Categories
Festivals Photos

A Holi Close to Our Roots

Heartiest greetings on the colourful occasion of Holi. We all know the importance of Holi as well as the story behind celebrating Holi as well as Holika Dehen. It dates back to very ancient history and mythology when king Hiranyakashayp ordered his son Prahlad to be burnt who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap’s sister Holika consented to accompany Prahlad in the fire as she had a blessing that no fire could ever burn her so as to ensure his demise.  Holika sat on pyre with Prahalad. Holika burnt alive while Prahalad was saved by the Lord.

But now-a-days we are going far away from our roots, our culture. The traditions have either become a formality, or a commercial venture, or rather an extinct or endangered culture. In deep thoughts about the same, I visited a small village/rural area to find out if the culture still alive, and to my surprise, yes it was.

The place I visited was a developing rural area in the interiors of the village Shobhagpura in Udaipur. This remote area witnessed the concrete roads for the first time just before few months. Here all the villagers and other people live in true harmony. I was welcomed by Mr. Gopal Prasad, an independent journalist, who has settled here in search of peace.

It was about 7.15 in the evening; small girls were seen making rangolis near the location. Village ladies and housewives were seen worshipping the structure. Slowly the crowd started to gather, and as happens every year, the worship and rituals were performed by the eldest person living in the village, who fired up the Holika.

Holi in a village

In next few minutes the entire area was filled with light and heat of the huge fire. Mr. Gopal informed that the villagers offer a share of the new harvest of wheat to the fire, and the roasted wheat grains so obtained is distributed to all as the Prasad. Any newborn baby is also made to revolve around the holy fire. It is believed that all the evil forces are burnt away with the fire and the spirit becomes pure and clean.

Eldest member of the Village performing the Rituals
Eldest member of the Village performing the Rituals

Eldest member of the Village performing the Rituals

Holika Dehen Rituals being performed
Holika Dehen Rituals being performed

Holi in a villageHoli in a villageHoli in a village

offering the first harvest of wheat to the fire
Offering the first harvest of wheat to the fire

Finally I was happy on my way back home. All i was taking along with me was not only the roasted wheat grains, but were memories, a warm, friendly welcome at the village, more knowledge about our cultures, and an entirely different Holi to remember for the lifetime.

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Colourful and Safe Holi. Enjoy a lot but remember to Save Water 🙂

Categories
News

Udaipur Witnessed the launch of an upcoming TV Serial on NDTV Imagine

NDTV Imagine launched the serial Beendh Banunga, Ghodi Chadunga today at Udaipur in a press conference. All the four major characters of the serial were present at the moment, and initiated the launching ceremony by enacting few excerpts from the serial.

Artists of the serial (L to R) Khyati Khandke, Jaishree, Anuj Thakur, Nausheen Ali
(L to R) Khyati Khandke, Jaishree, Anuj Thakur, Nausheen Ali

In the press conference the stars from the serial Khyati Khandke, Jaishree, Anuj Thakur, and Nausheen Ali informed that the serial is completely a Rajasthan based story, which is a comedy as well as family drama.

The storyline goes around a boy Jai (Anuj Thakur) who belongs from a very rich Rajasthani family. Being the youngest member of a 22 member joint family, he is also the most beloved person of the family. He is in love with a girl (Jaishree), who wishes to be a doctor. Both the characters are like poles of magnet, always opposite to each other. Boy’s mother wants her daughter-in-law to be a housewife, and always be engaged in kitchen and other households, whereas the girl’s mother wants her daughter to become a successful doctor. But the boy is anyhow crazy after the girl, and always keeps praying to god for hours to get her as his wife.

All the four characters told that every effort has been made to give a Rajasthani touch. The Rajasthani customs, language etc have been made a part of the serial and characters. Many portions of the serial has been shot in many districts of Rajasthan. Many renowned actors such as Himani Shivpuri, Akshay Anand, etc will be seen in the show

“In this show, I am playing the role of a mother, which is quite a new thing for me”

-Nausheen Ali Sardar

“I have always played negative characters, but this time I am playing a positive one. Hence I feel a lot of excitement in being a part of this show.”

–Khyati Khandke

“I am a newborn artist. Hence this show is of great importance to me.”

–Jaishree

“I am playing the role of the main lead Jai in the story. This character is inspired and influenced by masculine and male dominated thoughts. Its my 4th show on the TV.”

–Anuj Thakur

Artists of the serial (L to R) Khyati Khandke, Jaishree, Anuj Thakur, Nausheen Ali
(L to R) Khyati Khandke, Jaishree, Anuj Thakur, Nausheen Ali
Categories
News

Temple established without permission ordered to remove

The Controversial Sai Baba Temple
The Controversial Sai Baba Temple

The Devasthan Department has objected the establishment of the Sai Baba Temple and the business activities at the Barahthji ka chabootra behind Jagdish Chowk. The deptt. declared that Barahthji ka chabootra opposite to the girls school on Jagdish Chowk to Chandpole way is a sole property of the deptt. Three years before, a committee established a shrine of Sai Baba at the place. Since then, there have been many religious meetings at the place, as well has many business activities have also risen up from past few months. The deptt. has issued a notice recently and appealed to stop all such activities with immediate effect, failing which, there will be strict action taken by the deptt.

Categories
News

Ganga Jamuna Saraswati: Udaipur Couple gets Triplet Test Tube Girls

A couple from Lakhawali village,Udaipur, Kesar Singh and his wife Leela Devi have been missing cries of a child in their small family of two,married for the last 18 years. After trying all available options, be it medical or religious, finally, the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) technique came as a blessing for the couple. And for the first time, the family heard the cries of its own child. To a surprise, there wasn’t a single baby, nor two. There were three babies, all girls.

This incident happened on 3rd March when Mrs Leela Devi gave birth to three lovely and healthy children at the R.K. Hospital in Madhuban, Udaipur. Dr. Shewta Agarwal of R.K Hospital, counseled the couple and suggested them to go for IVF or the In Vitro Fertilization process for Test Tube Baby in which egg cells are fertilized by sperm outside the body.

In a press conference, Dr. Shweta Agarawal, test tube baby specialist of R. K. Hospital told that this achievement is nowhere less than achieving a noble prize for herself. She is more happy than even the couple. Dr. Tarun Agarwal was also present at the moment.

Father of the triplet, Mr. Kesar Singh says, that after 18 years, the happiness brought in the family by the R.K. Hospital is above all and they are highly indebted for the same. He adds, the triplet have filled the empty spaces in their life, and now they have no more demands for their life.

(L to R) Dr. Shweta Agarwal, Leela Devi, and Kesar Singh with the triplet
Categories
People

[Women’s Day Special] Salute to a Legend: Mrs Meera Ranawat

A fine morning at Techno NJR knowledge campus, buses bringing students to the college and you see a tall lady welcoming every student with a sweet smile. The ones who have guessed it, yes they are right. She is none other than the sweet, caring, down-to-earth and ever smiling chairperson of the Techno India NJR Institute of Technology, Mrs. Meera Ranawat.

Meera Ranawat
Mrs. Meera Ranawat

Meera Ranawat was born on 17.4.1952 at Merta city (Home town of Meera Bai). She did her schooling at MGD School, Jaipur. In addition to being a good student she was a good sports person and represented her school and college in Basketball. She did her graduation in Arts (B.A.) from Maharani College, Jaipur.

Her husband, Shri J.S. Ranawat, a management graduate, was a corporate executive and worked for Birla group in India and Indonesia, Sigapore and Malaysia. He was GM of a carpet company in Abu Dhabi when he left for heavenly abode on 5.6.2003.

Navdeep, her son, a bright student completed his schooling from St. Columba’s School, Delhi and international school, Jakarta,Indonesia and  did his undergraduate degree in  Telecommunication Engineering from Polytechnic University, NewYork. He subsequently did his M.S. from the same university. He was working with Reuter when he met an accident and left the world in 2001.

It was in memory of her husband and her son, Meera Ranawat established Navdeep Jitendra  Ranawat (NJR) Foundation on 12.6.2003 along with Shri R.S.Vyas, a very close family friend with an objective of setting up a world class engineering college at Udaipur, her husband’s hometown.

Mrs Meera Ranawat in discussion with Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar
Mrs Meera Ranawat in discussion with Mr. Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar

It is her sheer determination and perseverance that has resulted in establishment of Techno India NJR Institute of Technology. Her dream is to take this Institute to further heights and make it among top engineering colleges of India. She treats every student of the college as her own child and helps them or guides them in any of their doubts or problems. Student welfare is her topmost priority, also, she does not withdraws any salary from the college or the foundation.

She is a living example of how you can put your personal pains behind for a larger purpose in life. She is a role model for Women of India. Team Udaipurblog and the entire Udaipur salutes her on International Women’s day.

Categories
Festivals

Feminine Era: Celebrating the Women’s day

International Women’s Day celebrated each year on March 8 remains as a vibrant day in the women’s calendar. In the words of Late Pt Jawaharlal Nehru: “You can’t tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women“.

As we will be celebrating women’s day on 8th March, I feel that it is my duty to express my gratitude to all women in my life, as a mother, sister, friend, and peer to all known and unknown women.

International Women’s Day (8 March) is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day.

International Women’s Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for “liberty, equality, and fraternity” marched on Versailles to demand women’s suffrage.

The idea of an International Women’s Day first arose at the turn of 20th century, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies.

International Women’s Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for “liberty, equality, and fraternity” marched on Versailles to demand women’s suffrage.

The idea of an International Women’s Day first arose at the turn of 20th century, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies.

Forbes magazine has made a list of the 100 most powerful women in the world. Magazine looked for women who run countries, big firms or influential nonprofits organization for compiling the list. Their rankings are a combination of two scores: visibility in press and media and the size of the organization or country these women lead.

Top ten ladies selected for year 2010 are

1. Michelle Obama (First Lady Michelle Obama,U.S.)

'Operation Gratitude' at Rfk Stadium in Washington, D.C., America - 19 Jan 2009

2. Irene Rosenfeld (Chief Executive, Kraft Foods)

3. Oprah Winfrey (Talk show host and media mogul)

oprah

4. Angela Merkel (Chancellor, Germany)

5. Hillary Rodham Clinton (Secretary of State, U.S.)

6. Indra Nooyi (Chief Executive, Pepsico, India)

7. Lady Gaga (Singer and performance artist)

8. Gail Kelly (Chief Executive, Westpac)

9. Beyoncé Knowles (Singer and fashion designer)

10. Ellen DeGeneres (Talk show host)

The list of dedicated dynamic women personalities of Udaipur are

  • Ms.Girija vyas( Chairperson of National Women Commission)

  • Rajni Dangi (Sabhapati of Muncipal corporation)

  • Mrs.Padmaja Kumari (Jt. Managing Director, HRH Group of Hotels)

  • Mrs. Anshu Kothari (Secretary General of Udaipur Chambers Of Commerce and Indust)

  • Mrs.Shradha Gattani( Managing Director, Oriental Palace Resorts)

  • Dr. Sweety Chhabra(Managing Director, NICC)

  • Mrs. Alka Sharma (Founder, Central Public School (CPS)),

  • Mrs.Meera Ranawat (Chairperson of Techno India NJR Inst. of Technology)
  • DR. Sudha Kothari (Gynecologist)

and many more like them working in their respective field with hats off confidence and grace.

Women are often not thanked or shown gratitude. I doubt if a man can ever do what a woman does and manage both the career and family with the patience and zeal of a woman. A man too takes care of both but there are many aspects that a woman is capable of doing but a man is not. It’s not to put down the men, but we have all witnessed this at our place and elsewhere, so I take the liberty in saying these powerful statements.

Honouring Gratitude from Team UdaipurBlog to all Women across the globe.

You May Also Check : It’s our day – It’s Women’s Day

– By Chetna Purohit

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About the author – Chetna Purohit is a young Udaipurite pursuing her Engineering in Computer Science (2nd Year).

Categories
Photos Places to Visit

Gandhi Shilp Mela: Art and Craft Fair in Udaipur

Gandhi Shilp Mela

The National Crafts Fair, also known as the GANDHI SHILP MELA started in Udaipur from 4th March and will continue till 13th March 2011 at Town Hall. The craftsmen and artisans from all over India have gathered in our city to show their extraordinary masterpieces as well as talent. This event is organised by Rural Non Farm Development Agency (RUDA). According to an estimate, this year the trade till date has exceeded Rs. 10.5 Lakhs. A huge overwhelming crowd is seen enjoying the fair.many items such as furniture, wooden items, show pieces, garments, accessories, etc can be seen at display and for sale.

Here are few glimpses of the Gandhi Shilp Mela.

Gandhi Shilp Mela

Gandhi Shilp Mela

Gandhi Shilp Mela

Gandhi Shilp Mela

Gandhi Shilp Mela

Gandhi Shilp Mela

Gandhi Shilp Mela

Gandhi Shilp Mela

Categories
News

Talent of Udaipur now Featuring on Indian Television

It is indeed a very happy moment for the whole Udaipur to know that one of us,an active Udaipie, and a great talent,  Mr. Yogi Sachdev is now featuring on television too in a show called Chand Chhupa Baadal Mein.

Yogi Sachdev
Yogi Sachdev

Passed his 12th from Alok senior secondary school Yogi Udaipur is a fascinating actor and is proving his talent in front of whole world. He is president of well known group of youngsters of Udaipur named “The Yuvaz” which is a social cum entertainment group. With his 10 other group members he had done ample of charity to the needy people of Udaipur. He is now acting in the serial Chand Chupa Badal Mein which is broadcasted around 8 pm from Monday to Friday on Star Plus. He has made Udaipur proud and gave an inspiration to other young bloods that see their future in Indian Film Industry or Television Industry.

Recently we had a talk with him and he said that he is about to come in further more episodes and hopefully will maintain the continuity.  Lets wish Yogi all the very best and hope for his great success in his career. 🙂

Categories
Events

Technoholix: A National Techfest at GITS starts Today

To unite all the ignited minds of all engineers all over Udaipur, Geetanjali Institute Of Technical Studies, popularly known us GITS is organising a grand Techfest called Technoholix.

gits technoholix

Technoholix started as an intra college event held in year 2008. Last session Technoholix went big, inviting participation from engineering colleges all over Udaipur with an endeavor to bring spirit of knowledge, culture and festivity.

This is a National Level Inter College technical symposium being conducted by the Department of Computer Science & Engineering of the Geetanjali Institute of Technical Studies, Dabok (Udaipur) for the students of the Computer Science fraternity.

It defines itself as a conglomeration for the creative, the intellectuals and the inquisitive, Technoholix is the platform for the engineering in a student. With participation from over colleges across the Udaipur and multiple events testing students’ prowess in both technical and non-technical aspects, this is an ideal place for all ignited minds.

This year Technoholix is being organised from 3rd to 5th March 2011 with various interesting and creative events.

Click here to download a print-friendly copy of the Technoholix 2011 event schedule

The special guests of honour will include

  • Dr. Deepak Garg, Thapar University, Treasurer, IEEE Delhi Section
  • Mr. J.K. Verma , Director, NIC
  • Mr. Akhtar Bohra, UNICO Pvt. Ltd.
  • Mr. Abhishek Dhabai, Chief Advisor, Information Security, Consulting Division, NCSA, India
  • Mr. Ravindra Singh Saigal, Sr. Manager, Risk Department, TCS (Mumbai)

Registrations are open. Registration process will be done through sending SMS. The details for SMS can be viewed on the registration page of the Technoholix website

For more details log on to http://www.technoholix.gits.ac.in
as well as http://www.facebook.com/technoholix2011

technoholix11

Categories
News

Pulse Polio: Do Boond Zindagi ke

Polio Sunday at polio booth

Its the pulse polio campaign again. Every state, every city, every street, every home is participating in the movement to eradicate polio from India. A three day nationwide campaign has started in the country from today. Udaipur has shown a positive response to the campaign and many parents can be seen bringing their children to the polio booths.

This is a three day campaign. For the 1st day, i-e today, many booths have been set up at all places in the city, in every prime and sensitive location, where a team of medical students/doctors are present to provide the polio vaccination. Today this programme is scheduled till 5 p.m. in the evening. For an estimate, there are about 20+ booths in the city by the government medical college students, and even more by the private medical colleges, and at all the hospitals.

For the 2nd day, the team will be doing the field work which will include door to door survey to ensure that every child has been vaccinated, and if not, they must be provided with it. The same will be done on the 3rd day too to ensure no child is left on the second day too.

Along with this arrangement, there are many mobile vans which will travel all around the city and the peripherals for ensuring the perfect success of the programme, by supervising the programme, as well as covering all remote areas, such as any construction sites, slums, etc. The mobile van will consist of a doctor/supervisor, two nurses, and two medical students on an average.

(as told by a medical student at a polio booth)

Polio Sunday

Polio Sunday

Polio Sunday

Polio Sunday


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This is an UdaipurBlog appeal to all the alert Udaipies to kindly take your children up to the age of 5 years to the nearest polio booth, as well as encourage your neighbours, your household workers(if any). Spread the awareness and help the country to develop, grow and prosper. 🙂