Tag: India

Categories
Festivals

Feminine Era: Celebrating the Women’s day

International Women’s Day celebrated each year on March 8 remains as a vibrant day in the women’s calendar. In the words of Late Pt Jawaharlal Nehru: “You can’t tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women“.

As we will be celebrating women’s day on 8th March, I feel that it is my duty to express my gratitude to all women in my life, as a mother, sister, friend, and peer to all known and unknown women.

International Women’s Day (8 March) is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day.

International Women’s Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for “liberty, equality, and fraternity” marched on Versailles to demand women’s suffrage.

The idea of an International Women’s Day first arose at the turn of 20th century, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies.

International Women’s Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for “liberty, equality, and fraternity” marched on Versailles to demand women’s suffrage.

The idea of an International Women’s Day first arose at the turn of 20th century, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies.

Forbes magazine has made a list of the 100 most powerful women in the world. Magazine looked for women who run countries, big firms or influential nonprofits organization for compiling the list. Their rankings are a combination of two scores: visibility in press and media and the size of the organization or country these women lead.

Top ten ladies selected for year 2010 are

1. Michelle Obama (First Lady Michelle Obama,U.S.)

'Operation Gratitude' at Rfk Stadium in Washington, D.C., America - 19 Jan 2009

2. Irene Rosenfeld (Chief Executive, Kraft Foods)

3. Oprah Winfrey (Talk show host and media mogul)

oprah

4. Angela Merkel (Chancellor, Germany)

5. Hillary Rodham Clinton (Secretary of State, U.S.)

6. Indra Nooyi (Chief Executive, Pepsico, India)

7. Lady Gaga (Singer and performance artist)

8. Gail Kelly (Chief Executive, Westpac)

9. Beyoncé Knowles (Singer and fashion designer)

10. Ellen DeGeneres (Talk show host)

The list of dedicated dynamic women personalities of Udaipur are

  • Ms.Girija vyas( Chairperson of National Women Commission)

  • Rajni Dangi (Sabhapati of Muncipal corporation)

  • Mrs.Padmaja Kumari (Jt. Managing Director, HRH Group of Hotels)

  • Mrs. Anshu Kothari (Secretary General of Udaipur Chambers Of Commerce and Indust)

  • Mrs.Shradha Gattani( Managing Director, Oriental Palace Resorts)

  • Dr. Sweety Chhabra(Managing Director, NICC)

  • Mrs. Alka Sharma (Founder, Central Public School (CPS)),

  • Mrs.Meera Ranawat (Chairperson of Techno India NJR Inst. of Technology)
  • DR. Sudha Kothari (Gynecologist)

and many more like them working in their respective field with hats off confidence and grace.

Women are often not thanked or shown gratitude. I doubt if a man can ever do what a woman does and manage both the career and family with the patience and zeal of a woman. A man too takes care of both but there are many aspects that a woman is capable of doing but a man is not. It’s not to put down the men, but we have all witnessed this at our place and elsewhere, so I take the liberty in saying these powerful statements.

Honouring Gratitude from Team UdaipurBlog to all Women across the globe.

You May Also Check : It’s our day – It’s Women’s Day

– By Chetna Purohit

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

About the author – Chetna Purohit is a young Udaipurite pursuing her Engineering in Computer Science (2nd Year).

Categories
News

Pulse Polio: Do Boond Zindagi ke

Polio Sunday at polio booth

Its the pulse polio campaign again. Every state, every city, every street, every home is participating in the movement to eradicate polio from India. A three day nationwide campaign has started in the country from today. Udaipur has shown a positive response to the campaign and many parents can be seen bringing their children to the polio booths.

This is a three day campaign. For the 1st day, i-e today, many booths have been set up at all places in the city, in every prime and sensitive location, where a team of medical students/doctors are present to provide the polio vaccination. Today this programme is scheduled till 5 p.m. in the evening. For an estimate, there are about 20+ booths in the city by the government medical college students, and even more by the private medical colleges, and at all the hospitals.

For the 2nd day, the team will be doing the field work which will include door to door survey to ensure that every child has been vaccinated, and if not, they must be provided with it. The same will be done on the 3rd day too to ensure no child is left on the second day too.

Along with this arrangement, there are many mobile vans which will travel all around the city and the peripherals for ensuring the perfect success of the programme, by supervising the programme, as well as covering all remote areas, such as any construction sites, slums, etc. The mobile van will consist of a doctor/supervisor, two nurses, and two medical students on an average.

(as told by a medical student at a polio booth)

Polio Sunday

Polio Sunday

Polio Sunday

Polio Sunday


——————————————————————————————————————————————————-

This is an UdaipurBlog appeal to all the alert Udaipies to kindly take your children up to the age of 5 years to the nearest polio booth, as well as encourage your neighbours, your household workers(if any). Spread the awareness and help the country to develop, grow and prosper. 🙂

Categories
News

January 2011: Quick Flashback

Yeah it is indeed the 1st of Feb, lots of new plans for the upcoming month, for the near approaching exams, the season of marriages, Basant Panchmi, of course not to forget the Valentine’s Day, and lots more. After all, “khush hai zamaana aaj pehli taareekh hai”

But not to forget the previous month, the beginner of the New Year, which filled the welcome of 2011 with many reasons of happiness and pride, as well as many mixed feelings for the entire Udaipur, and the Udaipies as well.l Lets have a quick flashback of the month we left behind yesterday.

Parties and celebrations were at their extreme. With many mixed feelings and memories of 2010, Udaipur welcomed 2011 with a great vigour. Also, the Year 2011 began with great news to rejoice. Rajasthan won the national level kick- boxing tournament held in Udaipur. Almost all of the Udaipur was excited to host a series of events to be held in the next few weeks of global repute.

  • It began with the hosting of the International Kites Festival 2011, in the first week of January.It was a three day festival which was held at the Maharana Bhupal Stadium (Gandhi Ground) from 5th to 7th Jan 2011. Every eye was on the sky, which was full with vivid colours and cultures from as many as 10 countries across the world, in Udaipur.

  • In the next few days after its completion, the entire Udaipur was engaged into the preparation for the 16th National Youth Festival 2011. Every roads, every nook and corner of the city was shining like a newly built palace.

  • Finally the day came. 12th of January and the entire India came into life at the opening ceremony of the 16th National Youth Festival in the Gandhi ground.There were many cultural events, competitions, evening shows, heart throbbing stunts by the Army, and lots more.There was a spectacular performance by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army on the closing ceremony.

  • A remarkable news that can never be forgotten here is the struggle between life and death by Narayan Tomar, a worker at the Devas Tunnel Project who was struck at his workplace for many days. Every Udaipie prayed for him, and finally every prayer was heard. Narayan was successfully taken out of the tunnel by several hours of continuous rescue operation.
  • The Mohan Kumar Mangalam football tournament 2011 was held at Zawar Mines this year from 23rd to 31st January. This is a National Level football championship, held every year. Team Dehradun won over the Mumbai team in the finals after a very interesting match, and was the champion for the MKM 2011

  • Udaipur also hosted the Inter-University boxing championship, in both men’s and women’s categories.
  • We all remembered Ganhiji, his principles and all the sacrifices by freedom fighters, and despite of the cable TVs’ or the DTH installed in our homes, all switched on to the DoorDarshan on the 26th Jan, our 62nd Republic day, with a patriotic feeling in our minds, and to salute the Great Indian Flag. A huge crowd too gathered at the Gandhi ground, where the Flag was hoisted by renowned dignitaries.

This was beginning of 2011 only. For more Photographs on the above news, do visit our Facebook  fanpage. And there are lot more stuffs yet to enter Udaipur and our lives as well. That was all for the moment. Team UdaipurBlog will be back with more news and surprises in the upcoming times. Keep liking, sharing and supporting. 🙂

Categories
Festivals

India: Where we stand on our 62nd Republic Day

UB republic day

How we reached so far: from Independent to a Republic country

The foundation of independence laid before 150 years in 1857, which is described as First war of Independence got success after 100 long years of struggle and on 15th August 1947 when a new democratic country which has taken over the attention of the world with it’s principles of non-violence and peace.

India obtained its independence but did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead, its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935. On 28 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as chairman. A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on 4 November 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. . This committee finally drafted with 395 Articles and 8 Schedules and it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949.  After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on 24 January 1950. On this day Rajendra Prasad was elected as first President of India. After two days i.e on 26 January 1950 the Constitution of India came into effect, a date celebrated annually as Republic Day in India. 26 January 1950 is one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign country.

On 26 January 1950 India developed into a democratic republic with a president, prime minister and a council of ministers, all who are elected by the public. India’s full title is The Republic of India and today it is the largest full democracy in the world.

 

India – Development since 1950

 

Agriculture

Before independence India was a country which relied heavily on agriculture. After independence this remained much the same, even today India ranks second worldwide in agricultural output. Agriculture and allied sectors like logging, forestry and fishing accounted for 15.7% of India’s GDP in 2009, employed 60% of the total workforce and despite a steady decline of its share in the GDP, is still the largest economic sector in the country. India has always been a major grower of cash crops such as tea, tobacco, coffee and spices while also being a world leader in exporting many varieties of fruit. Although India has developed many modern and innovative means of farming the agricultural sector in India remains synonymous with poverty. The majority of India’s farmers earn less than $2 (USD) per day growing rice on tiny family-owned plots.

 

Services


The services sector employs 23% of the Indian workforce and began its rapid development in the 1980s, this is in comparison with approx.4.5% in the 1960s. The stimulus for the spurt in growth in the services sector came from two main areas: a substantial stepping up of public investment and also the emergence of a highly educated Indian workforce who were willing to work for far lower wages than their European counterparts. The services sector accounted for 63% of Indian GDP in 2008-09 and as per the Central Statistical Organisation this figure has continued to grow.

 

Industrialization


Before independence India was a largely agriculture-based country. Post-independence, the Indian private sector began attempts to expand. It has since handled the change by squeezing costs, revamping management, focusing on designing new products and relying on low labour costs and technology. Technology has been one of the main cornerstones of India’s industrial development. Information Technology sector accounted for 5.9% GDP. Mining and other energy exploits have also been one of the main areas which have pushed the industrialization of India since independence. India has the third largest coal reserves in the world. Nuclear power is a very large source of electrical consumption in India. As of 2010, India has 19 nuclear power plants in operation generating 4,560 MW while four other are under construction and are expected to generate an additional 6000 MW. This recent development has coincided with further industrialization of many of India’s cities.

The development of India since independence has changed it into a democratic, industrial country at the forefront of becoming a big global power. However due to this rapid change and urbanization, India faces many problems. The country is facing many sustainability issues in the near future which will be discussed below.

 

India and Future Sustainable Development

Poverty

Poverty is an everyday sight in India but something which must be addressed or it will negatively affect the country’s future sustainability. According to a 2005 World Bank estimate 42% of the Indian population fall below the international poverty line. Although this is a major increase on the figure of 87% in 1980 it is still a shocking statistic. If India is to become a truly developed country it must develop a form of social welfare scheme, this means that at current poverty levels close to 240 million people would be availing of welfare benefits. This is a figure which is simply not viable, therefore if India is to sustain development into the future it must do something to lower poverty levels.

 

The Environment and Pollution

Although India is low on the carbon emissions scale compared to countries such as America its carbon levels are still very high and steadily increasing. India is emitting 1.17 tonnes of CO2 per person per year and this is an ever-increasing figure. Most of these carbon emissions are coming from factories and industry. India’s main fossil fuel is coal (a very high polluter) means that air pollution levels will probably continue to increase. However there have been some encouraging signs in recent years as the government and legislators have begun a major drive to invest in clean technology and recycling facilities.

 

Water

India has huge problems with water pollution. The river Ganges is considered to be one of the world’s dirtiest rivers and still an estimated 2 million people bathe in its waters everyday due to Hindi beliefs and culture. Some sources even say that India’s water pollution problem is so bad that 70% of available water in India is contaminated. Indian officials must act to create sewerage treatment plants in order to reverse the country’s unprecedented levels of water pollution.

Another Sustainability issue which India faces in the future is the problem of water availability. According to World Watch Institute, Indian demand for water in urban areas is expected to triple by 2025. Another big problem is that actual water reserves look set to deteriorate due to global warming. 80% of India’s water comes from the Himalayas, either from rainwater or melting glaciers. If current projections are correct global warming will melt many of the Himalayan glaciers away by 2030 and this would result in the level of many of India’s main rivers dropping further pushing water demand.

Poverty and the Environment

The links between poverty and pollution and environmental-damage can be seen everywhere in India. The use of rivers as sewers is common to Indian slum areas. However to blame India’s poor for the environmental degradation would be a huge mistake. It is the lack of resources and facilities provided to the poor which results in the level of damage occurring in India. However there are many methods which the Indian government could use to tackle both problems i.e. reduce poverty by tackling environmental degradation.

  • Strengthen participation by the poor in decision-making related to access to environmental resources: People in India’s poorest areas should be involved in deciding where sewerage should be provided and how best to provide clean water as their local expertise would be vital.
  • Employ only local people in the building of environmental resources in their slum areas: This would boost the local economy and also create a sense of pride in environmental resources within the community.
  • Expand the natural asset base of the poor: By providing free plots of land to the countries poor India could promote a sense of environmentalism and a respect for nature while also providing economic assistance to the poor.

 

Conclusion

India has developed from an agricultural country into an urbanized, industrialized country. However this has led to many problems for the country including poverty and environmental damage. However it is not too late for India to fix its problems and hopefully in the future we will see this happening.

“Mother Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not every man’s greed”

– Mohandas Gandhi.

Appeal to people of India

We the people of India should participate in development of Indian directly or indirectly. Instead of always finding negative things and only talk over that, we should work together to eradicate the negative things and polish positive things.

 

Team UdaipurBlog wishes all the readers a very Happy Republic Day

– By Monika Jain

Categories
Events News Photos and Videos

National Youth Festival 2011: The Memories it left behind

Youth Festival collageclick on image to enlarge

Finally it was the 16th of January, when the 16th National Youth Festival ended, everyone was sad for they had enjoyed a new world in these days, as the whole India was brought to our own beautiful city of lakes for 12th to 16th January, and yes, we too were happy and proud to host such a great festival in our city for the first time, which was otherwise held in the capital cities of the states only.

Everyday there were variety of competitions at different locations of our city, along with a great night show in the Maharana Bhupal Stadium (Gandhi Ground). For those who have missed any part of the NYF, here we bring to you a complete wrap up of these Festive days

Here below I am mentioning the day by day different events that were held throughout the city. But before that take a look on two events that was open for all the days.

1. Yuvakriti: The mouth watering food festival at Shilpgram

Inaugurated by the sports minister, Mr. M.S. Gill, this was a mouth watering event open for all Udaipies; different cuisines were prepared which represented the complete India in Shilpgram itself. They were available at a price scheme of NO PROFIT NO LOSS fixed by the organisers.

food festfood festfood festival yuvakriti

2. Adventure Camp at Railway Training College ground

This place was all about the thrill, the excitement, and huge bursts of adrenaline rushes. Para-sailing, Para-gliding, Hot-air balloon thrilled Udaipies to the extreme.

DAY-1 (12th January 2011): Opening

This day marked the opening of the youth festival in our city opening ceremony was held in Gandhi ground in the day. It was inaugurated by our hon’ble Vice President of India Mr. Hamid Ansari, in presence of the delegates from SAARC, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Mr. Ashok Gehlot, Sports Minister Mr. M.S. Gill, and many more honourable guests.

chief guests

There was a march past of all the participant states in which the city witnessed the overwhelming spirit and culture of entire India

Night Show: At night, there was a laser show depicting the life of Swami Vivekananda, followed by massive boosts of fireworks, and then foot tapping performance by Punjabi singer Jasbeer Jassi.



Day-2 (13th January 2011)

The day was full of competitions, whose glimpses we provide you below.



Night Show: There was a show by Sudesh Bhosle at night in the Gandhi ground.

Day-3 (14th January 2011)

A Day full of competitions, whose glimpses we provide you below.

Night Show: A heart throbbing performance by Rock Bands made people thrill to their max. The show was started by “Soulmate”, followed by “Mystic Rhythms” and finally the excited adrenaline rush was taken to the extreme by “Parikrama”.

Day-4 (15th January 2011)

A Day full of competitions, whose glimpses we provide you below.

Night Show: Much awaited performance by Sonu Nigam who made Udaipur wait for his entry for a long time. Uncontrollable crowd made the work of Police Force and the security much difficult. But finally he entered the show, and really rocked it.

Day-5(16th January 2011): Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony was held in Railway Training College ground, where there were amazing stunts performed by the Indian Armed Forces. Nine divers of Indian Air Force, from the team “AKASHGANGA”, headed by Wing Commander Jai Kishan, were dropped by an IAF Aircraft. They showed their extra-ordinary courage and performed different styles after jumping from an altitude of 5000feet carrying the Indian National Flag.




This was followed by the acrobatics and stunts, the “DAREDEVILS” team of Indian Army (Military Police). All were equipped with their “SAFED ASHWA/WHITE HORSE” which were white coloured Bullet motorcycles, and did amazing wonders with them, along with the stunts; there were two army men, dressed as jokers who amused the audience with their crazy stunts.


For a detailed photo story on the Daredevil Show, Click here

There was performance by the army band, which was followed by cultural programmes, and the prize distribution ceremony, and finally the Youth Festival said “Good Bye Udaipur” with a pledge to keep alive the spirit of “Sabse Pehle Bharat” forever.

We are thankful to our team members as well as our contributors for getting us news updates, photos and videos from across all parts of the city for all these days of the youth festival.

Photos by (in alphabetical order)–

Videos by

Categories
Udaipur Speaks

Why am I Proud Of My Country

India Flag

We wish all the Fellow Indians a Very Happy Independence Day.

Let us take a look at the glories of our Country:

Interesting facts about India –

* India never invaded any country in her last 100000 years of history.
* When many cultures were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilization)
* The name ‘India’ is derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu.

* Chess was invented in India.

* Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus are studies, which originated in India.

* The ‘Place Value System’ and the ‘Decimal System’ were developed in India in 100 B.C.

* The World’s First Granite Temple is the Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The shikhara of the temple is made from a single 80-tonne piece of granite. This magnificent temple was built in just five years, (between 1004 AD and 1009 AD) during the reign of Rajaraja Chola.

* India is the largest democracy in the world, the 6th largest Country in the world, and one of the most ancient civilizations.

* The world’s highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Built in 1893 after leveling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level.

* India has the largest number of Post Offices in the world.

* The largest employer in the world is the Indian Railways, employing over a million people.

* The world’s first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.

* Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The Father of Medicine, Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.

* India was one of the richest countries till the time of British rule in the early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus, attracted by India’s wealth, had come looking for a sea route to India when he discovered America by mistake.

* The Art of Navigation & Navigating was born in the river Sindh over 6000 years ago. The very word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘NAVGATIH’. The word navy is also derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Nou’.

* Bhaskaracharya rightly calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the Sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. According to his calculation, the time taken by the Earth to orbit the Sun was 365.258756484 days.

* The value of “pi” was first calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century, long before the European mathematicians.

* Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus also originated in India.Quadratic Equations were used by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as big as 10*53 (i.e. 10 to the power of 53) with specific names as early as 5000 B.C.during the Vedic period.Even today, the largest used number is Terra: 10*12(10 to the power of 12).

* Until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds in the world
(Source: Gemological Institute of America).

* The Baily Bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between the Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan mountains. It was built by the Indian Army in August 1982.

* Sushruta is regarded as the Father of Surgery. Over 2600 years ago Sushrata & his team conducted complicated surgeries like cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures, urinary stones, plastic surgery and brain surgeries.

* Usage of anaesthesia was well known in ancient Indian medicine. Detailed knowledge of anatomy, embryology, digestion, metabolism,physiology, etiology, genetics and immunity is also found in many ancient Indian texts.

* India exports software to 90 countries.

* The four religions born in India – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are followed by 25% of the world’s population.

* Jainism and Buddhism were founded in India in 600 B.C. and 500 B.C. respectively.

* There are 300,000 active mosques in India, more than in any other country, including the Muslim world.

* The oldest European church and synagogue in India are in the city of Cochin. They were built in 1503 and 1568 respectively.

* Jews and Christians have lived continuously in India since 200 B.C. and 52 A.D. respectively

* The largest religious building in the world is Angkor Wat, a Hindu Temple in Cambodia built at the end of the 11th century.

* The Vishnu Temple in the city of Tirupathi built in the 10th century, is the world’s largest religious pilgrimage destination. Larger than either Rome or Mecca, an average of 30,000 visitors donate $6 million (US) to the temple everyday.

* Sikhism originated in the Holy city of Amritsar in Punjab. Famous for housing the Golden Temple, the city was founded in 1577.

* Varanasi, also known as Benaras, was called “the Ancient City” when Lord Buddha visited it in 500 B.C., and is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world today.

* India provides safety for more than 300,000 refugees originally from Sri Lanka, Tibet, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who escaped to flee religious and political persecution.

* His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, runs his government in exile from Dharmashala in northern India.

* Martial Arts were first created in India, and later spread to Asia by Buddhist missionaries.

* Yoga has its origins in India and has existed for over 5,000 years.