Onam

Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam - the harvest festival in Kerala.

Onam is a Hindu festival, celebrated with a great enthusiasm throughout Kerala between August and September.

Description:

Onam is the most popular festival of Kerala (a southern coastal state of India). This is a Hindu festival, celebrated with a great enthusiasm throughout Kerala for a period of ten days. Every year this festival falls on the Malayalam month of Chingam - between August and September and also known as the harvest festival of Kerala.

Onam is one of the most ancient Hindu festivals which is still celebrated with a great devotion. Onam marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, a legendary king, who ruled Kerala in ancient times. That period was believed to be the golden age of Karala, people were happy, free from harm and complete harmony and prosperity was there. This golden age ended when Vamana (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) pushed King Mahabali, deep into the earth. Satisfied by Mahabali’s honesty and generosity, the lord granted him a wish that he can visit his kingdom and dear subjects once in a year.

Onam is celebrated for ten days - Atham is the first day and Thiruvonam is the final day of the celebration. People wear new clothes, decorate their houses and put flower carpet called 'Pookalam' in front of their houses, to welcome the King Mahabali. Special pujas are OFFEREDin the temples in early morning and younger members take blessings and gifts from the elder members of the family. During Onam traditional rituals are performed followed by a lavish feast with twenty-one homemade curries and sweet payasam on plantain leaf. Spectacular Carnivals of elephants, fireworks, boat races, music and the famous Kathakalli dance are traditionally associated with this festival. The state government of Karala conducts Tourism Week celebrations in connection with Onam, showcasing Kerala's beauty and culture.

On Teachers' Day, students to attend PM Modi ki paathshala

New Delhi: Unfazed by criticism from Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday afternoon address students across the country on the occasion of Teachers' Day. The Human Resources Development Ministry headed by Smriti Irani had earlier issued notice directing all educational institutions to ensure maximum presence of students during the Prime Minister's speech.

However, the move backfired and triggered criticism forcing the HRD Ministry to later clarify that attendance is not mandatory but it would be good if maximum students could attend the event.  

PM Modi's speech and interaction would be shown to kids across the country through television and even webcast. To be able to attend the PM's speech, students will have to stay back till 5 pm, while schools generally close by noon on September 5.

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However, a sections of students is excited about the opportunity to interact directly with the PM.

Several schools and colleges across the country have made special arrangements to show PM's speech on Teachers' Day.  Many schools have given a leeway to junior students and those living in far off areas don't have to attend the address. Some schools have even changed their timings.

In order to ensure wider reach of PM Modi's interaction with school students, his speech will be streamed live on YouTube. The speech will also be broadcast live on DD news and Modi will personally address 1,000 students at Delhi's Manekshaw Auditorium.

A select number of students will get the opportunity to ask nearly 15 to 20 questions to the Prime Minister depending on how long the Q&A session will last. The entire session will start at 3 pm and will go on till 4:45 pm.

Though no private school has formally complained or refused to comply, there are reports that some institutions in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have opposed the move and announced that they will not comly with the HRD Ministry's directive.

The students in J&K will not be able to attend the event as the state government has ordered the closure of all schools and offices in view of incessant rains and inclement weather.

The BJP though has slammed the politicisation of PM's speech. "Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's birth anniversary is celebrated as Children's Day in India. If that is not considered politics, then why is Modi's Teacher's Day speech being considered as one," BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi asked.

On the eve of the Teachers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said teachers hold great importance in the life of students. Addressing teachers who would be honoured with a national award for teaching by President Pranab Mukherjee today, Modi said "teaching" is not a profession or job, but a way of life – "jeevan dharm”.

He said a teacher never retires, and always continues to endeavour to teach the new generation.

PM Modi today delivered a message to teachers saying, “You are laying the foundation and building blocks of society. I call upon you to widen the horizon of your students' thinking.”

“Encourage students to think about nation, society, environment,” the PM said in his message to teachers.

  Sources Zee News