Category: National

National

Ayodhya Prepares for a Grand Deepotsav 2025 with 2.8 Million Lamps and a 32-Foot Pushpak Viman

Tanisha Cardozo

Ayodhya is preparing for one of the grandest Deepotsav celebrations ever witnessed, as the temple town gears up to illuminate 56 ghats along the Sarayu River with a stunning 2.8 million earthen lamps. Scheduled for Deepavali 2025, this year’s Deepotsav promises to be a spiritual and visual extravaganza, blending devotion, tradition, and community participation.

A striking feature of the festivities this year will be the installation of a 32-foot-tall Pushpak Viman at Ram Ki Paidi. This massive structure, inspired by the celestial vehicle of Lord Ram as described in the Ramayana, will showcase key scenes from the epic in a way that brings mythology to life. It offers a unique, immersive experience for pilgrims and visitors, adding a new cultural dimension to the festival.

To bring this event to life, more than 33,000 volunteers—including students, teachers, and residents—have come together to prepare the ghats and streets of Ayodhya. From arranging lamps to assisting with safety protocols, their collective spirit reflects the deep pride the city holds in celebrating Ram’s return to Ayodhya, now symbolically reenacted each year through Deepotsav.

The event is not only spiritual but meticulously organized. Volunteers are issued ID cards and festival T-shirts, and access to the ghats is tightly controlled to maintain safety. Food safety teams are also deployed to ensure hygienic conditions for visitors. Local administration is leaving no stone unturned to make this celebration safe, inclusive, and memorable.

In line with the broader cultural ethos, saints and local leaders are promoting Swadeshi products this year, urging people to light locally made earthen lamps and support artisans. As Saint Diwakaracharya Ji Maharaj noted, “Shri Ram has been seated in the grand Ram Temple after 500 years, and this Diwali promises to be truly remarkable.” He emphasized using indigenous products and highlighted the massive community effort that makes Deepotsav special—not only for Ayodhya, but for all of India.

Adding to the spiritual energy, Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das Ji Maharaj described the traditional rituals marking the start of Deepotsav. From the Swasti mantras to the lighting of the first diya for Lord Ram and the Saryu River, each act is steeped in symbolism and reverence. Diyas are also lit for Hanuman Ji, Mata Adi Shakti, Sita Ji, and the Ram Darbar, marking a complete spiritual circle that defines the essence of Deepavali.

As thousands prepare to witness the light of millions of diyas dancing on the waters of the Sarayu, the celebration in Ayodhya stands as a glowing tribute not only to Lord Ram but to the collective spirit of a city deeply connected to its roots. Deepotsav 2025 is not just a festival—it is a living narrative of culture, community, and unwavering devotion.

National

Tribal Minister Invites President Droupadi Murmu to Silver Jubilee Canacona Lokotsav 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

In a noteworthy cultural development, Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, Tribal Minister of Goa, recently called on the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Accompanied by Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, the minister extended a formal invitation to the President to attend the Silver Jubilee Edition of the Canacona Lokotsav.

The 25th Canacona Lokotsav is scheduled to take place from 19th to 21st December 2025 at Adarsh Gram, Amona, in the Canacona taluka of South Goa. Over the years, Canacona Lokotsav has grown into one of Goa’s most prominent platforms to celebrate and showcase traditional Goan arts, crafts, music, folklore, and tribal culture.

The Silver Jubilee edition promises to be a grand celebration, bringing together performers, artisans, and cultural groups from across the state and beyond. The invitation to the President is a symbolic and significant gesture aimed at highlighting the cultural richness of Goa on a national platform. It also reflects the growing recognition of local festivals in preserving and promoting indigenous traditions and community spirit.

If accepted, President Droupadi Murmu’s presence at the Lokotsav would mark a historic moment, as she herself represents a strong connect to tribal heritage and grassroots governance in India. The event is expected to attract dignitaries, tourists, cultural enthusiasts, and citizens in large numbers.

The Tribal Ministry’s outreach reflects Goa’s continued efforts to promote inclusive and culturally rooted tourism while strengthening local identity through events like the Canacona Lokotsav.

National

Sawantwadi’s Ganjifa Art Honored on National Postage Stamp and First-Ever Round Postcard

Tanisha Cardozo

The centuries-old tradition of Ganjifa art from Sawantwadi has achieved national recognition with the release of special postage stamps and India’s first-ever round-shaped postcard by the Indian Postal Department. The featured artwork, centered on the Dashavatara — the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu — highlights the intricate beauty and cultural richness of this folk art form, which dates back to the 16th century.

This proud moment was marked by a ceremony in Mumbai, followed by a heartfelt felicitation event at the historic Sawantwadi Palace. Present at the celebration were King Khem Sawant Bhosale, Queen Shubhada Devi Bhosale, Crown Prince Lakhamraje Bhosale, and Princess Shraddharaje Bhosale, who came together to honor the Ganjifa artists whose dedication has kept this heritage alive.

Sixteen artists — Mohan Kulkarni, Sadashiv Dhuri, Pandurang Dhuri, Ramchandra Thakur, Varsha Londhe, Vishwanath Kulkarni, Ladu Thakur, Gayatri Kulkarni, Sukanya Pawar, Gauri Parker, Arya Devrukhkar, Sonali Kumbhar, Yash Dhuri, Bhuvan Halskar, Nikita Arabekar, and Sachin Kulkarni — were felicitated for their invaluable contributions.

Queen Shubhada Devi Bhosale emphasized that this recognition is a tribute to the legacy of Raja Shivramraje Bhosale and Rajmata Satvashila Devi Bhosale, whose efforts in preserving Ganjifa art have borne fruit on a national and now international level. She appealed for continued royal and government patronage to ensure that Ganjifa remains a living tradition for future generations.

Princess Shraddharaje Bhosale praised the depiction of the Dashavatara on the round postcard, stating it serves as both cultural education and artistic inspiration for the younger generation. This initiative, she added, has elevated Sawantwadi’s folk traditions to a global stage.

Veteran artist Mohan Kulkarni spoke emotionally about this long-awaited recognition, calling it a profound honor for Sawantwadi’s artistic legacy and for the dedicated community of Ganjifa painters.

The event also saw support from Shri Pancham Khemraj College, whose professors and faculty expressed their pride in seeing the cultural heritage of Sawantwadi celebrated at such a level. Principal Dr. D.L. Bharmal, Prof. G.M. Shirodkar, Dr. Satish Sawant, and Jayprakash Sawant were present along with non-teaching staff.

This recognition marks not only a milestone for Ganjifa art but also a shining example of how royal patronage, government support, and community dedication can revive and sustain traditional art forms in modern India.

National

Goa’s Nirbhay Bhav Group Secures 3rd Place at National Performing Arts Championship 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

In a shining moment for Goa’s vibrant cultural scene, the Nirbhay Bhav Group achieved a remarkable 3rd position at the prestigious National Performing Arts Championship 2025. Held on the 5th of October in the culturally rich city of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, the event saw participation from top-performing teams across India including Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.

Representing Goa, the team stood out with their passionate performance and dedication to the arts. Under the inspiring leadership of Dhiraj Naik, Nirbhay Bhav brought not just talent but discipline, originality, and a deep-rooted connection to cultural heritage to the national platform. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the group and the state, adding yet another feather to Goa’s artistic cap.

The team’s journey doesn’t end here. Buoyed by their success and national recognition, the Nirbhay Bhav Group is now setting its sights on participating in upcoming national and international performing arts championships. Their vision is clear—to carry the spirit and talent of Goan culture beyond borders and onto the global stage.

This victory is not just a celebration of a performance—it’s a testament to the power of dedication, leadership, and the universal language of art that connects us all.

National

PM Modi Unveils ₹100 Coin and Stamp Honouring RSS Centenary; Bharat Mata Features on Currency for First Time

Tanisha Cardozo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the historic centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by unveiling a special ₹100 coin and a commemorative postal stamp in New Delhi. In a moment that blends symbolism with national sentiment, the coin features Bharat Mata seated on a lion in varad mudra, with swayamsevaks bowing before her — the first time Bharat Mata has been depicted on Indian currency since independence.

Speaking at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, PM Modi praised the RSS for its 100-year journey of selfless national service, discipline, and dedication. The commemorative stamp captures a significant historical moment — RSS swayamsevaks participating in the 1963 Republic Day Parade, showcasing their commitment to India’s unity and strength.

Addressing the audience, the Prime Minister spoke with urgency and conviction about emerging demographic challenges to India’s social harmony and security. He stated that infiltrators causing demographic shifts pose a significant threat to India’s internal cohesion. Recalling his recent address from the Red Fort, he reiterated the launch of the “Demographic Mission” to counteract this growing concern.

He emphasized, “Unity in diversity has always been India’s soul. If this strength is broken, India will weaken.” Stressing that the RSS’s foundation on Vijayadashami was no coincidence, PM Modi tied the organization’s origin to the festival’s deep-rooted symbolism — the triumph of good over evil, truth over falsehood, and light over darkness.

The Prime Minister also paid homage to RSS founder Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, calling him a visionary of national service whose ideals continue to guide generations. “It is the fortune of our generation that we witness the centenary year of the Sangh,” he said, congratulating millions of swayamsevaks for their commitment and sacrifices.

Founded in 1925 in Nagpur, the RSS was created as a volunteer-led organisation with a focus on cultural awareness, service, discipline, and social responsibility. Over the decades, it has grown into one of India’s most influential and widespread socio-cultural organisations.

The unveiling of the coin and stamp not only commemorates the legacy of the RSS but also reinforces the government’s emphasis on cultural identity, unity, and national service as central themes in the journey ahead. As India reflects on the past century, the message from the Prime Minister was clear: staying alert, united, and committed to the nation’s core values is the need of the hour.