One of Mumbai’s most vibrant festivals – Ganeshotsav 2024 – is round the corner. The streets of the city are decked up with Ganesha idols and pandals are being set up with full fervour. While a lot of people bring Ganesh idols home, community celebrations also form a huge part of the festivities. Pandal-hopping is one of the most anticipated activities of this festival in the city. Here are five must-visit Ganpati pandals in Mumbai and directions to reach there. Lalbaugcha Raja Lalbaugcha Raja is one of the most popular Ganesh mandals in the city. Ganeshotsav in Mumbai is often associated with this idol and devotees from across the country visit the city to catch a glimpse of the deity. 2024-25 marks the 91st year of Lalbaugcha Raja. It is also referred to as the ‘Navsacha Ganpati’ which translates to ‘the one who fulfills all wishes’. Where: Lalbaug Market, Lower Parel How to reach by train: The nearest railway station is Lower Parel on the Western Line and Currey Road on the Central Line. It is advisable to walk to the pandal during Ganeshotsav since roads are often closed for crowd management. One can also take a taxi to reach here. GSB Seva Mandal Known as the richest Ganpati of Mumbai, the GSB Seva Mandal Ganpati idol is adorned with real gold and silver ornaments. The pandal opts for a traditional approach to the festivities. This year, the Ganpati idol was insured for 400 crores, creating a new record. It also follows eco-friendly practices where the idol is made of clay. Where: GSB Sports Club Ground, Near SNDT Women’s College, King’s Circle, Matunga How to reach: The nearest railway station is King’s Circle on the Harbour Line and Matunga on the Central Line. One can also take a taxi to reach here. Ganesh Galli Mumbaicha Raja Just a few lanes away from Lalbaugcha Raja, Ganesh Galli Mumbaicha Raja is another famous Ganpati idol of Mumbai. Established in 1928, it is known for its creative themes and decorations. It is also one of the oldest pandals in the city and sees a record number of visitors. Where: Ganesh Galli, Lalbaug How to reach: The nearest railway station is Lower Parel on the Western Line and Currey Road on the Central Line. One can also take a taxi to reach here. Girgaoncha Raja This Ganesh idol is set up by the Nikadwari Lane Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, established in 1928. It is often appreciated for being completely eco-friendly with the idol made of shadu clay. The traditional Maharashtrian Pheta (Turban) elegantly adorns the idol and has become a distinguishing factor over the years. Where: Nikadwari Lane, Girgaon How to reach: The nearest railway station is Charni Road on the Western Line. One can also take a taxi to reach here. Andhericha Raja Located in Andheri, this is one of the most famous pandals in suburban Mumbai. It is also referred to as the ‘Navsala Pavnara Ganpati (wish-fulfilling Ganpati)’. The visarjan of this idol happens on the fifth day, instead of the traditional 11th day. Andhericha Raja is known for elaborate set-up and decorations. Where: Veera Desai Road, Azad Nagar, Andheri West How to reach: The nearest railway station is Andheri on the Western Line. The nearest metro station is Azad Nagar. One can also take a taxi/auto to reach here. Also Read: Mid-day Specials | Ganeshotsav in Pune: Are traditional values still at the core?
12 September,2024 11:31 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAcademic failure and relationship issues are the biggest drivers of suicides among Indian youth, according to data at a leading suicide prevention helpline. On World Suicide Prevention Day, 1Life, a suicide prevention helpline, listed reasons that drive Indian population across age groups towards suicides. These details were announced from the experience of handling thousands of calls from individuals who seek help and advice to overcome their mental status. Between September 2022 and August 2023, 1Life volunteers received 22,674 calls; among which a majority percentage (about 68 per cent) were made by students and young adults who have academic failure (like examination failure or not able to cope with handle peer pressure) and relationship related issues (like love failure or rejection). Lack of proper employment and financial pressures are another set of reasons that drive young adults towards suicides. Commenting on the findings, K. Rebecca Maria, Counseling psychologist, 1Life, a suicide prevention helpline said, “Though India is considered a one big family, and joint family concept is quite prevalent, many youngsters are not comfortable sharing their problems or issues that trouble them the most with their immediate family members. It is highly unfortunate that we as a society do not discuss certain uncomfortable issues which impact the lives of youth of India.” In the last one year, 1Life received calls from 28 Indian states, and our volunteers speak 15 languages - Hindi, English, Telugu, Kanada, Tulu, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Sindhi, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Konkani, and Urdu. The volunteers receive an average of 25 to 30 calls per day. On weekends this number rises to 45 to 60 calls a day. The volunteers try to answer all calls and address the caller’s concerns and a few might get dropped in between due to technical glitches or network issues. Calls increase on the weekends because most people might like to share the issues they have faced through the week days. The statistics show that 65 per cent of individuals aged between 15 and 25 years were feeling suicidal due to academic stress, parents’ expectation, failures and relationship. About 50 per of people aged between 25 and 40 years complained of relationship issues, lack in professional growth, lack of confidence, loneliness and depression. Forty per cent of callers aged 40-50 years had problems like financial instability, family crisis, genetic history and clinical history. Fifty per cent of those above 50 years face issues like financial crisis conditions, health/medical issues, or were disowned by families. The helpline revealed that 70 per cent of the men are suicidal. They hesitate to share their feelings to anyone being egoist and getting feelings of being judgmental by others. Thirty per cent of female callers are suicidal. Women are sentimental but do cry and talk about their problems.
10 September,2024 09:36 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Trigger warning: Mentions of sexual harassment, abuse and rapeThere were 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women in 2022, which translates to approximately 51 cases every hour. Of this, the majority of crimes were categorised as cruelty by a spouse or his relatives (31.4%) followed by kidnapping and abduction (19.2%), assault with intent to outrage modesty (18.7%), and rape (7.1%). These statistics, as stated in the ‘Crime in India 2022’ report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), highlight the dire state of women’s safety in the country. In light of recent events in India, including the Kolkata rape and murder, Badlapur sexual assault, Hema Committee report and many other cases, the discourse around the protection of women from sexual offences has once again gained momentum. People are not only demanding a thorough investigation into these matters but also strict punishment for the perpetrators. Amid this, the legal framework on sexual offences against women has also come under fire. There’s a demand for stricter laws to ensure women’s safety and social justice. What do the current laws on this subject state and why do people feel there’s a need for change? Provisions for the protection of women against sexual offences Manasi Chaudhari, advocate and founder of Pink Legal, informs, “We have two types of sexual offences laws in India. One comes under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which defines what constitutes sexual harassment and criminalises these acts, for example, molestation, sexual assault, groping, trying to disrobe a woman, making vulgar faces or gestures, insulting the modesty of a woman, etc.” Chapter V of the BNS deals with offences against women and children. Sections 63-79 under this chapter state definitions and punishment for rape and other sexual offences. “The second major law is the Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act),” she adds. While these provisions currently exist in India’s legal system, it wasn’t always the case. They come into place or evolved over time and in order to determine what’s needed to further improve the legal framework, it’s important to understand how the laws have changed over the years. Nausheen Yousuf, lawyer and founder-partner of TKNY Advocates and Legal Reservoir, gives a brief overview of the evolution and provisions of laws relating to sexual offences against women. Rape and sexual offences laws“The first major amendment in rape laws was made after the Mathura rape case in 1972. Mathura was a young tribal girl. She was working at a place and eloped with her employer. People filed an FIR in the police station. She was produced before the police. Then, two policemen in the police station raped her. An FIR was filed against those two officers. The matter went from the Sessions Court to the High Court, finally to the Supreme Court of the country, which eventually acquitted the accused stating that there was no injury on the body. Mathura did not put up a fight so it was by consent,” Yousuf informs. She further states, “What the court failed to understand is that there is something known as passive submission. In such gruesome situations, the body tends to freeze. One doesn’t know how to respond and is not able to move or scream. The court misconstrued this as consent. There was a huge outcry at that point and hence, an amendment was made in 1983 mentioning custodial rape as an offence. Eventually, other specific cases of rape were also added.”Over the years, the discourse around these laws continued. The next major blow that shook the entire country, judicial system and policymakers was the Nirbhaya Rape Case in 2012. After immense public outrage, Yousuf says, “sweeping reforms were introduced in 2013 by the Criminal Law Amendment Act, wherein rape was now taken in a wider definition that is not just penovaginal. It also included insertion or penetration of anything into women’s private parts. There were also other amendments wherein situations like stalking (both physical and cyber) and voyeurism were also recognised as sexual offences.”Currently, a punishment of not less than 10 years is listed for perpetrators of rape. Also Read: Do women feel safe at bars in Mumbai? Domestic Violence Act, 2005Yousuf reveals, “Domestic Violence Act in 2005, spoke about varied forms of violence in the domestic sphere, including sexual violence. For example, husband forcing himself upon his wife could be sexual violence, father-in-law not looking at you in a good way could be sexual violence, etc."While domestic violence is often overlooked when speaking about sexual offences, it forms a major part of the crimes against women. Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013One of the most important developments in women’s safety laws was the recognition of sexual harassment at the workplace. This was done after the Bhanwari Devi rape case.Yousuf informs, “Bhanwari Devi was a woman working with the government of Rajasthan and her prime duty was to report to the government of any child marriage in the state. She reported the marriage of a six-month-old child and it was stopped on that particular day. Four men from that community (high-caste) came to her village and raped her before everybody. She filed an FIR. Her employer refused to help her out saying it was her issue. The case went ahead and the Vishaka guidelines were issued by the Supreme Court of India which identified sexual harassment at the workplace.”“The board came up with the guidelines in 1997 saying that a sexual harassment committee has to be formed in every government organisation. However, a drawback was that it was limited to government organisations. While issuing these guidelines, the Supreme Court also stated that laws should be formulated for sexual harassment in the workplace. Finally, this law was introduced in 2013 as the Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, also known as the POSH Act,” she adds. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012“A few months before the Nirbhaya case in 2012, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) was introduced. It acknowledged that children below the age of 18 are also at risk of sexual offences like rape, pornography, etc.,” states Yousuf. What is the challenge? While laws are in place, the legal system is often blamed for failing to protect women from sexual offences. Where does the problem lie then? Chaudhari believes it lies in the implementation of the laws. “Though we have great laws for women in India, the problem is the execution of laws. Victims face a challenge right from taking the first step, which is going to the police station to file a police complaint because they don’t know what will come out of it. Will there be any result or will they just have to keep going around between police, lawyer and court with no result in the end?” she comments. “Already, a victim comes with a lot of trauma and then they don't want to add on to that trauma by having people doubt their testimony. So, they may choose to just not go to the law or the legal system at all. Execution of laws is the most important for victims to first feel comfortable and safe to go and report. And secondly, to be able to report with some hope that they will get justice. If there is no hope, and if the only scenario that comes to your head is that you will just be stuck in a court case for years and years and nothing will come out of it, then it is a very sad state of affairs and victims will not feel like reporting,” she adds. Chaudhari further states, “For the justice system, the difficulty is the amount of backlog that court cases have. Every case takes a minimum of three to four years on average. And most cases go on for longer. Some cases go on for generations together. Even in the Nirbhaya case, it took eight years for the rapists to be given the death sentence. So, when that is the situation, the justice system is not able to deal with the cases efficiently.”“And secondly, there's a problem with the evidence. Criminal law says that you are innocent until proven guilty and you have to be 100 percent proven guilty. There should be no doubt. So, for that, you need strong evidence. And most of the cases of sexual assault or rape either happen behind closed doors where there are no witnesses or you don't have any kind of evidence. Some cases are reported very late and by the time they are reported, all evidence is gone. For example, if you go for a medical test immediately, you can get the evidence of samples or any deposits on the skin. But if you go after a few days or months, you will not have evidence. That is a problem they face,” she further explains. The challenge of courts being overburdened is echoed by Yousuf. “The courts are overburdened. While people say that there needs to be a time-bound system, I believe some important aspects might be missed in an attempt to close the case hurriedly. Having more courts and judicial officers is the need of the hour,” she says. Additionally, Yousuf also feels some laws need to change.“Section 377 of the IPC, which pertains to unnatural sex, was completely scrapped from the BNS. While the purpose is fair, there are also cases of women facing situations of unnatural sex from their husbands, which they are not comfortable with. So, there’s no provision for that. Also, marital rape has not yet been criminalised,” she expresses. Also Read: National Nutrition Week: All you need to know about nutrition for women’s health Is the law enough? While the legal system is one of the most important elements in navigating crime, other aspects also need to be considered, especially in cases of sexual offences against women. “With regards to navigating sexual harassment cases, I still feel that a lot of sensitivity programs need to be done with executing agencies. Psychological counselling being provided to the victims is also important,” believes Yousuf. “Besides that, we need a lot of changes in the way society looks at rape cases. There is still stigma and victim shaming. Also, false rape cases are filed sometimes. Of course, there are a lot of factors to be considered. As per POCSO, even consensual sex between individuals below 18 years of age is not allowed. Awareness programs need to be conducted among teenagers about what could land them in trouble. Regarding sexual harassment in the workplace, a lot needs to be done on the ground level. Many organisations do not have sexual harassment committees and that needs to be looked at,” she adds. “I believe that a lot of training and awareness that happens in cases of sexual harassment, which is often given precedence over domestic violence. The latter is often not treated seriously, which needs to change. Also, the mindset that sexual violence can only be inflicted by strangers is wrong. What about sexual violence cases in the domestic sphere?” she asks. While the legal system of India is key in providing justice to those who have faced sexual offence, mitigating the issue from the grassroots is important, which involves education, training and a mindset shift.
09 September,2024 01:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Raaina Jain
Vile Parle-based Valerina Shankar Nimma’s son was only a child when he came across Lord Ganesha during a visit to one of the idolmakers’s workshops but it left a lasting impression on him. She narrates, “My son Sherwyn was only six years old when he went with his father to see Ganpati idols being made in the shop. While there, he started crying so much that he just picked up the Lord Ganesha idol and ran away saying that he wanted to take one home. His father tried to stop him a lot, but it was of no use. Finally, he came home with Lord Ganesha’s idol.” This was only the start of an enriching journey for the family in their devotion to Lord Ganesha. Resolute with his intentions, Nimma’s son was happy once the idol came home and allowed his parents to take it from there. She further shares, “He just kept it on a small stool and said you can now do what you want to do. I have brought Bappa home, to my home.” Unfortunately, on that day, the 44-year-old Mumbaikar, who is a YouTuber and food blogger, made a different kind of feast. “I had cooked fish curry and fried bangda in nice vindaloo masala,” she says, realising that only vegetarian food would be preferable if they have to pay respects to the deity. “I gave it all to my house help. Since I am a Catholic and it was my first time, I didn’t have an idea about all the rituals but thanks to my neighbours who all helped me out to praise him.”Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi at homeThey went on to bring him for three years in a row and then decided to stop. However, the universe had other plans. She explains, “In the fourth year, Sherwyn had fallen very sick so I told God that I will bring him every year to my house since then.” It has been 12 years since and every year they have celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in their home not only with rituals but also good food that includes making steamed modaks, karanji, kheer, ladoos, and many vegetarian dishes to relish with the family. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi, which was celebrated on September 7, and will continue with Ganeshotsav till September 16, also happens to coincide with the feast of Nativity of Mother Mary, popularly known as the birthday of Mother Mary on September 8. It is celebrated in a big way in Mumbai as many devotees make their way to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount in Bandra, and also visit the Bandra Fair. Interestingly, Mumbai’s connection with Ganesh Chaturthi goes beyond followers of one religion, as every person comes together to take part or revel in the festivities through tradition and food, and Nimma is only one of them.It has not been any less miraculous for Pooja Paul Dsouza, who has been welcoming Lord Ganesha into their home for the last two years now. She shares, “We had prayed for a baby and Bappa blessed us after 9 years of trying and failing so it was a mannat (wish) that was fulfilled.” Being a Hindu, Pooja was born and brought up around Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Mumbai. After trying to have a baby for many years, the 36-year-old teacher prayed to Lord Ganesha and was blessed with a son. “I am Hindu and my husband Catholic, I adore and am proud of how welcoming my mother-in-law and husband have been about getting Bappa home and embracing the culture with equal joy and open arms.” Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Why traditional and innovative modaks go hand-in-hand After their wish is fulfilled, Dsouza says it has changed the family’s outlook towards the festival and how it brings them all together beyond everyone’s religious beliefs.” Just like the last two years, this year will not be any different as they started celebrations on September 7. “We bring Bappa home the night before and then all three of us perform puja in the morning. It is then followed by enjoying food that consists of the mandatory five vegetables, alu vadi, modak, puri and more. We also have my brother’s aarti group, which consists of 15 to 20 people, who visit in the evening for aarti that goes on for almost two hours,” she adds.With Ganesh Chaturthi coinciding with the birthday of Mother Mary, celebrated by the Catholic community in the city, this year is going to be a double celebration in the Dsouza home. “I have always believed that Mama Mary and Bappa have made it possible for me to become a mom. Last year, it coincided with Janmashtami. This year, it is double the celebration and happiness at home and it feels surreal,” she adds. Just like Dsouza, even Nimma is over-excited about the celebrations this year as they revel not only in the Hindu festivities but also in Catholic rituals during this time of the year.Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi and ChristmasElsewhere around Mumbai, Natasha Anna Pereira has also been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi for as long as she can remember. Being born in a multi-cultural home where her father is a Roman Catholic and her mother is a Maharashtrian Hindu, Pereira says she and her brother have been lucky that they have been able to celebrate the best of both religions and because of the festive fervour has always been there. She explains, “As a kid, we were based out of Dubai and would try our best to visit family in Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi. If not, then my parents would take us to the temple on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.” Beyond shopping and visiting relatives, the Mumbaikar also grew up savouring the different kinds of prasad, and more particularly her mother making ukdiche modak, which is the traditional steamed rice flour modak made with coconut jaggery and cardamom stuffing.Fortunately, the 32-year-old hospitality professional says her parents believed in embracing both cultures and traditions and ensured that the siblings were involved in all of it too. “So along with Christmas, Easter, Diwali and Holi,” she continues, “Ganesh Chaturthi became an annual celebration. Even though we don't bring Bappa home, I have family from my mother’s side, neighbours and close friends hosting Bappa either for one and a half days or 5 days - and visiting all their homes every year became the favourite norm for me.”Such are the festivities in their family that Pereira who is from Panvel says they used to visit her maternal uncle’s home every year for Ganesh Chaturthi. She narrates, “It meant close relatives gathering at his place for two days filled with poojas, good food, fun times with cousins and ending it with the visarjan.” However, that has slightly changed over the years. “Since most of my cousins and I have moved to different cities and countries, it has become difficult to get together to celebrate Ganpati together. However, I make sure to take part in Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations overseas through the Indian community's arrangements - nothing like celebrating such a special festival far away from home with other Indians,” she adds. Pereira has been lucky to have a family away from home and continue the traditions, and the effort that she makes because there are so many sentiments attached to it are rooted in her family’s tradition and Mumbai. “The celebrations are special for me because of the people, memories and the essence behind it. Ganesh Chaturthi is all about celebrating and honouring the deity of wisdom, prosperity and the removal of obstacles. Having grown up watching Ganpati Bappa's arrival, singing all the aartis, making modaks at home with my grandmother, aunts and mom makes this celebration a way of reminiscing all the good times together.”It is not only on the personal level but also on the community level that Pereira says makes it even more festive. “With Mumbai being one of the top cities to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with full pomp and splendour - it became a tradition to witness all the big pandals bringing in their Ganesha idols, the 10 days long happy chaos filled with special food, lots of modaks, fun and frolic on even the tiniest streets and music. Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi makes me feel closer to spirituality and home.” Coming down in time for celebrations from overseas, Pereira says this year's celebrations are extremely special. “I am visiting my best friend's home for her Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations after eight long years, which is a special reunion indeed,” shares the excited Mumbaikar.However, it is only going to get better because just like Nimma and Dsouza, Pereira is also going to be busy celebrating another important festival. “My father noted that this time Ganesh Chaturthi coincides with Mount Mary’s feast and has started making plans of visiting a few popular Ganesh pandals and then heading to Bandra for the Mount Mary feast. He said, 'Nothing better than paying a visit to all our Gods and getting blessings for the year'. I consider this to be a very auspicious time since both my favourite festivals are in the same week - makes my trip down to India an even more special one,” shares Pereira, expressing the emotions of thousands of Mumbaikars, who are not only going to be celebrating Ganeshotsav and visiting the pandals but also making a trip to Mount Mary Church in Bandra and ending it with a walk through Bandra Fair. Also Read: Celebrating across borders: How expats cultivate a strong connection with Ganeshotsav
09 September,2024 12:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
It’s that time of the year again. Mumbai’s streets are brimming with cultural activity – devotees visiting pandals to catch a glimpse of Lord Ganesh, people thronging markets to make arrangements for the festival, families bringing Ganesh idols home as well as taking them for visarjan, and groups chanting ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ with devotion. Ganeshotsav is one of the most celebrated festivals in the city, the arrival of which is difficult to miss amidst all the excitement and anticipation. While the city's 10-day-long festival is marked with grandeur, its celebrations are not limited by geography or nationality. How expats in Mumbai experience Ganeshotsav When Gwenda Schobert, a marketing professional from Germany, first came to Mumbai in 2014 and witnessed Ganeshotsav celebrations in the city she couldn’t believe what was happening until she experienced it herself over the years. “In my first year in Mumbai, I remember passing by Marine Drive on my way to work and seeing how the city prepared for the biggest festival in Mumbai. My Indian colleagues showed me pictures of huge Lord Ganesh idols and masses of devotees during Visarjan, and I simply couldn't believe it - until I experienced it myself,” she remarks. Now that she has been in the city for 10 years and believes she is a “Mumbaikar by choice”, she enthusiastically participates in Ganeshotsav each year and has even discovered interesting facts about the festival. She reveals, “A few years ago, I learned something very interesting about Ganesh Chaturthi during British rule: The colonisers had banned public gatherings, and the Indian freedom fighters came up with a powerful idea. They organised public Ganpati celebrations in Maharashtra for mass gatherings. Now, every year when we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, I am reminded of the Indian Freedom Movement.” Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 | Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati in Pune: Significance and darshan details“For the last 10 years, I have celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi by visiting my friend's houses. I love how the festival connects all - no matter which religion we follow, and no matter whether we were born here or moved to the city. I think next year, it is time for me to bring Ganpati Bappa to my own home,” she concludes. Many expats like Schobert have developed a special connection with Ganeshotsav. Others, though not deeply involved in the festivities, have come to appreciate different aspects of the celebrations. Ryan Cleeren, who has been in Mumbai for over three years, says, “We have many friends who invite us to their house for different events during the festive season. I love how alive the city gets with all the festivities. Every night, there are fireworks outside our windows and music playing on the streets below. Last year, a car with Ganesha in the back drove through our society with a band walking behind on foot playing music, and everyone came out to enjoy this and celebrate together. I didn’t understand the symbolism then but enjoyed the celebratory atmosphere.” However, she says, “We do not attend any large gatherings, as the crowds can be overwhelming.” Craig Boehman, an American photographer who has spent 13 years in the city, doesn’t celebrate the festival but appreciates the festive atmosphere. “I love seeing all the shops that pop up with the idols and the roadside celebrations as I drive by. It's a nice change of pace to what I usually see,” he states. Apart from Ganeshotsav, the August-September season also witnesses other festivals. Clereen reveals, “Today, we attended an Athai Parna for our neighbour’s daughter who just completed an 8-day fast. It was very interesting to learn about why they were doing it and the symbolism behind it. I think there is something special about taking time each year to reflect on things you may have done wrong and things you can do better in the future.” In Jainism, ‘Athai Parna’ is a fast of 8 days during the Paryushan Parv where one only drinks boiled water. SEE PHOTOS: How Goa celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with culture, tradition and foodGaneshotsav celebrations abroad One would think the festive atmosphere of Mumbai draws people in to participate in the festival. However, the spirit of Ganeshotsav is not bound by geography. Many Indians who have settled abroad or have gone there for studies/work wholeheartedly celebrate the festival. A Parel-based idol maker reveals, “Every year, we get a lot of enquiries from outside India for Ganesh idols. Sending these idols abroad is a bit expensive but people who can afford it do place orders.” Pratiksha Pawar, who was in the USA for four years with family, reveals, “We celebrated Ganeshotsav by visiting pandals that had murtis, going to friends’ houses where they kept Ganpati, and visiting local temples.” She further states, “While there are sizable murtis in New Jersey, the scale is smaller compared to Mumbai. Here, schools get a week off, and there are cultural programs and food organised by local societies. In New Jersey, such large-scale celebrations and cultural programs were not common, although visiting people’s homes for Ganeshotsav was similar in both places.” “There were public celebrations in New Jersey as well, with murtis set up in various locations where people gathered to take blessings,” she adds. Jagavi Doshi, who went to the USA as a student and is now a working professional, also celebrates the festival in unique ways. “I've been in the States since August 2022, and this is my third time celebrating Ganeshotsav here. However, this is the first time we brought Ganesha at home. Up until now, I had been visiting people who were hosting the festival- some students, some alumni. This time around, we decided to get our own and celebrate the festival privately instead. I also visited a friend's place- I feel like festivals are a good way to catch up with them, amidst all of our busy lives here,” she states. While the celebrations are not as grand as those in Mumbai, they provide a sense of belonging away from home. “It’s a small gathering of all of us coming together and feeling a little closer to home despite being about 7800 miles (approx 12,500 km) away! The celebrations are smaller, but closer to the heart because we're doing this all by ourselves now without any adult supervision, making our own mistakes, learning from it, and making our new traditions,” she expresses. There are not many public celebrations of Ganeshotsav in Rochester, New York, but those hosting the festivities are welcoming to newer students and guests. “Students and alumni hosting these festivities are so welcoming to newer students, their family or even their friends and roommates (whether they're Indians or not) even if they don't know them. For festivities, it's almost like we keep aside all of our individualism and welcome everyone just the same,” Doshi reveals. “And because you don't anticipate how many people you'd be expecting, it's always a potluck. Every group that comes, brings some food with them - sweets, dinner, appetizers, anything. It's an unsaid rule, and everyone enjoys it! Like I said, we find a way to make it our festival with our new traditions,” she concludes.
09 September,2024 10:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Raaina JainA youth organisation of Odisha is celebrating Ganesh Puja for the 18th year by preparing a 15-foot tall Ganesh idol using 25,000 glass bangles, and the pandal has been made of bamboo in Baripada. Friends Union Organisation President Saumya Ranjan Mishra said, "We are celebrating Ganesh Puja for 5 days according to the tradition of Maharashtra. The festival lasts for 8 days with tribal traditional songs, dances, a national-level dance competition, and much more. Prasad distribution takes place for 5 days. Some artists come from West Bengal and other states. Very unique 15-foot Ganesh idol made by 25000 (twenty-five thousand) glass bangles. This is the main attraction of our Ganesh festival, for which devotees come from different states." Cashier of the organisation Srikant Barik said, "This time we are celebrating 18th year. We have spent more than 22 to 25 lakhs all together for this decoration and making unique idols." One of the members of the Friends Union, Debashish Lal said, "Here we celebrated Ganesh Puja with people of all communities, including Muslim members. Our organisation is a symbol of unity and communal harmony." The Ganesh Chaturthi festivities kicked off on Saturday with great excitement and joy across the country. Devotees, including those in big cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Delhi, are celebrating the auspicious occasion with devotion and happiness. Ganesh Chaturthi, a vibrant 10-day festival, commenced on September 7 and will continue until Anantha Chaturdashi. This festival, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi, honours Lord Ganesha as the 'God of New Beginnings' and the 'Remover of Obstacles,' celebrating his wisdom and intelligence. In every city, people welcomed Lord Ganesha into their homes and pandals, filling the air with the sound of prayers, music, and festive chants. From grand processions to traditional rituals, the celebrations in the country began in full swing, marking the start of this joyful festival across India. Devotees welcomed Ganesh idols into their homes, offered prayers, and visited the colourful pandals. The streets were filled with the sounds of devotion and joy as people came together to celebrate the festival with enthusiasm and heart. The colourful decorations, lively chants, and the fragrance of sweets added to the festive spirit that could be felt everywhere. 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.
08 September,2024 03:47 PM IST | Mayurbhanj (Odisha) | ANIBoeing's Starliner spacecraft on Saturday landed back safely on Earth without astronauts, after a three-month trip to the International Space Station (ISS). "Touchdown #Starliner," Boeing posted on social media platform X. “Touchdown, #Starliner! The uncrewed spacecraft landed at New Mexico's White Sands Space Harbor at 12:01 am ET (9.31 am IST) on Saturday, September 7,” added NASA. Touchdown, #Starliner! The uncrewed spacecraft landed at New Mexico's White Sands Space Harbor at 12:01 am ET (0401 UTC) on Saturday, Sept. 7. pic.twitter.com/Q5lITEzATn — NASA (@NASA) September 7, 2024 Starliner landed uncrewed following NASA’s decision, taken on August 24, to not return Indian-origin Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore on the faulty spacecraft over “lack of safety and performance requirements for human spaceflight”. The uncrewed return “allows NASA and Boeing to continue gathering Starliner performance data..while also not accepting more risk than necessary for its crew”, the US space agency said. Williams and Willmore are now expected to return to Earth in February 2025 with the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission. The Starliner flew to the ISS with Williams and Willmore on a week-long mission. But as the spacecraft approached the orbiting lab, it experienced a series of technical issues such as the failure of several thrusters and helium leaks in the propulsion system. While Boeing proclaimed the safety of Starliner, NASA officials have disagreed. During the crucial review meeting held last week, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson noted that the agency’s “decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety”. Meanwhile, NASA announced that both Williams and Willmore “are safe aboard the space station” Also Read: Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stuck in space: How can it affect their health? Experts explain Along with the Expedition 71 crew the duo are supporting station research, maintenance, and Starliner system testing and data analysis. They recently completed research on fiber optic cables and growing plants aboard the ISS, NASA said. Expedition 71 crew consists of NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Tracy C. Dyson, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub, and Alexander Grebenkin. 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
07 September,2024 12:34 PM IST | New Mexico | IANSA colourful rally of caparisoned elephants, floats and folk-dance performances marked the 'Athachamayam' celebrations in Tripunithura on Friday, heralding the start of the 10-day 'Onam' festivities in Kerala. The beginning of the festivities was officially inaugurated by Kerala Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer, who, referring to the recent natural disaster in Wayanad, said that everything can be lost in a moment and therefore, we should be able to move forward together by showing love and respect to each other. "A single rainfall is enough to end everything. We need to realise that everything can be lost in one moment. In Wayanad, in the space of a night, two villages vanished, they were swept away completely," he said. Over 200 people died and hundreds of homes were swept away or completely destroyed in the landslides that hit three villages of Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad district on July 30. Shamseer also said that "lies and betrayal" were becoming stronger in the state, as people go to sleep at night thinking about whom they should cheat the next day. "Therefore, as we celebrate Onam, we should lay emphasis on not cheating or blaming each other and instead focus on being united and showing love and respect to one another," he said. He further said that, unlike other states of the country, Kerala was one where there is still communal harmony, love and unity among the people. "We should be able to maintain this as we move forward. Some may try to create divisions among us, but we should not permit it," he said. After his brief speech, the Atham flag was raised by Lok Sabha MP Francis George and thereafter, the rally commenced from Atham Nagar in Tripunithura, once the capital of the erstwhile Royal Kingdom of Kochi. Despite it being a weekday, thousands, across all age groups and from all walks of life, turned up to watch the colourful procession which was lent a rhythmic touch by the 'chendamelam' and 'panchavadyam' performances by percussionists. Women in traditional Kerala attire of 'set mundu', children in different kinds of fancy dresses, various folk art forms like Theyyam, Kolkali, Mayilattam, Ammankudam, Pulikkali, and classical art forms like Kathakali added colour to the 'Athachamayam' procession. Many of those who lined up along the procession route to witness the festivities included even foreigners. In the days of kings, the Maharaja of Kochi used to participate in the procession from Tripunithura to the Vamanamoorthy temple at Thrikkakara. According to legends, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is believed to visit Kerala at the time of Onam to see his subjects. Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Replace sugar with honey, churma for sattu, and other sweet hacks 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
06 September,2024 12:42 PM IST | Kerala | PTIBoeing's problem-plagued Starliner is set to finally depart the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, returning to Earth without astronauts after NASA deemed the risk too great. The century-old aerospace giant's reputation has taken a hammering over thruster malfunctions and helium leaks its spaceship encountered on its way up to the orbital outpost in June, and the US space agency's subsequent decision to fly its crew back on a rival SpaceX Crew Dragon next year. Starliner will autonomously undock from the space station around 6:04 pm Eastern Time (2204 GMT), landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at approximately 0403 GMT. NASA opted to bring the ship home without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams despite Boeing's assurances of a safe flight. The company carried out extensive ground testing that aimed to replicate the technical hitches the spaceship had experienced on its ascent, and devised plans to prevent more problems. In the end, however, Boeing could not convince NASA it could be trusted to bring back the pair, who were originally meant to stay on the ISS for roughly a week as they tested out Starliner, but will now remain there until February. "Boeing believed in the model that they had created that tried to predict the thruster degradation for the rest of the flight," Steve Stich, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program told reporters this week. But "the NASA team, due to the uncertainty in the modeling, could not get comfortable with that," he added, characterizing the mood during meetings as "tense." Certification decisions to come After undocking, Starliner will perform a powerful "breakout burn" that will shoot it well clear of the station to prevent any chance of a collision -- a maneuver that would have been unnecessary if it had crew aboard who could take manual control of the ship if needed. Overall, the expectation is that Starliner will successfully carry out its parachute- and airbag-assisted landing -- just as it has during two previous uncrewed tests in 2019 and 2022. But ground teams will be closely studying all aspects of its performance, particularly its troublesome thrusters during the crucial "deorbit burn" that brings the spacecraft back through Earth's atmosphere. Stich emphasized that NASA was focused on completing the immediate tasks at hand. "When we do that, we'll have a better understanding of when can we certify the vehicle and when can we resume flights," he said. NASA awarded Boeing and SpaceX multibillion-dollar contracts a decade ago to develop spacecraft to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS, following the retirement of the Space Shuttle. Elon Musk's SpaceX, however, beat Boeing to the punch, successfully flying dozens of astronauts since 2020. Also Read: Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stuck in space: How can it affect their health? Experts explain 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
06 September,2024 12:05 PM IST | Washington DC | AFP
From performing in front of live audiences to starring on the silver screen, and from sparking thought-provoking discussions through her books to shaping narratives for films, Tisca Chopra has embraced storytelling in all its diverse forms throughout her career.Born in Kasauli, Chopra was raised in an environment surrounded by books—a passion that often comes through in both her conversations and her work. Whether portraying the mother of a dyslexic child in Taare Zameen Par or writing a book on puberty and menstruation for young girls, her commitment to connecting with audiences through meaningful stories has earned her widespread appreciation. ‘I’ve always been interested in telling unusual stories’Despite donning multiple hats in her career, it isn’t the role that attracts this actor-writer-filmmaker, but the story she tells through these roles.“I've always been interested in telling unusual stories that stay in your heart, which people want to go back to again and again. That's my interest,” she says.“I want to engage with the audience who I think are far more intelligent than me in a way that we have a conversation via the film that we make. So, whether it's an actor or a director or a producer or a writer, that's my interest,” she adds. This passion for storytelling hasn’t developed recently. Reading and writing were integral parts of Chopra’s childhood and shaped her interests significantly. And now her daughter is being influenced by the same habit.The mother to the 11-year-old Tara says, “We just published by daughter’s first book and she's not yet 12. What influences you as a child is what then comes out of you. You are a field of potential. You're a field of anything and everything.”“My dad has a couple of books published. My mom has also published a colouring book. Many people in my family have written books. It was always something around the house. So, it was bound to happen,” she further reveals.The Chopra family considers books to be a treasure trove of storytelling. But many books, including classics, are being adapted into films and that’s how a lot of people are being introduced to these stories.On that, Chopra says, “Most of the time, the films don't live up to the book. But in some cases, they not just live up, but probably exceed the expectations of the book like Gone with the Wind and Gone Girl.".Why is it that those consuming the same story through these two mediums often believe that the storytelling in the book is better?Chopra explains, “When you're reading the book, your imagination is at play. And there can be nothing more powerful than your own imagination. No filmmaker can fill in the colours as well as your brain can.”“I think writing is very, very poor in films currently. It’s just more of the same things. When something spectacular and new comes out, everyone says “oh, we really like this”. But then we go back to trying to make formula films. But if we go back to literature, we'll find a lot of good stuff,” she adds.Chopra has written two non-fiction books and screenplays for various short films. Her first feature film as a director is also in the making. Being a part of both these mediums, she strongly believes that the writing process is completely different.Talking about the same, she says, “I think writing a screenplay for me is the joy of my life. I just can't stop thinking about it be it morning, evening, or night. After a point, once you've got your basics done like the plot, character maps, etc., and you know the structure i.e., Act 1, 2A, 2B, 3, then the screenplay starts telling you. You just say that I'm available today, I'm here to write, and I will write it.”She continues, “While writing a book, you have to keep one theme and go deeper and deeper into that idea and explore it from other angles.” While Chopra is a public figure who hasn’t shied away from expressing her thoughts, some aspects of her life are still unknown to her audience.“What is very dichotomous from what people see me as is my jhalli self. I'm not a regular jhalli, I'm an advanced jhalli. My pajamas have holes, my T-shirts have holes, and that's the way I write. So, every morning, if I'm not shooting, I write,” she reveals.“The other part is my mothering part. I love to tuck my daughter in at night because most of the day we are busy. Spending that half an hour, 40 minutes with her at night, asking her how her day went and what goes on in her life is very special,” she adds. ‘We should take that responsibility and break that nonsense down’Chopra tried to follow the process of delving deeper into a subject while writing books when she wrote ‘What’s Up With Me’, which was released in 2021. Aimed at young girls, it talks about puberty and all things that come with it, including period, which has been a taboo topic for far too long. Did the book ignite the conversations that she wanted it to?“There was a reason I wrote that book,” Chopra reveals, “I was once buying sanitary napkins at a chemist shop. There was a paan shop on the corner and somebody was buying gutka and cigarettes. When I asked the chemist for sanitary napkins, he wrapped the packet in a newspaper. Then he put that in a black bag. So, I thought there are people buying gutka and cigarettes, which are going to harm them for sure, and here's something that's a very natural occurrence in almost 50 percent of the population. This is wrong.”The writer continues, “Till children are an amorphous mass, it’s all okay. The minute a girl hits puberty, restrictions start coming in. And as I was writing the book, I discovered a lot of completely unscientific, unreasonable and odd behaviours that we get into just because a girl has her period. Pickles do not spoil. You can step into the kitchen because even when you get your period, you're still hungry and you want to eat and you can still cook. There isn’t any guilt or shame. It’s biology. I’ve tried to talk about this as often as I can, but I think it's not often enough.”Breaking the stigma around this natural process can be achieved through public discourse, but more importantly, through conversations that start at home.“I have started doing that in my home. For example, I make it a point to tell my dad, who is slightly old school, that I have my period if he asks me questions like why I am not going to the gym, etc. Initially, he used to feel a little like, why is she telling me this? But now he's okay. We should take that responsibility and break that nonsense down. He's also a product of his times. It's not that he's wrong, but if we know better, then we should be able to pass this idea backward and forward. And I'm trying my best,” explains the Taare Zameen Par actor. Also Read: National Nutrition Week: Uncover the hidden power of nutrition on women's health — An expert guide ‘Follow your craft’Chopra has navigated her journey in the film industry and beyond with confidence, often opening up about important issues and choosing stories that challenge her and deviate from the mainstream definition of cinema. What drives her to be true to her craft?“I think there's one piece of advice I’ve appreciated from a dear friend of mine (very senior and like a guide to me). He said, “Follow your craft and the money will follow.” So, I've tried to follow that to the best of my ability,” reveals Chopra.Staying true to your job is important to be successful, an advice she would like to give youngsters who are trying to make a place for themselves in this world.She adds, “What I'd like to share is what I've learned. Be really good at your job. Experiment with a whole lot of things and come into your work knowing that this is what you want to do. You might be in an allied field and might be trying to make your way into that. For example, if somebody wants to be an actor, be an assistant. Be around the field to get to where you need to get to. The minute someone is interested in their job, there's a special flavour that comes into their work. They love it so much that they'll look at it from all angles and they'll want to be around it. And they'll not be looking at the clock and saying, I need to check out now.”
06 September,2024 10:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Raaina JainGanesh Chaturthi 2024 is round the corner. One of the most revered festivals in India, it is celebrated on the Chaturthi tithi (fourth days) of the Shukla paksh (bright fortnight) of the Bhadrapad month, which usually falls in the month of August or September according to the Gregorian calendar. The festivities, that will begin on September 7 will last for ten days. During Ganeshotsav, people bring Ganesh idols home and perform different rituals like puja, aarti, etc. Essentials for Ganesh Chaturthi From puja samagri to decorations, here are some essentials one must have to welcome Bappa home and celebrate the festival. Ganesh idol – Some people worship the Ganesh idol already at home, while others bring special idols home during this time. Some even prepare the idols themselves using clay or other eco-friendly materials. Platform/Pedestal – The Ganesh idol is usually placed on a platform, that can be made of wood or metal, and covered with a cloth. Decorations – Various decorative items can be used to elevate the area around the Ganesh idol. These include flowers, garlands (toran), lights, rangolis and other items. Offerings – One must also have all the items that are to be offered to Lord Ganesh as a sign of devotion. These can include flowers, prasad, etc. Puja samagri – Different people use different puja samagri as per their rituals. Puja Samagri for Ganesh Chaturthi Here is the puja samagri list for the festivities. These items are commonly used in performing the rituals, but can vary from household to household. Red or yellow cloth to cover the platform Puja thali Flowers (common ones include red hibiscus and marigold) Modak, laddoo and other sweets Durva grass, which is a key offering Panchamrit (milk, ghee, curd, honey, sugar) Akshat (rice) Fruits Incense sticks (agarbatti) Diya (for aarti) Camphor (for aarti) Vermillion (Kumkum/sindoor) Turmeric powder (haldi) Kalash (usually made of copper or brass) Clean water for various rituals Paan leaf The most auspicious time to perform the Ganesh Chaturthi puja on September 7 is during the Madhyahna hour, which normally lasts from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. This period is seen to be auspicious since Lord Ganesha is said to have been born during it. Also Read: Mid-day Specials | Ganeshotsav in Pune: Are traditional values still at the core?
05 September,2024 07:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
