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Makar Sankranti
Five persons were killed and 10 others injured when a van and a tractor trolley collided in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, police said on Thursday. The accident occurred late Wednesday night in the district's Berasia area, they said. The tractor trolley was carrying people returning from a holy bath in Narmadapuram on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. A pickup van headed for Narmadapuram and the tractor trolley collided head-on, Berasia police station inspector in-charge Vijendra Sen said. After being alerted, police rushed to the spot and pulled out passengers trapped in the damaged vehicles. Five van occupants, including three of a family, died on the spot. The deceased have been identified as Mukesh Ahirwar (40), Babri Bai (60), Deepak (14), Laxmi Bai (60), and Hari Bai (60), all residents of Sironj, the official said. Ten persons, including three children, from both vehicles were injured. They have been referred to Hamidia and other private hospitals in Bhopal for treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted the nation on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival celebrated in different parts of the country as per local traditions and customs. Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun in the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar), celebrated as a mid-winter harvest festival. "This sacred occasion of Sankranti is celebrated in various parts of the country according to local customs and traditions. I pray to Lord Surya for everyone's happiness, prosperity, and excellent health," Modi said in a post on X. "Heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasion of Uttarayan! May this sacred festival of Makar Sankranti fill your life with happiness, and may everyone be blessed with good health and well-being," he said in a separate post on X. "May this joyful celebration also strengthen bonds of togetherness and usher in prosperity and positivity for all," the prime minister said. Modi also extended greetings on the occasion of Magh Bihu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday joined Sankranti and Pongal celebrations at the residence of his Cabinet colleague and Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy and later participated in Lohri festivities at Naraina. Telugu filmstar Chiranjeevi, ace badminton player PV Sindhu and several Union ministers joined the programme at Reddy's residence where Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was also present. Modi participated in rituals associated with the festival, which is celebrated in different regions under different names and is associated with harvest. "Attended Sankranti and Pongal celebrations at the residence of my ministerial colleague, Shri G. Kishan Reddy Garu. Also witnessed an excellent cultural programme," the prime minister said in a post on X. People across India celebrate Sankranti and Pongal with great fervour, he said, adding it is a celebration of gratitude, abundance and renewal, deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of our culture. "My best wishes for Sankrant
The UGC-National Eligibility Test (NET) scheduled for January 15 has been postponed on account of festivals, including Makar Sakranti and Pongal, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Monday. The exam for admission to PhD programmes, awarding Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as assistant professors is being conducted from January 3 to January 16 for 85 subjects in the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. "The NTA has received representations to postpone the exam on January 15 on account of festivals, including Pongal and Makar Sakranti. In the interest of the aspirants, the exam has been postponed and a new date will be announced later," Rajesh Kumar, Director (Exams), NTA, said. "The exam on January 16 will be conducted as per the earlier schedule," he added. On January 15, the exam was scheduled for 17 subjects, including mass communication and journalism, Sanskrit, Nepali, law, Japanese, women studies, Malayalam, Urdu, Konkani, criminology, folk literature, .