Onam

'Promotes social harmony': President Murmu greets citizens on Onam eve

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday greeted citizens on the eve of Onam and said the "festival of prosperity" encourages all to promote social harmony. This festival of joy and enthusiasm is celebrated to mark the harvesting of crops, she said. "It is also an occasion to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Kerala. On this occasion we also express our deep gratitude to the farmers, who work tirelessly to feed our nation. This festival of prosperity also encourages us to promote social harmony," Murmu said in her message on the eve of Onam. "May the peace and unity of the country continue to be strengthened and we work together for making India a developed nation," she said. The President extended warm greetings and best wishes to all citizens, "especially the brothers and sisters of Kerala living in India and abroad", on Onam.

Unique 600kg-floral Onam tribute honours UAE's spirit of generosity

In a heartfelt tribute to the UAE's values and the spirit of the harvest festival of Onam, healthcare workers at a hospital in Abu Dhabi have created a special pookkalam, a traditional Malayali floral carpet, with 600 kg of flowers flown in from India. This year's floral display at Abu Dhabi's Burjeel Medical City (BMC) symbolised the UAE's focus on tolerance, generosity, peace, sustainability and innovation, while also embracing the spirit of Onam, a festival known for its message of togetherness. The giant pookkalam, made with 600 kg of fresh flowers flown in from India, was arranged by over 100 healthcare workers in the atrium of BMC, the flagship hospital of Burjeel Holdings. Onam is more than just a festival for us; it is a time to reflect on the values of togetherness and community. This year, we wanted our floral carpet to not only symbolise Onam but also reflect the values that the UAE stands for," said Dr Sanjay Kumar, Chief Human Resources Officer of Burjeel Holdings. "It

Onam 2024: Date, History, and Significance of Kerala's Biggest Festival

Onam, the 10 days of festive joy in Kerala, is being celebrated from September 6-15. Onam is also attributed to the arrival of Lord Mahabali, according to the legend

Onam gift: Kerala govt announces two-month pension for 6.2 mn beneficiaries

The CPI(M)-led Left government in Kerala on Friday announced disbursement of a two-month pension for over 60 lakh beneficiaries, marking an Onam gift. Announcing the decision, state Finance Minister K N Balagopal said that Rs 1,700 crore has been allocated for this purpose. "Around 62 lakh people will receive Rs 3,200 each for Onam. This is in addition to the one month's pension that is currently being given," he said in a statement here. The decision to disburse the Social Security and Welfare Fund pension to beneficiaries starting next week is seen as an attempt by the Left government to regain its mass base, lost during the Lok Sabha polls. Earlier, the CPI(M) and its allies had attributed their humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha polls to delayed settlement of dues and recommended a course correction. In the polls, the LDF won just one seat, while the Congress-led UDF secured 18 seats, and the BJP opened its account for the first time in the state's political history. Balagop

Happy Onam 2024: Top 50 wishes, messages, and quotes to share today

Onam celebrations: The 10-day festival is widely celebrated especially in Kerala. This year, the festival will begin today, September 6, 2024

Liquor worth Rs 759 cr sold by Bevco between August 21-30 in Kerala

The Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) this year registered a record liquor sale of around Rs 759 crore between August 21-30 amidst the Onam festival. The liquor sales this year was 8.5 per cent more than last year's Rs 700 crore during the same period, KSBC CMD Yogesh Gupta told PTI. "Between August 21 and 30, liquor worth around Rs 759 crore was sold by KSBC. Last year it was Rs 700 crore," he noted. On Uthradom (on the eve of Thiruvonam day), KSBC, also known as Bevco, sold alcohol worth Rs 116.19 crore which was also more than last year's Rs 112.07 crore on the same day. "Around 6 lakh customers were served by Bevco shops on Uthradom day (August 28). More than 2,000 customers per shop on an average on a single day," Gupta said. While there was no liquor sales on Thiruvonam -- on August 29 -- the next day saw sales of around Rs 93 crore, he added. There are around 301 government-run liquor outlets across the State.

Manchester City's "Happy Onam" Instagram post in Malayalam goes viral

English Premier League club Manchester City's Instagram post extending Onam wishes in Malayalam went viral on the internet and warmed the hearts of the local populace. Manchester City wished Malayalees across the world "Happy Onam" in Malayalam, as a result of which the Instagram picture went viral and warmed the club's fan base in Kerala. While the image focuses on superstar Erling Haaland in blue jersey biting into a fried pappadam, the background shows two houseboats lined up close to a piece of land defined by coconut trees, catching the instant attention of Malayalees across world. Kerala Tourism reposted the image on Facebook, saying "The team with 32 major honours in the English Premier League wishes all Malayalees a happy Onam. Manchester City has quite a dedicated Malayalee following all over the world. This, too, earned a flurry of congratulations, a Kerala Tourism statement said here on Thursday. Commenting on the post, Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said on

Happy Onam 2023: Wishes, Quotes, Celebration, Special Dishes and Sweets

Onam is an important harvest celebration, holds extraordinary significance in the Indian state of Kerala. This year Onam is celebrated from August 20 to August 31, 2023

Celebration of Onam by all gives message of social harmony: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday greeted citizens on the eve of Onam and said the celebration of the festival by all irrespective of their religious and caste identities gives a message of social harmony. The festival marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a unique example of Kerala's rich cultural heritage, the president said in a message. "This festival is also an occasion to express gratitude towards nature. Celebration of this festival by all irrespective of their religious and caste identities also gives a message of social harmony," Murmu said. She extended best wishes to all fellow citizens living in India and abroad, especially the brothers and sisters of Kerala and hoped that "this joyous festival inspires us to contribute to the progress of our nation and strengthen the spirit of brotherhood among fellow citizens.

Kerala HC raps state govt over delay in disbursing salaries to KSRTC staff

The Kerala High Court on Monday criticised the state government over delay in disbursing salaries to the state-run corporation KSRTC staff, especially during the ongoing festive season of Onam, and directed it to make provisions for Rs 30 crore before August 24, when it will conduct further hearing on the matter. Justice Devan Ramachandran, in his order, said delay in payments can only lead to "unnecessary strife and controversy" within the ranks of the KSRTC. "It is rather intriguing that the Government is unable to inform this court of any alternative for the KSRTC apart from the monthly assistance being given to them by them; but still delays payment until the end of the month," the order said. Justice Ramachandran said while the entire state was in celebratory mode for Onam, the court "certainly cannot countenance" that the employees of KSRTC, especially its drivers and conductors, are without salary for July, 2023. The court said it failed to understand why the government ...

Onam 2023: History, significance, celebration, and important dates

Kerala has begun the celebration of their most auspicious festival. The Onam Festival 2023 commences from August 20 and will conclude on August 31, 2023

Kerala govt to give free Onam kits to poor families, welfare institutions

The Kerala government on Wednesday decided to provide over six lakh free Onam kits to poor families and residents of welfare institutions in the state for the festival this year. The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a statement issued by his office said. It was decided in the meeting that Rs 32 lakh would be allocated in advance to Supplyco, a state-run agency, to procure the items for the kit which would be distributed through ration shops, the statement said. Of the 6,07,691 kits to be distributed, 5,87,691 will go to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card holders and the remaining 20,000 to residents of welfare institutions, it said. The kit will contain tea, whole and split varieties of green gram, semolina payasam mix, ghee, cashew nuts, coconut oil, sambar powder, chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, toor dal, powdered salt and a cloth bag, the statement said. Earlier in July, state Finance Minister K N Balagopal had .

Kerala Tourism to market Onam celebrations globally: Minister Riyas

Kerala Tourism will make all efforts to market Onam celebrations as a tourism product globally by formulating innovative campaigns, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said on Thursday. He was speaking after inaugurating a function held here for distribution of prizes of various contests relating to the cultural pageantry and global Onam 'pookalam' conducted by the Tourism Department as part of the week-long Onam celebrations organised by the Kerala Government. "A symbol of resilience, hope and equality, Onam has become a significant product that can attract domestic and foreign tourists. With the formation of tourism clubs in some foreign cities including London, the Tourism department has already initiated efforts to market the next year's Onam globally. By prominently projecting the unique features of various destinations, we will be able to ensure greater flow of tourists to the state from across the world during the Onam season," the Minister said. Presiding over the function,

Ad spends likely to get double-digit boost as festive cheer returns

Ad spend projected to be Rs 30,000 crore this time - growth of 15% over last year's Rs 26,000 crore

Auto driver-cum-chef Anoop on cloud nine as he wins Rs 25-cr Onam lottery

An auto-rickshaw driver, who was planning to go to Malaysia to work as a chef, on Sunday won the Rs 25 crore Onam bumper lottery in Kerala, just a day after his application for a loan of Rs 3 lakh was approved. Even more interesting is that Anoop, hailing from Sreevaraham here, bought the winning ticket -- TJ 750605 -- on Saturday. But it was not his first choice, he told media persons who were present at the agency where he had bought the ticket. He did not like the first ticket he chose, so he opted for a different one which turned out to be a winner, he said. Regarding the loan and his Malaysia trip, an ecstatic Anoop said, "The bank called today regarding the loan and I said I don't need it anymore. I will not be going to Malaysia either." He has been buying lottery tickets for the last 22 years and has won amounts ranging from a few hundreds to a maximum of Rs 5,000 in the past, Anoop said. "I was not expecting to win and therefore, I was not watching the lottery results on

PM Modi extends Onam greetings, says festival reaffirms farmers' importance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended his greetings to people on the occasion of Onam, stating that the "festival reaffirms the vital role of our hardworking farmers"

Happy Onam 2022: Wishes, top 20 quotes, messages and WhatsApp status

Happy Onam 2022: Onam is celebrated in Kerala, India today. Read this detailed report on what types of messages, quotes and WhatsApp status you can share with your loved ones

Kerala likely to witness all-time high liquor sales this Onam: BevCo

According to the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BevCo), the first few days of this Onam season have set the tone for record sales

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Here's a full list of bank and school holidays in Sept 2022; Check details

Banks and schools might be closed for the first three days of September. Why bank holidays are called bank holidays? Read this detailed article to know the number of holidays in the month of September