downward trend on Monday, with bears dominating the opening session. The Nifty 50 index opened under pressure, declining by over 1 per cent or 236.10 points to start at 23,195.40. Similarly, the BSE Sensex witnessed a drop of 749.01 points or 0.97 per cent, opening at 76,629.90. Mid-Day Investigation | From factory to feet: Tracing the journey of fake sneakers There has been a frenzy surrounding the sale of branded sneakers on Instagram, with people rushing to grab the best pair, often without verifying the authenticity of the shoes, despite sellers’ claims of legitimacy. To investigate, undercover reporters from mid-day logged into various online platforms and contacted several sellers, uncovering an extensive network of counterfeit sneaker vendors operating out of Agra. Astonishingly, as the investigation deepened, it was revealed that nearly every house in the area doubles as a factory outlet for mass-producing counterfeit sneakers at throwaway prices. Read more. Mumbai: What is behind Shivaji Park dust nuisance? The addition of poor-quality soil during a 2021 beautification project at Shivaji Park has turned the iconic ground into a dust bowl, sparking complaints from residents. The red soil layer, blamed for the dust pollution, continues to plague the area as the BMC delays its decision to remove it. A proposal to level the ground and address the issue has been pending since December 2024, leaving citizens frustrated and choking in the meantime. Read more. Sunny day for Mumbai cricket captains at Wankhede Bombay, My Bombay is a chapter in batting legend Sunil Gavaskar’s autobiography Sunny Days, released in late 1976 long before the city of his birth changed to Mumbai. The penultimate chapter of the bestselling book consisted of Gavaskar’s views on why the city is such a formidable force in the willow game. Read more. Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Punjab 95 to release without any cuts After multiple reports of the edits demanded by the Central Board of Film Certification for the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer film Punjab 95 hit headlines, the wife of Jaswant Singh Khalra—on whom the film is based—was evidently irate. Paramjit Kaur Khalra had condemned the censor board’s demand for 120 cuts, stating that the biopic on her husband’s life was made with the family’s consent, and should be released without changes. Now, mid-day hears that the film on the social activist is finally headed to screens sans any cuts, following a string of measures taken by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Read more.
13 January,2025 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spent around six hours with young leaders at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue on National Youth Day held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. In a unique initiative, PM Modi also had lunch with the young leaders and had insightful discussions at the lunch table. Young girls from the northeast region also interacted with the PM during lunch. PM Modi then saw ten presentations by the young leaders on varied topics, presenting innovative ideas ranging from sustainable development to integrating technology with Agriculture to make India a manufacturing and startup hub. Around 3,000 young minds from across the country participated in these discussions where PM Modi also presented some ideas of his own and shared his insights with the young leaders. During his speech, the PM called upon the youth to take ownership of the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' and emphasized their important role in shaping the country's future. "Setting and achieving big goals is not just the work of the government machinery alone. Every citizen should contribute to these objectives. Lakhs of people have joined this mission. The ownership of the 'Viksit Bharat' is not just mine but yours too," the PM said. The Young Leaders Dialogue is a great example of youth-led efforts. My heart is filled with pride that my country's youth is so intelligent," he added. Highlighting the role of young minds in shaping the nation's future, the Prime Minister assured them that their ideas would be integral to building a developed India. "India's youth are not limited by closed AC rooms. Their vision soars higher than the sky. Their ideas will be incorporated into policies and will steer the country towards the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'," he said. During the Dialogue, which started on January 11, the young leaders engaged in competitions, activities, and cultural and thematic presentations. It also includes deliberations on the themes led by mentors and domain experts. There will also be cultural performances showcasing India's artistic heritage while symbolizing its modern advancements. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 January,2025 08:18 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIRailway Board Chairman Satish Kumar talked about the preparations made for the Mahakumbh, saying that attention has been paid to the infrastructure of the railway stations. "A lot of attention has been paid to the infrastructure of the railway stations. We have built new stations. We will run around 13,000 trains including the special and regular trains. This time 10,000 regular and 3,000 special trains will run.." Kumar told ANI. He further said that around 1,146 CCTV have been installed at all the stations. "We have installed around 1,1476 CCTV at the stations. We are very satisfied with the improvements in the infrastructure. We will be making announcements in around 12 languages at the stations. There have been arrangements made for the elderly people as well.." he further said. Executive Director of the Information and Publicity, Railway Board, Dilip Kumar said that 40 crore people were expected to come and take bath in the Triveni Sangam. "40 crore people are planned to come and take bath in Sangam. In view of that, extensive preparation has been done by the Indian Railways. Nine of our stations in the Prayagraj area have been redeveloped. New roads over bridges have been constructed... We have paid entire focus on providing maximum facilities to the passengers.." said Kumar. North Central Railway CPRO Shashi Kant Tripathi said, "We had started our preparations for the Mahakumbh two years ago. We are ready to welcome the people. As far as the Mela special trains are concerned, pur long distance trains had started from January 1. More than 80 mela special trains will be running. Passengers can also buy their tickets from the counters in the Mela area to plan their journey.." Earlier, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Railways had invested Rs 5,000 crore over the last three years to enhance the infrastructure for the festival, including new platforms, doubled railway lines, and improved facilities to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. "In the last three years, we have been preparing for the Maha Kumbh, and railways have invested about Rs 5,000 crores in creating new infrastructure and improving the existing infrastructure. This includes doubling of the lines, creating new platforms, and high-quality holding areas. A new bridge has also been constructed on the Ganga Ji," Vaishnaw told reporters. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 January,2025 08:16 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIFive people died and 17 others were injured after a bus fell into a ditch in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal on Sunday, officials said. According to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the accident took place near Dahalchauri where the bus went out of control and fell into a 100 meters deep gorge. The bus, with 22 passengers on board, was en route to Dahalchauri from Pauri, they said, adding that four people died on the spot while another succumbed later. Eight of the injured have been referred to a higher health center in Srinagar in critical condition. Pauri DM Ashish Chauhan has directed the officials of the Transport Department to investigate the causes of the accident. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the accident and also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 January,2025 08:12 AM IST | Dehradun | AgenciesSupporters of Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav staged demonstrations across Patna as part of a ‘Bihar Bandh’ to protest alleged irregularities in the recently held Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam, disrupting traffic movement in several areas of the capital city. They gathered near Patna Science College and attempted to stop vehicles to enforce the bandh. Yadav’s supporters also burnt effigies of top officials of the Bihar Public Service Commission on Ashok Rajpath, demanding cancellation of the combined competitive exam held on December 13 last year. “Adequate security personnel have been deployed at different locations in the city to ensure smooth movement of vehicles. As of now, things are completely under control,” Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said. Jan Suraaj party founder Prashant Kishor has also been observing a fast unto death to press the demand for cancellation of the December 13 examination. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 January,2025 08:06 AM IST | Patna | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
