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News

Brains from all around the Globe to gather in Udaipur

ETNCC-2011 to be held in Udaipur

The Institution of Engineers (India)–Udaipur Local Centre is organising a 3 day International Conference on Emerging Trends in Networks and Computer Communications (ETNCC-2011) from April 22-24, 2011 in Udaipur. This conference is being organised under the aegis of Computer Engineering Division Board, The Institution of Engineers (India) and supported by World Federation of Engineering Organization, Division IV and Udaipur Chapter, Computer Society of India (CSI), Special Interest Group of Wireless Networks CSI, Special Interest Group of e-Agriculture CSI, College of Technology & Engineering, Udaipur and Techno India NJR Institute of Technology, Udaipur and Technically Co-Sponsored by IEEE Delhi Section.

ETNCC-2011 will target a wide spectrum of the state-of-the-art as well as emerging topics pertaining to wired and wireless networks, communications and computing.

The Organizing secretary Mr. Dharm Singh informed that the conference is anticipated to attract a large number of high quality submissions and stimulate the cutting edge research discussions among many academic pioneering researchers, scientists, industrial engineers, students from all around the world and provide a forum to researchers on the above mentioned topics. The conference will include as many as about 300 national and about 50 international participants from countries like USA, Canada, UK, Taiwan, Tokyo (Japan), Austrailia, etc. Few of the honourable delegates joining this event are Prof. Sorel Reisman, 2011 President- IEEE Computer Society USA, Prof. MNS Swamy, Concordia University, Canada, Dr. V R Singh, Chairman, IEEE Delhi Section, etc

For a Time Schedule of the events to happen during the conference, Click Here

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Festivals

The Birth of the Spiritual Leader Who Gave Us Ahimsa : Mahavir

mahavir jayanti

Although many are aware of the Buddha or the deities of Hinduism, few of us know anything about Mahavir (599-527 BCE), whose birth the Jain community around the world will celebrate on April 16. This celebration is known as Mahavir Jayanti.

Jainism, along with Hinduism and Buddhism, are the three primary spiritual traditions of India, and archeological evidence indicates that although Mahavir was a contemporary of the Buddha, Jainism predated Mahavir by hundreds of years and, therefore, is the oldest religion in India.  Mahavir is considered to be the last in a line of what the Jains call “Tirthankaras,” which literally means “maker of a ford” and refers to a human being who achieves omniscience and then teaches the path to liberation to others, thereby establishing a ford across the river of rebirth.

A Tirthankara is also referred to as a “Jina,” which means “spiritual victor,” or as an “Arihant,” which means “destroyer of enemies.”  A Jina or Arihant is a victor or destroyer in that he or she has conquered inner emotions and passions, and has complete equanimity that is characterized by an absence of attachment and aversion.

Mahavir was a social revolutionary.  He rejected the caste system and the sexism that pervaded the society of his time (and that unfortunately persists), and promoted a radical social justice movement based on complete equality and equal inherent value.  He did not limit this revolution to humans and was the first historical figure to regard all nonhuman animals as full members of the moral community.

He was also the first historical figure to articulate the view that the planet itself, including air, water, and earth, consists of living systems.  Mahavir was, indeed, the first ecologist.

The notion of revolution is often connected with violence, particularly in modern times.  The central feature of Mahävir’s revolution, however, was Ahimsa, or nonviolence.  Mahavir provided the most expansive concept of Ahimsa that the world has ever known not only by extending this notion to include all living beings, but by making clear that violence was not simply a matter of what we did, but what we thought and said.

Mahavir also taught us about two other central tenets of Jainism:

  • Anekäntaväda or the notion that truth is many sided
  • Aparigraha or non-possessiveness.

These two principles cannot be understood except as aspects of Ahimsa.  The doctrine of Anekäntaväda serves to promote social harmony and to reduce the violence that results from absolutist views of truth.  The doctrine of Aparigraha recognizes that attachment to wealth and the accumulation of material things makes us more inclined to act in violent and destructive ways.

Mahävir taught that;

“All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away.”

Ächäränga Sutra

This is the only moral or spiritual principle that we need to know. If we live by this principle, we will be at peace with ourselves and the world will be at peace. Whatever our religious tradition may be, let us celebrate Mahavir Jayanti 2011 by recommitting ourselves to a simple but profound idea that all may embrace:  Ahimsa.

A Post By: Gary L. Francione (Professor, Rutgers University)

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Social

Cycle Rally to Increase Awareness about Health on World Health Day

World Health Day

A group of over 20 students on bicycles with posters, over 75 pedestrians with slogans and an experienced team of Hangout Adventures guiding the students all the way – that’s how the rally organised by Seedling Modern Public School and Hangout Adventures was like. This joint initiative was taken in order to increase awareness about health and to promote cycling as a healthy and green mode of transportation on the occasion of the World Health Day.

In the morning around 7:30am, about 20 students aged 10-16yrs started gathering at Madhuvan, in front of the Firefox Bike Station. Full of energy, students were motivated and guided by the teachers and the team at Hangout Adventures. Within minutes, the students were ready with the posters attached to their cycles and were all set for the rally. After starting the rally at Madhuvan, the riders went to Sukhadiya
Circle from where they pedalled all the way to Fatah Sagar. At Fatah Sagar, the rally was joined by several pedestrians from the Seedling School. Several students were cheering about healthy living and they were joined by other people passing by. From Fatah Sagar, the rally went on to Chetak Circle and took a stop at Madhuvan.

Some of the slogans used in the rally were:

“Easy on the pedal, gentle on the brake, save both cash and petrol, the
environment’s at stake”

“The greatest wealth is health”

“Disease is somatic, the suffering from it, psychic”

“Cycle: It saves petrol and keeps you fit”

“Gold that buys health can never be ill spent”

“Save petrol: For it is the oil of life!”

Check out the pictures from the rally. Well done guys!

Post By: Rohit Gautam 🙂

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Festivals

Gangaur Festival 2011

Gangaur – A Festival dedicated to the marriage Lord Shiva(Gan) and Goddess Parvati(Gaur). Gangaur festival begins on the first day in Chaitra month continues till the fourth day in Shukla Paksha. It is an 18 day Celebration which starts from 21st March, The day after Holi. Gangaur 2011 is to be celebrated today on 6th April.

In Udaipur the devotees will carry the idols of the Goddess Gauri in a procession through different parts of the City uptil the Beautiful Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichola.

Ghangaur Festival , Mewar Festival Udaipur
Gangaur Festival in 2010. (Click to Enlarge)

Image Credits: Ygoy

Mewar Festival (6th-8th April 2011) coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur.

Today there will be a Gangaur procession from Clock Tower to Ghangaur Ghat Accompanied with the Royal Boat procession from Bansi Ghat to Ghangaur Ghat. It is a mesmerizing Event that everyone in Udaipur must Visit to see. On 7th April there will be Cultural Evening at The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal.

Mewar Festival Udaipur

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Festivals

Cheti Chand: New Year eve for the Sindhi Community

lord jhulelal
Image Credit

All About Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand is the Sindhi New Year Day celebrated on the second day of Cheti month (Chaitra month). This year  Cheti Chand falls on April 5, 2011. This festival is similar to other Hindu New Year festivals. Cheti Chand is celebrated as a commemoration of birthday of Sindhi patron saint Jhulelal. This festival is to give honor the birth of Water God (Varun Devta) popularly known as Jhulelal. The Sindhi community is seen wishing each other in the native Sindhi Language “Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav”, which means lacs of wishes for Happy Cheti Chand. Historically Cheti Chand is the birthday of Lal Sain Amarlal hence this is the most important day for the sindhi community and celebrated with that high spirit and emotions.

How we celeberate it

As a tradition, followers of Jhulelal observe Chaliho Sahab. It suggests that for forty long days and nights they underwent ritual on the bank of Sindhu. They did not shave, nor did they wear new clothes or shoes. They did not use soap or oil or any opulent thing. They just washed their clothes, dried them and wore them again. In the evening, they worshipped Lord Varuna, sang songs in his praise and prayed for their solace and salvation. After 40 days of Chaaliho, the followers of Jhulelal celebrate the occasion with festivity as ‘Thanks Giving Day’ even till today.

On this day, many Sindhis take Baharana Sahib to a nearby river or lake. Baharana Sahib consists of Jyot (Oil Lamp), Misiri (Crystal Sugar), Phota (Cardamom), Fal (Fruits), and Akha. Behind is Kalsh (Water jar) and a Nariyal (Coconut) in it, covered with cloth, phool (flowers) and patta (leaves). There is also a Murti (Idol) of Pujya Jhulelal Devta.

Sindhis keep their shops and activities closed on this day even food is not cooked at the home  and  they gathered at community building (at Jhulelal Temple, where after a session of singing, worship of Jhulelal is made and procession of Bahrano is taken out. Cities Like Ulhasnagar, Ajmer, Indore, Kolhapur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Surat etc are famous for unique style of Cheti Chand celebration and huge gathering of sindhi people.In City of Lakes at Shakti  nagar  there is a temple of Jhulelal sahib where a fair is organized by the community peoples  on ” Sindhi New Year Day”. Various types of treats are also available for common community peoples.

There  are various places in Lakecity where this holy festival is celebrated with great spirit one of which is located at :-

  • Pratap nagar –in the shiv temple
  • Jawaher nagar Sindhu bhavan
  • Hiran magri sector 5

In UDAIPUR the main temple of Jhulelal sahib (Sanathan Mandir) is situated at Shakti Nagar. Its main feature is a JYOT which is brought by the Ancestors of Sindhi Community after separation of HINDUSTAN (India) & PAKISTAN (1947).

In Udaipur in 2011 its celebration started two days before the “CHETI CHAND” as under

  • 3rd April 2011:- Blood donation camp
  • 4th April 2011:- Cultural night at Shukhadia rangmanch
  • 5th April 2011:- Main event (“CHETI CHAND”) at various temples of Jhulelal Sahib

The usual tradition is that on this day Sindhis bring out procession of water God Lord Jhulelal, In the form of Bahrano Sahib from Sindhudham (Jawaher nagar) to Sanatan temple in Shakti nagar where the holy MAHA ARTI takes place . During the procession of Bahrano Sahib traditional sindhi folk dance “Chhej” is performed by all age group Sindhis. After that talented Sindhi students are awarded for their excellence in academics. On this eve of NEW YEAR a Sindhi Fair is also organized by the community people, followed by an arrangement of refreshment is made for all Sindhi Community people.

Lastly, at night there is Visarjan ceremony of Bahrano Sahib.

Here are few of the glimpses of the past years’ celebrations

Structure made by straws in year 2008 in Udaipur
Structure made by straws in year 2008 in Udaipur
Statueof Jhulelal sahib by balloons in 2009
Statueof Jhulelal sahib by balloons in 2009
Statueof Jhulelal sahib by balloons in 2009
Statueof Jhulelal sahib by balloons in 2009
Sturuture of Jhulelal sahib made by lamps in year 2010
Sturuture of Jhulelal sahib made by lamps in year 2010

ACHIEVMENTS BY THE SINDHI COMMUNITY PEOPLE:-

The people and community (“APNA SANGHATAN”) involved in making the different images of Jhulelal with the help of marbles without using adhesive  were even mentioned in the Limca book of records in 2006-07 namely Mr. Surendra Arora, and Mr. Virendra Khabrani

Team UdaipurBlog greets everyone with best wishes on Chetichand

—————————

A post by- Madhuri Tharani

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Photos

Udaipur at the 2068th Hindu New Year

New Year udaipur

The oldest existing, and proudly Indian calendar, Vikram Samvat entered its 2068th year today. In honouring the Indian culture, all the main streets of the city saw children from Alok Sansthan offering Tilak, Gud, Coriander seeds and Neem leaves, as a souvenir of good luck and health throughout the year. In the evening, there was a great celebration at Doodh Talai. This was not only a celebration, but also a tradition in Udaipur which is kept alive since past 30 years.
The entire Doodh Talai was crowded with enthusiastic Udaipies as well as many honourable dignitaries which included Ex MLA Gulab Chand Katariya, Municipal Corporation Chairman Mrs. Rajni Dangi, founder of Alok Sansthan Mr. Shyam Lal Kumawat, and many more.

Mrs Rani Dangi emphasized on keeping the city and our lakes clean, and appeal for disposal of minimal waste into lakes was made. The programme was then followed by the Deep Pravah, and huge rounds of fireworks.

Here we present a few glimpses of the celebration for those who missed being on the spot.

Team UdaipurBlog wishes everyone a very happy and prosperous new year.

New year 2068

DIya

Fireworks

Pic Dudh talai

ministers

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Social

Taste Your Health at the Food Festival in Udaipur

Food Fest Welcome

A two day food festival has been organised in the city by Shikshantar, a Non Profit organisation on the theme of Jaso Ann, Vaso Man or You are what you eat. The fest has been organised in the Hanuman Temple at Devali near Fateh Sagar between 4-8 p.m. in the evening. Being a variety food lover I made up my mind to visit the place. When I went there I was warmly welcomed by Mr. Manish Jain, the co-founder of Shikshantar. There were many stalls with mouth watering dishes.

Food Fest Banner

The dishes were few famous national and international cuisines we have often heard of, but they have been modified with the local and healthier contents.  To begin with, I started with Tacos, originally a Mexican dish, but modified as per the regional grains and vegetation stuffs of Rajasthan. The crispy base was prepared of the “Khakhra” and the topping of salads and “Rajma” or red kidney beans. The next attraction was of the Veg Kababs made of beetroot or “Chukandar”, with a nice blend of flavours of coconut and coriander chutney.

The cookie sandwiches made of Mal, Ragi or Finger Millet and fresh fruits stuffed within redefined my dictionary meaning of sweet dish, to a healthier one. Sweet dish made of sanwa, a local foodstuff,  coconut laddoos, pineapple puddings, Jwar ki kheer,  pinapple and Sabudana Kheer , Kokam Sharbat (Squash made of kokam) and Pina Colada (A blend of coconut milk and pineapple juice), Ragi steam bread sandwitches, etc  were few more delicious, yet healthy food items present at the fest.

Mal Cookie Sandwitches
Mal Cookie Sandwitches
Veg Beetroot Kababs With Coriander and Coconut Chutney
Veg Beetroot Kababs With Coriander and Coconut Chutney
Mr. Manish Jain (In Kurta) explaining the qualities and nessecity of Healthy food
Mr. Manish Jain (In Kurta) explaining the qualities and nessecity of Healthy food

“Fast food has always harmed the healthy living. This food fest is in support of the concept of Slow Food movement, or the movement for switching to our home made food with local food stuffs. Today the high price we are paying for our eatables in the market is actually for the bulk amount of pesticides, insecticides, and harmful chemicals which eventually make way to our stomach. The crops like Ragi, Mal, Bajra are available locally and has been grown in villages and tribal areas from ancient times in this region. They have capacity to withstand intense climate changes. They are not so often attacked by insects, pests, etc and have great nutritive values, much greater than our conventional sources such as wheat, milk etc. These things just need to be promoted to the common masses, who want to sustain with a healthy living”

-Manish Jain

I met the enthusiastic team behind this innovative concept. The concept was coined by Manoj Prajapat and Surendra Gandharva, popularly known as Sunny. The team is energetic, confident, determined, and making every effort to promote the healthy living.

“I started working on the concept of Healthy food and healthy alternatives to fast food with Manoj Prajapat. We have worked for many years, and evolved with our idea, and made them better day by day. All the dishes presented here are cooked in zero oil and zero fat (Ghee/Butter), all the stuffs are either in their raw forms or steamed, as every nutritive value is lost on frying or cooking. We haven’t even used the cow’s milk, so as to ensure zero animal content. Coconut milk has been used as its alternative. In the sweet dishes, every care has been taken care of to ensure that there is minimal usage of additional sweeteners, and the natural sweetness has been emphasized. Still, wherever needed, we have used Gud and Misri instead of sugar.”

– Surendra Gandharva

The Food Fest will be continuing today also, with an entirely different menu than yesterday. This fest is open to all. This is a healthy initiative, and I recommend all to give a visit and taste the health. 🙂

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News

BMW 6 Series 650i Launch in Udaipur

BMW 6 Series 650i Convertible

BMW 6 Series 650i Convertible

The Beautiful City of lakes witnessed a launch of  BMW 6 Series 650i Convertible for Indian Markets. The launch was held at lake front of Beautiful Hotel Leela Kempinski situated on the banks of the Beautiful Lake Pichola surrounded by beautiful Palaces and Aravalli hills. The Car was unveiled by  Dr. Andres Schaaf president BMW India followed with a ramp walk by beautiful models exhibiting Designs of famous Indian fashion designer Suneet verma’s couture collection.

Dr. Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW India said,

“The new BMW 6 Series Convertible with its breathtaking aesthetics is the perfect vehicle for an exclusive lifestyle. The elegant silhouette, torquey engine, perfect road holding and refined interiors with perfection to the smallest detail, create an ultra-luxurious open-top driving experience that could not possibly get any better.”

The Car will be available at the Ex show room price of 95,00,000 (95 Lakhs) only 😉

It is rather a note worthy thing that the city has Good number of Luxury Cars like Mercedes, BMW’s and Audi’s but the city is yet to witness the opening up of showrooms of theses luxury car brands. Right now people who wish to own these masterpiece s have to fulfill their desire by booking these cars either from Jaipur or Ahemdabad  the nearest Metro cities.

Udaipur is becoming a popular place for grand launches of International brands from across the world. A year ago Hollywood’s famous actress Liz Hurley was seen in the city shooting and modeling for a famous lingerie brand where the shoot took place between the Lake Pichola.

More Pictures:

Source: ICB

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Festivals Photos and Videos

Holi : A Day To Celebrate Colours

Holi Colours

Holi is a festival of colors, brotherhood, integrity and prosperity. The festival seems to have started several centuries before Christ as can inferred from its mentions in the religious work of Jaimini’s Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka- Grhya-Sutra. Since then the festival is celebrated around the globe at its heights. The date of Holi is decided according to the Hindu calendar according to which the date lying on the Phalgun Purnima is considered the day for Holi. Like all Indian and Hindu festivals, Holi is inextricably linked to mythical tales. Some of them are:

  1. The Holika-Hiranyakashipu-Prahlad episode,
  2. Lord Shiva’s killing of Kamadeva,
  3. The story of the ogress Dhundhi, and
  4. The Radha Krishna legend.

The Holika-Hiranyakashipu-Prahlad episode:

The legend drives its name from Holika, the sister of megalomaniac king Hiranyakashipu who cpmmanded everyone to worship him, instead his little son Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The ordered is sister to kill his son who has got the power to walk through the fire unharmed, she picked up the child and walked in. However it was said that Prahal was saved by Lord Vishnu and Holika was burnt to ashes.

Radha-Krishna Episode:

Another very famous tale related to the festival of colors.  It was said that often Lord Krishna often used to complain her mother, why Radha is so air I color? Once her mother replied that apply the color on Radha’s face and see how complexion changes. Lord Krishna used to play pranks with from which throughing color powder is most common. Since then to memorize the immortal love of Lord Krishna and Radha the festival of colors is celebrated.

Holi in Mewar:

From the time of Maharana Fateh Singh the practice of ‘holika dahan’ is performed in the city of lakes. A dry semal tree is digged few days before. In the beginning the ‘holika-dahan’ was performed only at city palace and ‘badi-holi’ an area in the narrow streets of Udaipur. But with the passage of time and the expansion of the city ‘holika-dahan’ is performed in almost every street of the city. Now a days the famous one is that of Jagdish Chowk followed by cultural events where one can see the large crowed on people no matter from what religion they are. Everyone is gathered for a common cause i.e. to celebrate the victory of good over bad, truth over lie.

The next day of holika dahan is dulhandi on which people without any age boundation used to play with colors such as abeer, gulal etc. around the city. One can find groups playing with colors, splitting water or throwing water balloons and saying don’t mind, its holi (hindi: bura na mano, holi hai.) The festival is celebrated in the city with immense joy without any caste and creed discrimination. The UB team at last wishes you a very happy holi.

Some Pictures Of Around the City Udaipur:

Video Of Holi Dahan @ Jagdish Chowk By Vishrut Joshi

Categories
Festivals Photos

A Holi Close to Our Roots

Heartiest greetings on the colourful occasion of Holi. We all know the importance of Holi as well as the story behind celebrating Holi as well as Holika Dehen. It dates back to very ancient history and mythology when king Hiranyakashayp ordered his son Prahlad to be burnt who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap’s sister Holika consented to accompany Prahlad in the fire as she had a blessing that no fire could ever burn her so as to ensure his demise.  Holika sat on pyre with Prahalad. Holika burnt alive while Prahalad was saved by the Lord.

But now-a-days we are going far away from our roots, our culture. The traditions have either become a formality, or a commercial venture, or rather an extinct or endangered culture. In deep thoughts about the same, I visited a small village/rural area to find out if the culture still alive, and to my surprise, yes it was.

The place I visited was a developing rural area in the interiors of the village Shobhagpura in Udaipur. This remote area witnessed the concrete roads for the first time just before few months. Here all the villagers and other people live in true harmony. I was welcomed by Mr. Gopal Prasad, an independent journalist, who has settled here in search of peace.

It was about 7.15 in the evening; small girls were seen making rangolis near the location. Village ladies and housewives were seen worshipping the structure. Slowly the crowd started to gather, and as happens every year, the worship and rituals were performed by the eldest person living in the village, who fired up the Holika.

Holi in a village

In next few minutes the entire area was filled with light and heat of the huge fire. Mr. Gopal informed that the villagers offer a share of the new harvest of wheat to the fire, and the roasted wheat grains so obtained is distributed to all as the Prasad. Any newborn baby is also made to revolve around the holy fire. It is believed that all the evil forces are burnt away with the fire and the spirit becomes pure and clean.

Eldest member of the Village performing the Rituals
Eldest member of the Village performing the Rituals

Eldest member of the Village performing the Rituals

Holika Dehen Rituals being performed
Holika Dehen Rituals being performed

Holi in a villageHoli in a villageHoli in a village

offering the first harvest of wheat to the fire
Offering the first harvest of wheat to the fire

Finally I was happy on my way back home. All i was taking along with me was not only the roasted wheat grains, but were memories, a warm, friendly welcome at the village, more knowledge about our cultures, and an entirely different Holi to remember for the lifetime.

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Colourful and Safe Holi. Enjoy a lot but remember to Save Water 🙂