Mahatma’s birthday celebrated as per Hindu calendar
Ahmedabad: The 145th birth anniversary of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, going by the Hindu calendar, was celebrated at his birthplace Porbandar in Gujarat on Saturday. As per the Hindu calendar, Saturday was Rentia Baras. Mahatma Gandhi was born 144 years ago on this 12th day of the second half of Bhadrapad month. Otherwise, according to the Gregorian calendar, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday is on Oct 2, which is observed in India as Gandhi Jayanti. Sources in Porbandar told IANS that many programmes were organised to mark the occasion at Kirti Mandir, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. In Rajkot, a major place related to India’s freedom movement as Mahatma Gandhi started his non-cooperation movement against the British from there, many events symbolising his association with khadi were organised. At Kaba Gandhi’s house in Rajkot where Mahatma Gandhi lived while studying in school, floral tributes were paid to Bapu, as Gandhi is fondly known. (IANS)
Fruits from Kashmir reaching outside markets
Srinagar: Over 200 trucks carrying fruits from the Kashmir valley are leaving daily for different parts of the country, the state government said Saturday. “Daily more than 200 trucks carrying different varieties of fruits have been moving from the valley to outside markets,” the government said. Local markets have also again started trading which had stopped due to floods. On the request of the state government, the Azadpur wholesale fruit market in Delhi would remain open Sunday for receiving supplies from Kashmir, according to Sanjeev Verma, secretary, horticulture. He said full support will be given to the fruit growers so that they are able to transport the produce to the markets outside the state. This was being done to ensure that the harvested fruit crop did not suffer further damage. Horticulture department officials said assessment of damage to the fruit crop as a result of the floods has begun. (IANS)
Hajj flights resume from Srinagar
Srinagar: Hajj flights from summer capital Srinagar to Saudi Arabia, which were suspended due to floods, were resumed Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said. “Hajj flights from Srinagar to Saudi Arabia have been resumed from today (Saturday) and two flights took off from the Srinagar International Airport carrying 275 pilgrims in each flight,” Omar Abdullah said. Wishing well being and successful Hajj to the pilgrims, the chief minister said that flood and torrential rains affected the normal Hajj flight schedule, but it is heartening that we have been able to resume the process from today (Saturday). He expressed hope that all the remaining Hajj pilgrims would undertake the holy journey from Srinagar smoothly. The Minister for Hajj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Syeed saw off the pilgrims at the Srinagar Airport and wished them successful journey and good health. He said that all facilities are being extended to the pilgrims. Syeed said: “Due to floods, Hajj flights had to be rescheduled and today (Saturday) they were resumed with two flights carrying 550 pilgrims. “In all 13 flights carrying 3,775 pilgrims starting from Saturday would take off from Srinagar Airport to Saudi Arabia. “Flights will also take place on 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th and the last flight is scheduled to take off on 27th September. However, there will be no Hajj flights on Sep 23.” (IANS)
Punjab to launch direct seeding of paddy
Chandigarh: Punjab, a major producer of foodgrain, is all set to introduce direct seeding of paddy, Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Saturday. Badal, who was on a two-day visit to south India, said the Punjab government would launch a joint project with Nuziveedu Seeds to promote direct seeding of paddy in all blocks of the state next year. Paddy is generally sown in June-July every year. Badal, after a meeting with Nuziveedu Seeds Chairman Prabhakar Rao and other senior officials in Hyderabad, said the direct seeding programme for paddy will be introduced initially on five acres of land in all blocks of Punjab. “Once this technique is successfully demonstrated in the field, we can initiate the process of popularising it among the farmers,” Badal said, adding that the direct seed plantation could be a “game changer” for paddy cultivation. Nuziveedu officials made a presentation on a comparative study of direct sowing method of paddy vis-a-vis the traditional transplantation method. So far, farmers prepare paddy seedlings and the transplantation is then carried out in the fields. Badal said the paddy seed sowing method could help to reduce the requirement of water and conserve the falling water table in Punjab. He said the requirement of power during paddy season for irrigating fields would also reduce as less water will have to be used. (IANS)