Diwali 2023: Things To Do This Diwali

Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in India and Hindus specifically. Hindus around the world eagerly wait for the Amavasya of Kartik month of the Hindu calendar. Since Amavasya is the darkest night, people celebrate the festival with lights. It is for this reason that Diwali is also called the festival of light.

Here’s the significance of Diwali in Hindu religion

1. Reception of Lord Ram in Ayodhya

When Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after completing their 14-year-long exile or vanvasa, the people of Ayodhya welcomed their favorite prince with lights. They lit earthen lamps on the road leading to Ayodhya to show their devotion to Lord Ram.

2. Victory of good over evil

Diwali is the celebration of the victory of good over evil. Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after killing the demon Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka. It strengthens our belief that truth always prevails. It proves that demons can be defeated by good deeds.

3. Appearance of Goddess Laxmi

Sagar Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean) brought Goddess Laxmi to the world. And with the goddess came all wealth, prosperity, and happiness to make life happy and fulfilling on earth. On Diwali, Hindus welcome Goddess Laxmi to their homes and seek her blessings.

4. Diwali brings prosperity

Worshipping Goddess Laxmi brings prosperity to life. She is the goddess of financial power and for this reason, Diwali Puja becomes more important for businesses. In India and across the world, Hindu businessmen perform a special Puja on Diwali. Homeowners also perform Laxmi Puja at their homes.

5. Shopping

Shopping is also a way of celebrating Diwali. People buy new clothes, ornaments, sweets, … Read the rest

Dhanteras 2023: Seek Blessings Of Goddess Lakshmi On This Dhanteras     

The 13th lunar day of the Krishna Paksha of the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar is called Dhanteras. In Hindi, “Dhan” means wealth, and “teras” means thirteenth. So, this day is celebrated as the day of wealth, prosperity, and happiness. Also, it marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival that concludes on “Bhai Dooj”.

by Shalini Agrawal

Why We Celebrate Dhanteras?

Mythology relates Dhanteras to the churning of the cosmic ocean (Sagar Manthan) by Gods and Devils. All worldly things were emerging from Sagar Manthan and on this day, Goddess Lakshmi emerged to bless the world with wealth and prosperity. From that day, “Dhanteras” is celebrated to get the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.

Another story relates Dhanteras to the birth of Lord Dhanvantari, the God of Ayurveda and health. Dhanvantari blesses devotees of health and well-being. People also worship Lord Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, on Dhanteras. It is believed that celebrating Dhanteras brings wealth and prosperity.

How To Celebrate Dhanteras?

Dhanteras is celebrated by shopping for gold and silver ornaments and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari at their homes and offices. People buy new clothes, vehicles, properties, and other assets on this day and believe that buying goods will please Goddess Lakshmi and bring wealth and prosperity to their lives.

For Lakshmi Puja, people light earthen lamps in their homes, especially on their doors. It is to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi. Also, they offer sweets to the goddess and seek her blessings. Since it is the beginning of Diwali, the festival of light, people light their homes with decorative lights.

Auspicious Time Of Lakshmi Puja On Dhanteras In Read the rest

Anzac Day: City Breakdown of Dawn Service Schedule & Timing

The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) men who fought in Gallipoli during World War I are remembered on ANZAC Day, which is observed as a national day of commemoration in both countries. Every year on April 25, the day is recognized, and a number of activities are held to commemorate it, such as dawn services, marches, and wreath-laying ceremonies.

The Last Post is usually played, there is a moment of silence, and wreaths are laid during ANZAC Day celebrations, which usually begin in the early morning. Dawn services are an important element of these events. These commemorative events take place all around Australia and New Zealand, as well as in other nations where ANZAC soldiers have served, such Turkey.

It is significant to note that depending on the region and the particular year, the specifics and preparations for ANZAC Day services might change. For the most precise and recent information, it is preferable to verify with authoritative sources.

Melbourne:

People who live in Melbourne can go to the yearly Dawn Service that takes place at the Shrine of Remembrance. It starts at 5:30 am.

After the service, there is an annual Anzac Day march that will starts at 9am on Princes Bridge. It goes to the Shrine of Remembrance, where there is another commemorative service.

Sydney:

The commemorative Anzac Day Dawn Service will commence at 4:20am at The Cenotaph located in Martin Place. No tickets will be necessary for members of the public wishing to attend the two designated areas on George Street and between Pitt Street and Castlereagh Street. These areas will be open to the public until they reach … Read the rest

Jill Scott – Soulful Songstress and Grammy Award-Winning Artist

Jill Scott: A Soulful Songstress Who Touches Hearts and Minds

Jill Scott is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and actress known for her powerful voice, soulful melodies, and empowering lyrics. Born on April 4, 1972, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jill grew up in a family that valued music, literature, and education. Her father was a jazz musician and her mother was a teacher, which inspired her love for creativity and learning. Today, Jill is considered one of the most influential artists in the neo-soul and R&B genres, with a career spanning over two decades.

Early Life and Career

Jill Scott was raised by her mother and grandmother in North Philadelphia, where she attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls. After graduating, she enrolled at Temple University to study secondary education. However, she dropped out after three years to pursue her passion for music and poetry. In the early 2000s, Jill gained recognition for her collaborations with artists like The Roots and Will Smith. In 2000, she released her debut album, “Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1,” which was a critical and commercial success. The album featured hit songs like “A Long Walk” and “Gettin’ in the Way,” and earned Jill three Grammy nominations.

Musical Style and Themes

Jill Scott’s music is known for its fusion of jazz, soul, R&B, and hip-hop elements. Her lyrics often explore themes of love, self-acceptance, and social justice. She has been praised for her ability to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level, and for her empowering messages that inspire people to be their authentic selves. Jill’s music has been described as a “soulful therapy session,” as she … Read the rest

Who is Matt Hancock? A Comprehensive Look at the British Politician and Former Health Secretary

Matt Hancock is a British Conservative politician who has held a number of prominent positions in the UK government. Despite his high-profile roles, he has also been involved in a number of controversies throughout his career.

Early Life and Career

Matt Hancock was born in Chester, England in 1978. He attended Oxford University, where he earned a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). After graduating, he worked as an economist for the Bank of England and later for the Conservative Party.

Rising through the Ranks

In 2010, Hancock was elected to parliament as the Member of Parliament (MP) for West Suffolk. Over the next decade, he rose through the ranks of the Conservative Party, holding a number of key positions in the government.

Ministerial Roles

Hancock held a number of ministerial roles in the government, including Minister of State for Skills, Minister for the Cabinet Office, and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In 2018, he was appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, a position he held until his resignation in 2021.

Controversies

Despite his success in politics, Hancock has been involved in a number of controversies throughout his career. Here are some of the most notable:

COVID-19 Response

As Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Hancock was responsible for the UK’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While he received some praise for his handling of the crisis, he was also criticized for a number of missteps, including a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers and a delayed response to the emergence of new variants of the virus.

Affair

In 2021, Hancock was … Read the rest

You Should Have Produced 20 Children To Get 1 Quintal Free Ration Said Uttarakhand CM Rawat

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat said that poor people should give birth to more people to get more free-ration from the central government. He also said that America enslaved India for 200 years. He was speaking at a public function in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand on Sunday.

What did Tirath Singh Rawat say about childbirth?

He said that some families were jealous because they were getting lesser free rations under a central government scheme. The free ration was provided 5 kg per person in a family. A family of 10 got 50 kg ration and of 20 got a quintal. He said that when people had time, they gave birth to only two children. If they needed more ration, they should have produced 20 children. 

What did Tirath Singh Rawat say about America?

The CM blamed the US for 200 years of rule in India. He said that America enslaved India and ruled the whole world. He went on to say that the US was struggling to control the coronavirus pandemic. 

What did Tirath Singh Rawat say about ripped jeans?
It was an earlier remark where CM Rawat blamed families for not providing the right environment at home for their kids. He said that when he saw a woman running an NGO in ripped jeans, he thought about what kind of social work could that woman do in those attires. But he later issued an apology by repeating his statement that he was talking about the environment at his home.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3940HCC 

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PM Modi Launches Ken-Betwa River-Linking Project On The World Water Day 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen World Water Day 2021 to launch the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain” campaign in a video conference where he will start the Ken-Betwa Link project. 

What is the Ken-Betwa Link project?

Developed by the Jal Shakti ministry and states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, it is first-ever river-linking project in India. The river-linking will allow carrying water from the surplus areas to parched areas. 

What is World Water Day?

PM Modi chose March 22 to launch the first-ever river-linking project as a mark of celebration of World Water Day and to show his solidarity with the theme of World Water Day 2021. The theme is to “support the achievement of sustainable development goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030” and river-linking is the first big step towards this direction. 

What is the history of World Water Day?

In December 1992, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to observe World Water Day and decided to celebrate World Water Day every year on March 22. The first World Water Day was celebrated on March 22, 1993. Since then, March 22 is celebrated as World Water Day across the globe.

How to celebrate World Water Day 2021?

This year, the celebrations will be limited to virtual summits due to the pandemic situation. People can visit the website of the United Nations to participate in online conversations about the value of water for the people. They can use #Water2me and #WorldWaterDay to engage in online discussions.  

Source:- https://bit.ly/3cXK24P
  

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Real Sociedad vs Barcelona 1-6: See How The Seven Goals Were Scored

It was a thrilling performance by Barcelona that was playing under the Anoeta curse but it looked that the curse turned into a blessing for the Barca who scored 6 goals against 1 by Real Sociedad. 

The First Goal….

Barca got a breakthrough after an extended period of pressure from the host. In the 35th minute, Antoine Griezmann picked a rebound shot by Ousmane Dembélé saved a great shot by Jordi Alba but Antoine Griezmann to score the first goal of the match.

The Second Goal….

The match was in the 43rd minute when Lionel Messi played a perfect ball to Sergiño Dest who lost no time in scoring the second goal of the match.

The Third Goal….

In the 53rd minute, Jordi Alba gave a hurried shot to Dest to allow the American to score his second and the third goal for Barca.

The Fourth Goal….

In the 56th minute, Lionel Messi picked the ball from Busquets and shot it into the goalpost for his first and the fourth goal for Barca.

Goal Disallowed….

Ousmane Dembélé played a nice shot past Remiro but the goal was disallowed as he was far offside and the same had been confirmed by the VAR.

The Fifth Goal….

But nothing could stop Ousmane Dembélé in the 71st minute when the Frenchman took a beautiful solo run to deliver his second and fifth goal for Barca.

The Sixth Goal….

The Real Sociedad scored got its only goal in the 77th minute when Barrenetxea displayed a fantastic game.   

The Seventh Goal….

Captain Lionel Messi scored the sixth and the last goal of the match in the 89th minute when he … Read the rest

Canada’s Brookfield Tops The List Of Forbes Global 2000 List For 2020

In April, the real estate sector witnessed a sharp decline in rental income with only 10% to 20% of mall retailers paying their rents according to CBRE estimate. 

Forecast for real estate market

Experts believe that the realty market will take months to recover. Even the strongest sectors like warehouses and shops and hospitality sector requires from 12 to 36 months in recovering. But some largest property owners of the world have big plans to make a comeback.

Brookfield making a huge investment

In early May, Brookfield Asset Management announced that it was mulling to invest $5 billion in realty. It owns 152 million sq. ft. of retail space and approximately 300 million of space including apartments, hotels and offices. The company said that it was looking for partners that can draw on its capital and expertise to stabilize and grow Brookfield’s business.

Last year, Brookfield Asset Management made most assets ($324 billion), accrued highest revenues ($69 billion), reported second-highest profit ($2.8 billion) and became the fourth-highest market cap ($51 billion). And with these figures, Brookfield became the biggest public real estate investment company on the planet for 2020. And it has been retaining the top position for three years now. 

Realty companies on the recovery path

Equity Residential delayed rent increase and stopped eviction for 90 days starting March. Simon said that it planned opening at least 100 malls by May 15 and Prologis offered deep cleaning and a reopening checklist to those who want to comeback.

Here’re 10 top real estate companies of the world

1. Brookfield Asset Management, Canada 

Sales/Profit: $69.109/$2.803 billion

2. American Tower Corporation, United States

Sales/Profit: $7.760/$1.905 billion

3. … Read the rest

Elephant Toothpaste: Fun Experiment For Kids

Elephant Toothpaste is a foamy substance resulting in a chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide or yeast with warm water as a catalyst. But it resembles toothpaste being squeezed from a tube.

Popular science experiment

Also known as the “marshmallow experiment”, it is a popular experiment for kids to perform in schools and parties. Hydrogen peroxide decomposes after coming into contact with potassium iodide or yeast with warm water. While decomposing, it breaks down into hydrogen and water. The oxygen pushes the solution out of the container. 

Bubbles are formed when oxygen is trapped in the soap particles and the trapped oxygen forms a huge amount of foam that looks like a toothpaste being squeezed from a tube. Color is added to give it a dramatic effect. It is an exothermic reaction hence the foam produced is hot.

Precautions

The foam that oozes out from the bottle in which the chemicals are mixed is too hot to touch hence shouldn’t be touched until it cools down. Children can do this experiment but only under the supervision of their guardians. 

You can try it at home with potassium iodide or yeast with warm water

Learn both the steps….

Elephant Toothpaste with potassium iodide

1. A clean and transparent plastic bottle for experiment

2. Hydrogen peroxide liquid 

3. Potassium iodide solution or yeast and warm water

4. Liquid soap

5. Color (choose any color including food coloring)

Learn the process

Arrange all the ingredients on a washable surface as you can see that the final product oozes out from the bottle and spreads on the surface.

1. Carefully pour the hydrogen peroxide liquid (50 ml) … Read the rest