Proud 2B Indian

Indian Missile Arsenal

India Finds Uranium In Icy Ladakh

Scientists have for the first time found uranium in 'exceptionally high concentration' in Ladakh, the icy Himalayan region in Jammu and Kashmir that has strategic significance for India.

Samples of rocks analysed in a German laboratory have revealed uranium content to be as high as 5.36 percent compared to around 0.1 percent or less in ores present elsewhere in the country.

India badly needs uranium to fuel its nuclear power plants and the proposed India-US nuclear deal is all about importing it. The Ladakh find may cheer those opposed to the deal even though detailed exploration and mining may take years.

The Ladakh block lies between the Indian plate in the south and the Asian plate in the north and is bounded by the 'Indus and the Shyok suture zones'. Collision between the two plates 50-60 million years ago formed the Himalayas.

The earth's crust that got crushed and melted during collision and pierced the surface, cooled and solidified becoming 'magmatic' rocks dotting what geologists call the Ladakh 'batholith'. It is in these rocks that uranium is found.

'The presently recorded uranium rich zircons from young magmatic intrusions of the Shyok suture zone and associated sequences is the first record from these remote regions,' Rajeev Upadhyay, a geologist at Kumaon University in Nainital, told IANS in an e-mail interview.

'In geological terms, these uranium-bearing magmatic rocks exposed in Ladakh are very young (between 100 million and 25 million years ago),' he said.

Other uranium rich rocks in India such as in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan are very old geological terrains known as the Precambrian (2,500-3,000 million years old), he said.

For his study, reported in the journal Current Science, Upadhyay took samples from thick exposed granite from a place north of Udmaru village in Leh district. The village in the Nubra-Shyok River Valley is situated on a volcanic rock formation known as the Shyok Volcanics.

Indian Army Chief Warned China

Indian Army Chief General J.J. Singh   warned China against any misadventures (read aggression) the Communist Regime may attempt on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that separates the two Asian giants.

"I can assure you that a 1962-like situation will not be repeated. We are fully prepared to defend our borders," Singh said during a media interaction at Fort William, the Army's Eastern Command headquarters here in Kolkotta (formerly known as Calcutta).

Necessary infrastructure was being developed in Arunachal Pradesh which borders China. Roads have been built upto Walong and would be constructed right up to Dichu located along the border, he said. Asked about reports of incursions by the Chinese into the the Fish Tail-II area between Dichu and Madan Ridge in Arunachal Pradesh, he said the matter had been amicably settled at the local level.

"There is no cause for concern about Madan Ridge. Flag meetings are held at the local level and the issue has been settled without tension," Singh said. Both India and China were handling the boundary issue with maturity, he said, adding, "the National Security Agency on our side and its Chinese counterpart have taken the right approach in settling the boundary issue."

Pointing out that a Sino-Indian joint military exercise was slated next month, he said it would help the two countries learn from each other's experiences.

Source : Proud 2B Indian

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Fairs and Festivals of India

Dussehra

It is the nine days festival, which signifies the victory of Good over Evil. As diverse as India is, it is but natural that Good and Evil take various forms in different parts of the country. Central and North India celebrate Lord Rama's victory over the ten-headed Ravana. In the East, in west Bengal, this festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. In the state of Himachal, a week long fair at Kullu is a part of the Dussehra celebrations. From the little temples in the hills, deities are brought in procession to the Kullu Fair ground with a lot of gaiety, music and colour. Down South in the city of Mysore, the exotic and colourful celebration of Dussehra leaves many a visitor enthralled.

Maha Shivaratri

The festival of Maha Shivratri falls on the 13th (or 14th) day of the month of Phalguna (February–March) of the Indian calendar. The weather remains pleasant throughout India during this time of the year. The word Shivratri literally translates into "the night of Shiva." This is because the ceremonies take place chiefly at night. A daylong fast, a nightlong vigil, and the reverberating rhythm of sacred chants mark the day. This is a festival observed in honor of Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this auspicious day. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" continues. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the Shiva Linga. Bael leaves are very sacred, for it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them.

Janmashtami

This festival associated with Lord Krishna's birthday and is a combination of religion and celebration together. This festival is celebrated all over India especially among Hindus. Mathura, the ancient north Indian town, is Krishna's birthplace, and it is one of the most sacred places in the entire country. People celebrate this festival with fun, frolic, and merrymaking. The raasleelas, bhajan, kirtan, and various local functions are the special attractions of the place. The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated during the month of August or September depending on the Indian calendar. The celebration of this festival is followed according to the Indian calendar and hence the month in the English calendar varies every year. This day also falls on the day of Shravan Poornima when the monsoon season is at its high in most of the part of India.

Ganesh Chathurthi

Lord Ganesha, affectionately called Ganapati, is commonly depicted in homes and offices throughout India as a chubby, smiling and a little mischievous God. His devotees scribe to Ganesha the ability to bestow wisdom and wealth upon us humans, thus making him probably the most popular deity in the Hindu pantheon. To repay Ganesha's bounty, in India, especially in Maharashtra and nearby areas, the entire population celebrates the ten-day festival of Lord Ganesha's birthday. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated all over India with great festivities and zest. It is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom and prosperity. The festival honors Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of the Hindu pantheon. During the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi, the image of the God is worshipped and feted in most homes, temples and halls, and on the last day the images are taken in a procession and immersed in water. Fasting, feasting and distribution of sweets are important aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi rituals in India. Hindus pray to images of Lord Ganesha, large and small, many of them made specially for the occasion by cottage industries and street-side artisans. Even those that do not wish to keep the idols alive by daily prayers, offerings, and lighting oil lamps, immerse them in the nearest water body (rivers, lakes and the sea that are sacred to the Hindus). Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of Bhadrapada (August/September) month of Indian calendar. The celebration of this festival is followed according to the Indian calendar and hence the month in the English calendar varies every year. The festival is celebrated for as many as ten days in areas like Maharashtra, Pune, and nearby areas.

Rakshabandhan

Rakshabandhan is an unspoken pledge exchanged between a brother and sister cementing their fraternal relationship. This also reinforces their protective bond against all ills and odds. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the day of Shravan Poornima that falls in the month of August every year. On this very day, the sisters tie a delicate, sometimes decorated, thread on the wrist of their brothers as a symbol of love and affection. This makes the brothers bound to protect their sisters from any trouble or wound. The chanting of a holy mantra by the sisters while tying the thread says, "I am tying a Raksha to you, similar to the one tied to Bali, the powerful king of the demons. Oh Raksha, be firm, do not waver". The mantra recalls how the demon king Bali had become very powerful with the Rakhi on. The power of the mantra is supposed to protect the wearer from evil influences. This shows how dependent and secure a sister feels when she has a brother. Tying this Rakhi or Raksha signifies the re-strengthening of the bond between the siblings of opposite sexes. Raksha Bandhan is the most awaited festival of the year for every girl. It is celebrated in the month of August on the full-moon day known as the Shravan Poornima in India. The celebration of this festival is followed according to the Indian calendar, and hence the month in the English calendar varies every year.

Baisakhi

Several Indian festivals coincide with the harvest time and Baisakhi is one of them. Baisakhi is celebrated by the people of Punjab with vigor and joy. It is celebrated by different names and with different rituals almost all over India, when the Rabi crop is ready for harvesting. Baisakhi is also the day when the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa Panth over three hundred years ago. The Vaishakha period of April and May is filled with festivals of fun, frolic and merry-making and Baisakhi, derived from the word Vaishakh, falls in this auspicious period. Based on the Indian solar calendar, this festival falls on April 13 every year and on April 14 once every 36 years. Other festivals celebrating the harvest are Bihu in Assam, Pongal in South India.

Pushkar Fair

Held every year in the month of November, Pushkar fair is the ideal occasion to witness the charisma of Rajasthan in full bloom. Every ingredient that makes Rajasthan a distinct place can be spotted in the fair including men dressed in colorful traditional clothes, women in mirrored skirts and vivid shawls, embroidered clothes, exquisitely designed jewelry, pots and ornaments. This four-day long fair full of fun and frolic falls on the full moon of Kartik Purnima and offers an unique opportunity for a shopping spree while giving an edge to the consumer product marketing in rural Rajasthan. Improved accommodation facilities have made it an International event A large camel fair in which traders from all over Rajasthan participate to parade, race and trade their camels, horses and cattle give it a fascinating touch. The acrobats, jugglers, snake charmers and fire-eaters will leave you mesmerized with their skilled performances. Cruise on a camel safari and get the real flavor of the fair.

Desert Festival

The otherwise sleepy town of Jaisalmer reverberates with enthusiasm and zeal during the Desert Festival that provides it with an occasion to parade its exuberant charm to the world. This colorful spectacle of dance and music showcases the rhythmic dances like Ghoomar, Gangaur, Gair, Dhap, Moria, Chari and Terahtal. The fire dancers are the special highlights of the festival. Held in the month of January-February the major attractions include turban-tying competition, Gair dancers and fire-dancers presenting enchanting displays of folk dance and music The various interesting contests including turban tying and Mr. Desert contest, the Camel races, acrobatics, dances and camel polo are sure to leave you spellbound. An awe-inspiring fusion of traditional dances backed by the folk music of the desert is sure to give you a time of your life. The major attraction of the festival remains the music and dance performance on the sand dunes.

Camel Fair, Bikaner

A unique blend of color, rhythm and melody. The Camel Festival begins with a colourful procession of bedecked camels, Ships-Of-The-Desert, in the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort. The festivity advances to the open sandspreads of the Polo Grounds, followed by camel races, camel milking, fur cutting design, the best breed competition, camel acrobatics, camel bands and watching all this, are the gaping spectators. The camel display amazing foot-work, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction of their riders. Colourful bridles, bejewelled necks, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel shadows on dusky sands, cast a magic spell. The jubilant, skirt-swirling Gair dancers, the awe inspiring Fire dance, and dazzling fire-works light up the fortified desert city of Bikaner.

Gangaur Festival

The most important local festival in Rajasthan, Gangaur is held about a fortnight after Holi and the celebrations go on for eighteen days. The festival is held in honor of Gauri, a manifestation of goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated by girls and married women throughout Rajasthan. Images of Gauri are ornamented and offerings are made. This is also an auspicious time for young people to select their life partners. Colorful processions with the town band, horses, and elaborate palanquins make it a fascinating spectacle. The Gangaur festival is celebrated throughout Rajasthan with great enthusiasm but the celebrations in Jaipur and Udaipur have their own special charm. The festival is also celebrated with great pomp and show in Bikaner, Jodhpur, Marathwara and Jaisalmer. Girls worship the goddess throughout the fortnight. Colorful images of Gauri, beautifully dressed and bejeweled, are taken out in a procession accompanied by the town band. A boat procession is taken out on the Pichola Lake in Udaipur. Women balancing several brass pitchers on their heads add to the gaiety of the Udaipur celebrations. Thousands of people from the countryside come to take part in the procession of Gangaur, which goes around from village to village. Tribal men and women get the opportunity to meet and interact freely and during this time, they select partners and elope to marry. An unusual, romantic custom sanctioned by the community, it helps many young people find their life partner.

Hemis Festival, Ladakh

The courtyard of Hemis- the biggest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, is the stage of the famous Hemis Festival, that celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. Splendid masked dances are performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns. A colourful fair, displaying some beautiful handicrafts, is the special highlight of the festival.

Christmas : 25th of December

Christmas, the birth of Christ, is celebrated by Indian Christians on December 25th, in much the same way as it is celebrated by Christians worldwide.

The day is ushered in with midnight mass, sounds of carols fill the air, gifts are swopped with friends and family, diets are forgotten when confronted with tables groaning under the weight of mouth-watering goodies

ID - UL - ZUHA

Id-Ul-Zuha, the feast of sacrifice popularly known as Bakr Id, is celebrated by Muslims in April / May. The sacrifice offered on the day is in commemoration of Abraham's (Hazrat Ibrahim) willingness to sacrifice his only son Ishmael, in the cause of truth.

Id coincides with the Haj pilgrimage at Mecca. The Muslims of India celebrate this festival with prayers and festivities. New clothes are worn, and after the offering of prayers at the mosque, families gather together to exchange gifts and wish each other Id Mubarak. The head of the family takes a sheep, cow, or camel to the entrance of the house and sacrifices it, repeating "In the name of God" and "God is great" as he cuts its throat. Two-thirds of the flesh is kept by the family and one-third given to the poor in the name of God. The feasts include the unique cuisine of Hyderabad: spicy biryani, pulao, kebabs, rose-scented sweets, and kulfi. A procession of tazias is taken out of the city on this occasion.

What I Love about being Indian

Some point of views about why i love India

Culture and sacrifice

The thing that I love most about being Indian is living in a cultured society. I can speak my language very well without faltering.I love Indian foods, our dresses and beautiful places. I always respect and love people who sacrifice their lives and who are still struggling for the sake of India. In future, I would like to have a job in India rather than go abroad.

India all the way

The best thing about being an Indian is that you belong to the most colorful and beautiful country in the whole world. Every state, every city in India has a different history to tell. I also like the variety of seasons, the food, clothes and the rich culture. Indians are the most intelligent of all. An Indian will serve India in every possible way.

To be an Indian is a honour. I'm proud because I am in a country where people from different castes co-exist. We manage to live together, celebrate each other's festival and respect each other. We speak many languages.  There is no place like India

India is a country with a rich culture and heritage. There's such a variety of food, dances and heritage sites, it is a great country. I am proud to be an Indian because I belong to a land full of warm people, great food, cool places and the Himalayas. There is no place like India.

Brothers one and all

In which country will you find a Muslim president, a Sikh prime minister, a Christian ruling party leader and a Hindu vice-president ruling our nation? Isn't that proof enough to show brotherhood exists in our country? What more reason can I state to be a proud Indian?

Variety is the spice

I love being Indian because we have such a rich culture, different customs, costumes, languages and spicy food! India is the true example for the phrase variety is the spice of life.

Love still exists

Being an Indian makes you different firstly. I love to be an Indian because love and affection still exists in India. The country still has tradition , values and culture.

Arunachal is an Integral part of India

Arunachal is ours, not China's: Pranab
NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday rejected China's claim that Arunachal Pradesh was Chinese territory.

"Arunachal is an integral part of India," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, while briefing reporters in the Capital. Mukherjee’s statement comes a day after Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi claimed that Arunachal Pradesh was "Chinese territory".

In an interview to a private TV channel, the Chinese Ambassador said: "In our position, the whole of Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory and Tawang is only one place in it...we are claiming whole of that (Arunachal Pradesh). That is our position."

India and China are currently engaged in talks to resolve the boundary question. Last year, the neighbours had signed the 'Political Parameters and Guiding Principles' to resolve the border issue.

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Lata Mangeshkar : Nightingale of India

Latabai Mangeshkar, who, as a playback singer, enjoys today, a clout, which even the movie moguls of the country's film industry cannot dream of Lata Mangeshkar's songs have captured the hearts and imagination of millions of her admirers around the world. They have become an inseparable part of the daily lives of Indians - wherever they may be. Words fail to express the depth and scope of Lata Mangeshkar's genius. Lata Mangeshkar has come to symbolise India in a way that no one else has, or ever will for years to come. She has charmed her fans with thousands of songs she has sung as a playback singer in films, her name was in the Guinness Book of World Records for singing the maximum number of songs way back in 1974 sung in over 20 different languages. Perhaps only mother's voice sounds more magical than Lata's. The name of Lata Mangeshkar (b.1929) is a byword in Indian semi-classical music. A soprano with over three octave range, she has an indescribable, unsoiled purity in her voice. It is delicate, sharp and clear in difficult note patterns. Her rendition is marked with a rare sense of rhythm and lyrics.

As 'Day with night', 'Stars with Moon', 'Spring with water' ..... so goes the word 'Music' with the Melody Queen, Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar. Her contribution to the music world is so extensive and the remarkable mark that she has made in the last five decades is so conspicuous that, even if you try to praise her, it is like ' Suraj ko diya dikhana', as the saying goes.

Lata's reign over the world of playback singing for female characters has been undisputed over the decades and she has lent her voice to heroines from Meena Kumari to Sreedevi to Urmila. She has surprised even her fans with the range of her singing in the film DIL SE with the song "Jiya Jale" on her turning 70, which was a huge hit and was recorded in just 40 minutes.

Lata is a legend in her lifetime and undeniably the best singer India has ever produced. As renowned Classical singer Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan said for Lata "Kambakht Kabhi Besura Gati Hi Nahi". Her contribution to making music popular throughout India and the world is incalculable and she has reigned supreme all through the last six decades.

As there is only one Taj-Mahal, similarly there is only one and only one 'LATA MANGESHKAR '

Hemant Sagar - Designer

CREATING WAVES IN PARIS

Introduction :
Sagar,the best known Indian in the global hautecouture circles,was born to a German mother and a Punjabi father in Delhi.After completing his education he moved to Paris in early 80s,where he joined hands with LeCoanet.

Career :
When Hemant Sagar arrived to show off his collection at the world famous La Semaine de la Haute Couture in Paris,he chose to dazzle viewers with a touch of India. Large hanging earrings,dresses made of seashells and the typical Orissa embroidery were the highlights of 30-odd garments that were displayed at the 33rd exposition of the LeCoanet-Hemant brand.

Milestone :
After being in his career Sagar and his brand are firmly entrenched in the world of fashion.He is right at the top among the top 15 labels in the world.