MODI and the Indian Economy

According to leading  Chinese media personnel, India’s economic  reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have had a limited impact till now, but he has “clearly made the country more proactive”.

The Global Times article says,  “Modi equipped with newly gained confidence on India’s growth prospects has clearly made the country more proactive.” This was visible during the recent BRICS Summit in Goa as India “outmanoeuvred” and “consigned Pakistan to be a regional pariah”.

India did this by calling all countries in the neighborhood except Pakistan for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectorial Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) meet which was held in tandem with the BRICS meeting.

The article is all praise for India’s move to organize both meetings in Goa simultaneously. It says that by bringing regional countries together with BRICS members, India “breathed legitimacy and substance” into BIMSTEC.

Many analysts criticize Modi for failing to get Pakistan’s name as a sponsor of terror included in the BRICS declaration.

However, the Global Times article reads it otherwise. It acknowledges that no BRICS member would ever “openly endorse” either India or Pakistan because of the tensions between both countries. Still, India used the BRICS stage for its gain. “India in a way secured its stance vis-à-vis Pakistan by taking advantages of its agenda-setting powers for the summits.”

India was also lavishly praised in the article, for becoming the fastest-growing large economy in the world at present, beyond China and Russia. It says, “India is now confident in talking about economic matters. After all, the setbacks undergone by its fellow countries make India’s  economy shine  in comparison.”

More power & positivity to Mr.Modi.

SPEAKING PICTURES....

Photographer:  Rajib Mukherjee
Place:                Kolkata
Image:              Sunset

Photographer:  Divya Nair
Place:                Morey Plains
Image:              Landscape

Photographer:  Munish Sharma
Place:                Zoji La valley, Srinagar
Image:              Valley

Photographer:  Divya Nair
Place:                Tso Moriri
Image:              Snowcapped Mountain

Photographer:  Palanki Narayana
Place:                Durga amman temple, Rajastan
Image:              Apsara Statue 

Photographer:  Divya Nair
Place:                Ladakh
Image:              Sheeps, cows, horses, yaks

Photographer:  Divya Nair
Place:                Tibetan
Image:              Prayer flag

Photographer:  Divya Nair
Place:                Tso Moriri
Image:              Lake

Photographer:  Divya Nair
Place:                Sonmarg, Kashmir
Image:              Mountain

Photographer:  Jezreel Pannikot
Place:                Kerala
Image:              Train

Amarnath Temple (or) AmarnathYatra

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS – in the following article; brings to you the greatness and significance of the AMARNATH YATRA,  in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

The AMARNATH CAVE  is the Holy Abode of LORD SHIVA; one of Hinduism’s most Powerful and Revered Deities.

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Amarnath Temple  (or)  AmarnathYatra.

The Amarnath Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by Hindus to the Amarnath Cave in Jammu & Kashmir, India. The Amarnath cave is located about  140 kilometers from  Srinagar city at a height of 4000 metres. Snow covered all year round, the cave or temple shrine is  inaccessible and hence open only for a short time in summer.

The Amarnath cave with an internal height of about  40 meters , attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year to have darshan of the Shiva Linga which is formed by the freezing of water drops falling from the roof of the cave. The Shiva Lingam is supposed to grow & shrink in size with the phases of the moon. It reaches its  maximum height during the AmarnathYatra period.

 As per Hindu beliefs, Shiva is supposed to have explained the secret of life & eternity to his divine consort  Parvathi here. Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva’s son Ganesh are represented by two other ice formations.

Historical references nation that King Aryaraja (Around 300 BC) worshipped a sacred ShiveLinga here. There are references to the Amarnath Shrine in the book  Rajathrangini.

Historical beliefs say the cave was rediscovered by a shepherd in the 15^th century. Sage Bhrigu Muni is said to have had darshan of Lord Amarnath here.  After that as tales of the sacred Shiva Linga spread everywhere, lakhs of pilgrims started visiting Amarnath cave each year.

To believers, he is Lord Bholenath,  the all Powerful.

Lakhs of Hindus undertake the Amarnath pilgrimage each year. The 45 to 48 days season for the Amarnath Yatra begins is the first week of July. In the year 2016, the AmarnathYatra began on  July 02, and is expected to go on till the 18^th of August. This period is called the Shravanimela; and is conducted during the Hindu holy month of Shravana.

This is the AmarnathYatra, undertaken  to get the blessings of Lord Amarnath (or) Lord Shiva, the All Powerful.

Foot Note :

The world is a beautiful place with beautiful people all around. People world over have different festivals and traditions to pray to the divine power, and celebrate togetherness and human bonding. The Amarnath Yatra,  is a classic example of the power of the  divine, and the influence the divine power has on mankind. It tells the tale of the difficulty man is willing to undergo  to have a glimpse of his  GOD. To undertake the Amarnath Yatra, and to know more about other beautiful festivals world over; contact us. We will be very glad to help you with your travel plans.

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

India : 0091 938 106 1000.

Sri Lanka : 0094 7711 62 800.

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KANDY ESALA PERAHERA

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS – in our continuing series on beautiful festivals and cultural events around the world; brings to you the  Kandy Esala Perahera.

(Homage to the  Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.)

Spotlight – Kandy Esala Perahera.

One of the grandest festivals of Sri Lanka is the Kandy – Esala Perahera (or) the Esala Festival of Kandy. It is held yearly  to pay homage to the  Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India about eight hundred years after the passing of Lord Buddha.

The grand festival includes elegant costumes, traditional dances & a lot of  cultural Programs. The Esala dates  back to roughly the 3rd century BC & is a mix of two separate Peraheras ( processions ) – the Esala and Dalada.

Recent History :-

In relatively recent times, the Perahera was organized lavishly by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781). After the Kandyan Kingdom feel to the British, (1815) the Relic become the responsibility of the Buddhist clergy (Mahasangha). Since there was no king, a Diyawadana Nilame (Trustee) was appointed to handle all regular programmes.

Kumbal Perahera:-

Devale Peraheras takes place for  five nights, accompanied by dance & Music, The sacred insignia of the Gods – the Ran Ayudha is also a part of the celebrations.

After the Devale Peraheras, the Kumbal Perahera begins &  goes on for a further five nights.

The Temple  of the Tooth (Sri Lanka’s must important Buddhist shrine) is where the Buddha’s sacred Tooth Relic is kept since 16^th century. The Devale Peraheras  assemble here.

The Maligawa Perahera  joins the Devale  Peraheras and the procession begins. The Buddhist flag bearers lead the way, cleared in front by fire acrobats & crackers. The Perumana Raja (or) Front Official rides the first elephant, followed by other elephants, drummers and dancers. The sacred tooth Relic is carried by another group of singers. This is followed by the Diyawadana Nilame. He is dressed in full Kandyan grandeur. Traditionally the Diyawadana Nilame is the person who prays for rain.

The Tooth Relic festivals are conducted by Malwatte & Asgiriya chapters of the Buddhist clergy of Sri Lana. The Diyawadana Nilame is the organizer, and he plans & conducts all events of the Perahera. The officials of the Temple of  the Tooth help him.

The astrological advisors are the Nekath Mohottala. They choose the auspicious time for all the events. The drummers are identified & fixed by officials called the Panikkamura Baarakaruwo. The elephants are  located & their owners are met with, to discuss their participation in the events. All the dance troupes are given enough time for rehearsals. Finally the Basnayake Nilames ( Who are traditionally the custodians of the Devales) are intimated to conduct their processions.

Foot Note :

The world is a beautiful place with beautiful people all around. People world over have different festivals and traditions to pray to the divine power, and celebrate togetherness and human bonding. The Kandy Esala Perahera is one of them. To visit the Kandy Esala Perahera & to know more about other beautiful festivals world over; contact us. We will be very glad to help you with your travel plans.

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

India : 0091 938 106 1000.

Sri Lanka : 0094 7711 62 800.

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MAJESTIC INDIA

India, we all know, is a mystic land where ancient history and tradition meets idyllic nature.

Some of these pictures sent by our readers will induce wanderlust in you.

Take a look!

Dwaipayan Dutta sent us this picturesque view of Thajiwas Glacier in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir.

Reader Sudeep Chakraverty clicked this picture on his way to Shimla.

Vishal Badheka photographed camels in Rajasthan.

If you are heading to Goa, don't miss the Dudhsagar Falls. Reader Anuj Kumar sent us this picture.

MKG shared this picture of the serene Sukhna lake in Chandigarh.

Sachin Naik shared a mist laden lake view from Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

Deepak Pant who travelled to Jahaz Mahal in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh clicked this picture. Jahaz, in Hindi means ship and Mahal is palace.

A visit to Kerala is incomplete without experiencing the backwaters. Dinesh Attal sent us this picture of a houseboat in Alleppey.

Come monsoon, Bhandardara in Maharashtra becomes a sought after holiday spot. Manoj Munot's picture here tells us why it's so popular.

We wind up with this image of a foggy morning in Matheran, Maharashtra sent by Sumedh Shanbag.

THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERING..

THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERING..

Volunteering -  As I started  to think about volunteering at about 7 / 30 this Saturday morning, images that came to mind are ones of the havoc the rain &  floods caused in Chennai last month, and the way in which volunteering helped rescue Chennai.

Volunteering -  the word in essence speaks about the spirit of the person involved,  his / her mindset, his upbringing, his mental strength in the face of adversity &  above all his / her sense of compassion. In today's superfast world, volunteering can take many forms.

One can volunteer to be a counsellor for drink / drug addicts, one can volunteer to write exams for blind students, to teach computer or English to under privileged kids, to clean the nearby temple, to sponsor the education of  an economically challenged kid & so on.

Ask any Chennaiite whose house was flooded during last month's rains.I personally  have seen senior citizens being literally carried by faceless people to safety. I have seen orphaned children being fed by helping strangers. High net worth individuals,  driving Innovas stopping at a drowned colony & carrying packets of food on their backs to feed the hungry. Nine months fully pregnant woman being taken to the hospital on a boat & so on.

If these faceless volunteers were not there, what would have happened to all the above people ??

So,  volunteering has changed lives. Lives of all the affected people who were helped by these volunteers. These mentally & physically shattered people were given a helping hand by these selfless volunteers, who took it upon them to help these distressed people in times of need. Helped them regain their feet, and stood by them till the worst was over so that they can get back to their lives.

Further, volunteering also changes the lives of the volunteers. Research has shown that it improves the quality of life & health of  those who spend time helping others. Physical & mental problems of everyone,  & older people in particular have been cured by the simple act of helping others on a regular basis.

To summarize, volunteering changes the lives of  not only the community  but also the volunteers in equal measure.

As the saying goes –  HELPING HANDS ARE BETTER THAN PRAYING LIPS . . . .

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