National Girl Child Day

24^th January is celebrated as the National Girl Child Day every year. This was started by earlier government in the year 2008. It appears neither the programme was conceived correctly nor its implementation brought any results till today. It appears the objectives of the celebration of the Girl Child Day was only to enhance the image of the Nehru Gandhi Dynasty. We have seen over the past few years that many such initiatives have proved to be counter-productive.

Actually the subject is far more serious than the conception of the programme and activities normally followed. Symbolic activities to address a problem which is far more serious should have no place in the society today.

There should be concentrated efforts to ensure that girls must be provided education. All facilities should be granted. More than that, there should be initiation programme to emphasis our cultural traditions. In Hindu tradition a lady is respected as an embodiment of knowledge, wealth and power.

When we do Saraswati Puja knowledge comes easier than ever. Likewise Mata Lakshmi brings wealth. When we want to evoke power to destroy the evil in the society we prayed to Durga Mata.

Devi Pujan is practiced in all the states of the country. This is also unifying force. At many Devi temples people of all castes and sects come to pray. Invariably their prayers are answered.

It’s important for the government to do all what it can to empower women. She is the mother of all creation.

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JAI MATA DI

Makar Sankranti

According to the Gregorian Calendar Makar Sankranti is celebrated every year on 14^th January. There are only rare exceptions when the festival is celebrated on 13^th or 15^th January. Most of the other Hindu festivals fall on different dates.

                                       Til Gul Ladu

Gul Poli

It is a festival to celebrate harvest. In many parts of the country this harvest festival is celebrated with lot of activities. The great thing about Hindu festivals is that they promote social interaction. Makar Sankranti is no exception. In Maharashtra the festival is celebrated by exchanging sweets. Halwa and Til Gul Ladu are particularly prepared on this day. Gulachi Poli which is a delicacy a served during lunch. Gulachi Poli is a traditional Indian bread-chapati/paratha with a difference that there is filling of ground till, besan(gram flour) and lot of pure ghee. People greet each other with ‘Til Gul Ghya Ani Goad Goad Bola’- promoting better interpersonal relationship. Haldi Kunku is distributed among married women. The gifts of utensils, clothes and sweets are exchanged.

Makar Sankranti is also an auspicious occasion on which Sun God is revered. Millions of people take bath in Holi Rivers. Ganga Sagar where river Ganges flow into the Bay of Bengal is particularly popular.

In Tamil Nadu the festival is known as Pongal and is celebrated by preparing lots of sweets and Tamilian dishes. These are served on planten leaves. Another marked feature of this festival is that people fly kites in open spaces. Very decorative and colorful kites are made for the occasion. It is a wonderful festival where people participate with the enthusiasm and gusto.

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Film Actress Nanda.

One of the most expressive faces in Hindi Films was that of Nanda. Her face had a remarkable child like expression. In fact, she started to work in films as a child artist. Her father had died at the young age of 41 so she started working in films as a child artist to support her family.

In 1956 her uncle V. Santaram one of the famous producer of his time gave her a big break by casting her in Toofan Aur Diya in the year 1956. The film was a big hit. Thereafter Nanda featured in films like Bhabhi, Kala Bazar and Dhool Ka Phool.

In the year 1959 she played the title role in L. V. Prasada’s Choti Behen the movie was a big hit. It made her a star. Thereafter she got lead roles in Hum Dono and Teen Deviyaan against popular star Dev Anand. She also got an opportunity to play the lead role in B. R. Chopra’s Kanoon in 1960. A good human being at heart, she is said to have signed as many as 8 films with Shashi Kapoor when he was not a successful actor in Hindi Films. However their film together ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’ was a big hit. This film played a significant role in shaping and bringing success to Shashi Kapoor as a star in Hindi Films.

We remember her on her birthday that is January 8^th. Appreciating all the good work that she had done for Hindi Films.

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