Festivals

Palm oil imports edged 0.5 per cent higher in November from the previous month to 850,000 metric tons, according to estimates from dealers

Discover the essence of this cherished holiday, from its historical roots to contemporary celebrations. Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the US and this year it will be celebrated on Nov 28

Guru Nanak Jayanti bank holiday 2024: Banks will remain shut in several states on Friday, November 15, 2024, due to Guru Nanak Jayanti and Karthika Purnima. Check the state-wise list here

Six crore passengers travelled during the festive season of Diwali and Chhath Puja and 3,500 special trains were operated to manage the rush, the Northern Railway said. Over 3 crore passengers travelled only on November 4, which is more than the combined population of Australia and New Zealand, Northern Railway (NR) said in a press statement. "Northern Railway has successfully navigated the unprecedented festive rush of Diwali and Chhath Puja, setting a new record by facilitating a staggering 6 crore passengers during this period," the NR said. It added, To cater to the surge in demand, Northern Railway operated a record 3,500 special trains, ensuring seamless connectivity for millions of travellers. This achievement is part of the larger Indian Railways' effort, which saw the operation of 7,724 special trains nationwide, enabling the facilitation of 20 crore passengers. Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer, NR, said, "We are proud to have successfully handled

Demand for edible oils was robust during the festival season, prompting refiners to replenish their inventories, said Rajesh Patel, managing partner at GGN Research, an edible oil trader and broker

The Delhi sky lit up on Thursday as people celebrated Diwali defying a ban on firecrackers. Areas including Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, Chhatarpur, Jaunapur, East of Kailash, Saket, Rohini, Dwarka, Punjabi Bagh, Vikas Puri, Dilshad Garden, Burari and many other neighbourhoods of east and west Delhi saw firecrackers being burst. At 9 pm, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 327, with Alipur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Aaya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Mathura Road, IGI Airport, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Patparganj, Rohini, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, Wazirpur, Mandir Marg, Nehru Nagar, Najafgarh and other weather-monitoring stations witnessing "very poor" air quality, according to the Sameer app that provides hourly updates of the National AQI published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). With the 24-hour AQI recorded at 328 at 4 pm, Delhi experienced its worst air quality on Diwali in the last three years. Following the practice of the last four years, the city ...

Colourful lights decked up buildings and diyas (earthen lamps) dotted houses as people across the country celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm on Thursday. In the national capital, the air quality continued to deteriorate, remaining in the 'very poor' category, with levels expected to worsen to the 'severe' category due to bursting of firecrackers at night. Keeping up his tradition of celebrating the festival with soldiers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sir Creek near the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat's Kutch district and offered sweets to jawans. Modi said India cannot compromise on even an "inch" of land on its borders, adding the people believe in the strength of its armed forces for defending the country. "In the past, attempts were made to turn this region into a battlefield. The enemy has set its eyes on this region for a long time. But we are not worried as you are guarding the nation. Our enemy also knows it well," he asserted. "People of India feel their country is

The five-day festive season has started with Dhanteras and people are confused about bank holidays. Check out when your state is observing a bank holiday. Is it October 31 or November 1?

Nine persons were injured in a stampede after rush for boarding a Gorakhpur-bound train at Bandra railway station in Mumbai on Sunday, civic and disaster control officials here said. The Western Railway, meanwhile, in a statement said two persons were injured in the incident. In view of the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivals, a large number of people planning to go to their native places had reached the Bandra Terminus where several passengers rushed to board the unreserved train when it was being brought on a platform, according to sources. The incident took place when people rushed to board train 22921 Bandra-Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express on platform no.1 at the Bandra Terminus, the civic official said. The Western Railway said the incident occurred at 2.45 am on platform number one of the Bandra Terminus when the Antyodaya Express was "slowly moving" from the BDTS (Bandra Terminus) yard towards the platform. "During this time, some passengers on the platform attempted to board

The Left government in Kerala has taken strong exception to the recent gazette notification issued by the Centre stipulating certain conditions for conducting fireworks, contending that these would be detrimental to the smooth conduct of the iconic Thrissur Pooram festival. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, State Revenue Minister K Rajan expressed that the notification issued by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on October 11 has brought "utter disappointment" to Pooram enthusiasts, for whom fireworks are an "integral part" of the festival. He sought the prime minister's personal intervention to amend the rules in order to allow the Thrissur Pooram to proceed with all its festivities and rituals. Among other stipulations, Condition No 2 requires that the licensed magazine be located at least 200 metres away from the display site. Noting that under the Explosive Rules of 2008, the prescribed distance had been 45 metres, the letter stated that the increase in thi

This week we report about how to review a discount home loan and what you need to take up running

The combined impact on the exchequer due to the DA and DR increases would be Rs 9,448.35 crore per annum, according to the press statement

Sharad Purnima is an auspicious Hindu festival celebrated across the country. It is believed that on this day, nectar rains from the rays of the moon

Karva Chauth is a significant festival marked by married Hindu women. This year, it will be celebrated on Oct 20. So, embrace the classic colours to make your look modern yet conventional

In Karwa Chauth 2024, women fast for their husbands' longevity. Karwa Chauth falls on October 20, 2024, this year. Chandra Puja is required before the fast is completed

Seventeen persons have been arrested and about a dozen cases registered after Bangladesh witnessed about 35 untoward incidents related to the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations across the country this month, police said here. The development comes a day after it was discovered that a hand-crafted golden mukut (crown) gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stolen from a Hindu temple in Bangladesh's southwestern Satkhira district amid Durga Puja celebrations, a theft over which India expressed concern. The five-day Hindu religious festival began with an invocation of Goddess Durga, an occasion called Maha Shasthi on Wednesday. The celebrations would conclude with the immersion of Goddess Durga murtis on Sunday. The minority Hindu population -- Hindus constitute just about 8 per cent of the 170 million Bangladesh population -- faced vandalism of their businesses, and properties and destruction of temples during the student-led violence that erupted following the ouster of Prime Minist

Maha Navami is the ninth and final day of Navratri, marking the culmination of devotion to Goddess Durga. This day celebrates the triumph of good over evil

Navratri 2024: Here are the simple tips to successfully fast during Navratri 2024

SoftBank-backed e-commerce firm Meesho on Monday said that it has recorded a 40 per cent growth year-on-year in total orders during the latest annual festival sales. The e-commerce firm claims to have recorded 145 crore customer visits during the 10 days long 'Meesho Mega Blockbuster Sale 2024'. "During our Mega Blockbuster Sale this year, we achieved over 40 per cent growth in orders, surpassing industry expectations. With around 3 crore app downloads and a 45 per cent increase in new-to-e-commerce users, we are reinforcing our commitment to making e-commerce accessible and affordable for millions across the country," Milan Partani, General Manager, User Growth at Meesho said. Meesho's flagship sale held from September 27 to October 6, 2024. "The company witnessed an impressive increase in demand this year, with total orders rising over 40 per cent compared to last year," the statement said. The company said that it observed around 45 per cent of the total customer visits from ti

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy announced here on Sunday that his government has decided to distribute 10 kg rice and 2 kg sugar, free of cost, through fair price shops to card holders before Diwali. Addressing media here, he said the decision to distribute free rice and sugar to all families covered under public distribution system in the Union Territory before Diwali was taken in keeping with the pleas from various quarters. The ration shops which have remained closed for some months now would be reopened to distribute rice and sugar. He said workers employed in fair price shops who remain unpaid for several months would be paid a month's salary when the shops reopen. The territorial government has finalized the tender for supply of rice and sugar. The CM noted that funds have been earmarked to procure the rice and sugar for the free distribution scheme. There are around three lakh families covered under public distribution system in the Union Territory.