AP J Abdul Kalam

Born on 15th October 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, specialized in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. Dr. Kalam made significant contribution as Project Director to develop India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully injected the Rohini satellite in the near earth orbit in July 1980 and made India an exclusive member of Space Club. He was responsible for the evolution of ISRO's launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration. After working for two decades in ISRO and mastering launch vehicle technologies, Dr. Kalam took up the responsibility of developing Indigenous Guided Missiles at Defence Research and Development Organisation as the Chief Executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). He was responsible for the development and operationalisation of AGNI and PRITHVI Missiles and for building indigenous capability in critical technologies through networking of multiple institutions. He was the Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development from July 1992 to December 1999. During this period he led to the weaponisation of strategic missile systems and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in collaboration with Department of Atomic Energy, which made India a nuclear weapon State. He also gave thrust to self-reliance in defence systems by progressing multiple development tasks and mission projects such as Light Combat Aircraft.

As Chairman of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) and as an eminent scientist, he led the country with the help of 500 experts to arrive at Technology Vision 2020 giving a road map for transforming India from the present developing status to a developed nation. Dr. Kalam has served as the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, in the rank of Cabinet Minister, from November 1999 to November 2001 and was responsible for evolving policies, strategies and missions for many development applications. Dr. Kalam was also the Chairman, Ex-officio, of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SAC-C) and piloted India Millennium Mission 2020.

Dr. Kalam took up academic pursuit as Professor, Technology & Societal Transformation at Anna University, Chennai from November 2001 and was involved in teaching and research tasks. Above all he took up a mission to ignite the young minds for national development by meeting high school students across the country.

In his literary pursuit four of Dr. Kalam's books - "Wings of Fire", "India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium", "My journey" and "Ignited Minds - Unleashing the power within India" have become household names in India and among the Indian nationals abroad. These books have been translated in many Indian languages.

Dr. Kalam is one of the most distinguished scientists of India with the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 30 universities and institutions. He has been awarded the coveted civilian awards - Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna (1997). He is a recipient of several other awards and Fellow of many professional institutions.

Dr. Kalam became the 11th President of India on 25th July 2002. His focus is on transforming India into a developed nation by 2020.

Taj Mahal : Shah Jahan

Born On: January 5, 1592
Died On: January 22, 1666

Achievements: Founder of the magnificent monument Taj Mahal, Also associated with the Red Fort of Delhi, Jama Masjid of Delhi, Section of Agra Fort, the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Moti Masjid in Lahore, Pakistan.

Shah Jahan, his name along with the name of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, being synonymous with the existence and ever growing popularity of Taj Mahal, was a Mughal Emperor of the Southern Asia who reigned from 1627 to 1658. Born as Prince Shihab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram in the Lahore, Pakistan of 1592, Shah Jahan was the son of Emperor Jahangir. His name Khurram, which means "joyful" in Persian, was given to him by his grandfather Akbar the Great. Displaying great military skills at an early age against numerous enemies including Mewar, the Lodi in the Deccan, and Kangra, impressed his father so much that Shah Jahan received the title "Shah Jahan Bahadur" from him. He wasn't just a sharp military leader, but also had an exceptional talent for building and proved it by re-designing buildings within the Agra fort. Among many titles he had earned, "The Builder of the Marvels" was one that was about to be proved the most deserving in the time to come.

The most significant part of Shah Jahan's life history began in 1607 when he was 15 and was betrothed to Arjumand Banu Begum, the granddaughter of a Persian noble and was just 14 at that time. After they got married in 1612, Arjumand became the unquestioned love of his life. Khurram, upon finding her appearance and character elect among all the women of the time, bestowed her with the title of Mumtaz Mahal, meaning "Jewel of the Palace". Although Mumtaz was one among the few wives Shah Jahan had had, according to the official court chronicler Qazwini, the relationship with his other wives "had nothing more than the status of marriage. The intimacy, deep affection, attention and favor which His Majesty had for the Cradle of Excellence (Mumtaz) exceeded by a thousand times what he felt for any other". She was his inseparable companion, accompanying him even on military ventures, a trusted confidante and their relationship was intense.

After she died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child, Shah Jahan undertook the work of constructing world's most beautiful monument in her memory. This monument, which entombs Mumtaz Mahal as well as Shah Jahan, came to be known as "Taj Mahal", the building of which took 22 years and 22000 laborers. It was in 1657 that Shah Jahan fell ill, and Dara, Mumtaz Mahal's eldest son assumed responsibility of his father's throne. His other son, Aurangzeb, accompanied by his younger brothers Shuja and Murad marched upon Agra to in order to claim their share. They defeated Dara's armies and declared their father Shah Jahan incompetent to rule and put him under house arrest in Agra Fort. After Shah Jahan died in 1666 in captivity, his body was taken quietly by two men and was laid beside Mumtaz. Apart from the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Red Fort of Delhi, Jama Masjid of Delhi, Section of Agra Fort, the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Moti Masjid in Lahore, Pakistan, are some of the noble structures associated with the name of Shah Jahan, meaning "King of the World" in Persian.

Festivals of North India

India is a land of diversities. The people of every faith and religion live in unity and as well as celebrate various festivals in the country. In no other country of the world are people so frequently motivated by a religious urge to travel as in India. Fortunately for the Hindus, most of their places of pilgrimage are at scenic places in the Himalayas or near the sea or rivers. There is perhaps not a single day in the Indian calendar when a festival or fair is not celebrated in such a vast country with varied religions. There are some national festivals which are celebrated all over North India like Makar Sankranti, Republic Day, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day, Janmashtami, Dussehra, Diwali and Christmas. Then, there are festivals to celebrate change of seasons, festivals connected with the harvesting or sowing of crops, etc. Every happy occasion calls for a celebration accompanied with dance and music. But the various
   

Festivals of North India

festivals are not celebrated by everyone in the country. Besides these, there are festivals associated with pilgrimages. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh pilgrim centers are located almost in every corner of India attracting millions of devotees travelling from one part of the country to another. For instance, the Kumbha Mela (celebrated every 12 years) at Haridwar or Prayag (Allahabad) attracts a few million people each time. While the dates of the national festivals are known, other festivals follow the lunar calendar and the dates change almost every year. However, the dates do not differ too much.

If you plan to include an Indian festival in your itinerary, please check its date with North India Tours Team. We would be delighted to make your trip to India a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience. The North India Tours Team keeps itself updated with the dates of the several festivals which are known to us in advance. Given below is a month-wise list of the various festivals celebrated in the Land of diversities.

North Indian Festivals

January

Republic Day

The Republic Day is celebrated on the 26 January all over the country. The India became republic on 26th January 1950 and from this day this festival is celebrated as a national festival. The day is celebrated traditionally with hoisting of the national flag, a parade and official festivities. The main attraction takes place at New Delhi, where a spectacular parade consisting of the Armed Forces, school children and youth, and folk dancers move down from the magnificent Rashtrapati Bhavan, past the India Gate and onto the historic Red Fort. On 29 January a breathtaking Beating Retreat ceremony takes place, set against the Rashtrapati Bhavan when the Armed Forces bands play martial music and march forming intricate patterns. This is followed by a colourful display of flares and illumination of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and other buildings around.

Lohri

In the north particularly in Punjab, the day before Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri. Lohri is the time after which the biting cold of winter begins to taper off. On this day the children go from door to door and collect funds for the community bonfires which are lit in the evening. Lohri is more of a community festival, where the birth of a son or the first year of marriage is celebrated with great fun and frolic. People gather around the bonfires and offer sweets, crisp rice and popcorn to the flames. Songs are sung to the beat of vigorous claps and greetings are exchanged.

Id–ul–Fitter

This festival celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing. The faithful gather in mosques to pray and meet their friends and relatives and exchange greetings with each other. Prayers, family get–togethers and feasts are the major highlights of the celebrations. Idi or presents of money are given to the youngsters by the family elders, conveying their blessings.

February

Mahashivaratri

On the 14 night of the dark half of the month of Magh, the festival of Mahashivaratri is celebrated, the great night of Lord Shiva. The devotees stay awake throughout the night and offer their prayers to Lord Shiva. They offer special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables and coconuts to Lord Shiva. The devotees fast for the whole day and in the night ate the Prasad offered to Shiva. Special celebrations are held in some of the major Shiv temples at Varanasi.

Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami is celebrated to welcome the spring season on the fifth day of the waxing moon of Magh or February. On this day, the goddess Saraswati, Durga and Lakshmi are worshipped. People wear colourful dress, especially in bright shades of yellow and participate in dance, music and merriment. In West Bengal and northern parts of India, the goddess Saraswati-the goddess of learning is worshipped by placing ‘instruments of learning’ at her shrine. The festival is celebrated with great fervor in the university town of Shantiniketan in West Bengal.

International Yoga Week

During the International Yoga Week, various Yoga sessions are held along the banks of the Ganga at Rishikesh in February. This Yoga week is organized by the U.P. Tourism. Different lectures and Yoga Asanas are demonstrated by the prominent Yoga experts throughout the week. One other attraction of this week is the fascinating water sports on the Ganga.

Taj Mahotsav

The Taj Mahotsav is celebrated in Agra for almost ten days. This festival brings together the finest Indian crafts and cultural nuances at one place. It is a festive introduction to India and Uttar Pradesh. Folk music, Shayari (Poetry), classical dance performances, elephant and camel rides, games and food festival are the part of the festival.

Surajkund Crafts Mela

Surajkund Crafts Mela is a delightful handloom and handicrafts fair which is held annually at Surajkund in Delhi. This fair is celebrated in order to promote the traditional Indian handicrafts. Skilled artisans and craftsmen display their skills and crafts in a rural setting. Cultural programmes and rural cuisine are also a part of this colourful fair.

March

Holi

Holi is popularly known as the ‘colour throwing festival’. This festival is celebrated by the people all over the country. Holi is a spring festival which is celebrated normally over two days in the month of March. On the evening of the first day bonfires are lit, to symbolise the destruction of evil. On the next day the people throw colored powder and water on each other and exchange sweets. In various other parts of India Kama, the god of pleasure, the presiding deity of Holi is also worshipped.

Holi Festival

Lord Krishna is also worshipped by various people to commemorate the destruction of the female demon Putana by the Lord Krishna.

Rama Navami

Rama Navami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama. This festival is celebrated all over the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. During the eight days preceding the birthday it is considered auspicious to read or listen to the epic Ramayana. So the celebrations involve reading and staging of the Ramayana in various folk forms.

Id–ul-Zuha or Bakra-Id

Id-Ul-Zuha is a Muslim festival which is celebrated all over India. This festival commemorates the Ibrahim’s sacrifice. Prayers are offered in the mosques and special delicacies are prepared and served among the families and friends on this day.

Khajuraho Dance Festival

Khajuraho Dance Festival is a weeklong dance festival which is held every year during the month of March in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. This dance festival is organized by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department and is promoted as one of the major cultural event in Khajuraho. This dace festival is organized against the background of the famous Khajuraho temples built by the Chandela kings. During this dance festival various classical dances are performed which feature the best artistes of the country. This festival has earned a great deal of reputation among the local and foreign tourists.

April

Baisakhi

Baisakhi is celebrated as an important day by the Sikhs in Punjab. It was on this day that Guru Govind Singh founded the Khalsa. At all Gurudwaras the ‘Granth Sahib’, the holy book of the Sikhs is read from beginning to end and taken out in a procession by the Panch Pyaras (five senior Sikhs) who are symbolic of the original leaders. After this there is a lot of feasting. In the night the Baisakhi di Raat or Baisakhi da Mela is held in which various folk dances, especially the Bhangra dance is performed and men and women dance to the rhythmic beat of drums. In Kerala the festival is known as Vishu. A display of grain, fruits, flowers, gold, new cloth and money, is viewed early in the morning to ensure a prosperous year ahead. This festival is also known as Rangali Bihu in Assam, and is celebrated with lively dance, music and feasting.

Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. It is one of the most famous festivals of the Jain community. On this day, the Jains visit the sacred temples and offer prayers.

Muharram

Muharram is celebrated as a day of mourning on the occasion of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the holy Prophet Mohammad. This festival is mainly celebrated by the Shi’ite Muslims, who take out procession of colourfully decorated ‘Tazias’, which are paper and bamboo replicas of the martyr’s tomb at Karbala in Iraq. Tazias are carried in procession through the streets while men beat their chests and distress. The processions are especially impressive at Lucknow and Hyderabad. In some parts of the south India, the tiger dancers, men painted with stripes and wearing tiger masks, lead the procession.

Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day in North India. On this day the Lord Buddha born and also achieved Nirvana or the extinction of self and freedom from the cycle of rebirth on the same day.

Good Friday and Easter

Good Friday is celebrated all over India by the Christians. On this day the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. Easter Sunday is celebrated on the occasion of the rebirth of Christ, as the triumph of good over evil. It is a festival of rejuvenation of life and living. A popular custom of this feast is the making of Easter eggs with presents for children inside them. Chocolate eggs, small chicks of cotton wool and almond sweets are bought for children. The festival is celebrated with lot of fun and frolic and the Christians offer special prayer services.

June

Mango Festival

The famous Mango Festival is held in the month of June in Saharanpur, in Uttar Pradesh, in every mango season. In this festival innumerable varieties of the mangoes are displayed.

July

Guru Purnima

On Guru Purnima all the teachers are specially worshipped. Ved Vyasa, the author

Mango Festival
of the great epic, Mahabharata, is also worshipped on this day. On this day the students worship their elders, teachers and guides in order to show respect to them with gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets. Discourses are held in community gatherings to hear the reading of the holy book, Bhagwad Gita.


August

Independence Day

Independence Day is the national festival of India and is observed throughout the country on 15th August. On 15th August, 1947 India got independence and later from this day onwards it is celebrated as Independence Day.

Janmashtami

Janmashtami is celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. This festival is celebrated at midnight in all the temples of Krishna all over the country. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm at Mathura and Brindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Colorful Raslilas, song and dance dramas depicting the life of Lord Krishna are performed all day and night. On this day the night long prayers are offered, religious hymns are sung in temples and various scenes are enacted from Lord Krishna’s early life. In Maharashtra, earthen pots of curd and butter are hung high up over the streets and young men form pyramids and try to break these pots. This is an act in imitation of the Lord who when young, often stole butter and curds kept in earthen pots out of his reach.

Rakshabandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the famous Hindu festival which is celebrated mainly in north India. This is a festival when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affections. The sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brother’s wrist wishing for their long life. The brothers in turn promise to protect the honour and help them in adversaries and also gave them gifts. The sea God Varuna, a Vedic deity, is also worshipped on this day and is as such known as Narial Purnima or ‘Coconut Full Moon’.

October

Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is the national festival of India and is celebrated on 2nd October. This festival is celebrated due to the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

Navratri

Navratri is the longest Hindu festival which is celebrated all over India. This festival is celebrated for nine consecutive nights in praise of Lord Rama and goddess Durga. During these nine days and nights, there is continuous chanting from the great epic Ramayana and as well as various performances from the episodes of his life also known as

Navratri Festival

Ramlila. This festival is a combination of many concepts. It is believed that Durga, the goddess of power and vitality, has nine forms called Navadurga and on each day she takes a new form, with an arsenal of weapons, to ride a lion and fight the demon Mahishasura. The most joyous celebration of Navaratri is seen in Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Every night people gather in courtyards to perform the folk dance, Garba, Dandiya. It is a community dance in which men and women dressed in festive clothes, dance in pairs with dandiyas or painted wooden sticks. Vijaydashmi or Dussehra, the 10th day, is celebrated with feasting and rejoicing as day of victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Lord Rama is said to have worshipped the Goddess, seeking her blessing in order to overpower the evil force of Ravana, the abductor of his beloved Sita.

Dussehra

Dussehra is celebrated all over India to mark the homecoming of Lord Rama. This festival is celebrated as a triumph of the good over the evil. This festival is celebrated for nine consecutive days in praise of Lord Rama and his victory over the demon Ravana. During these nine days, the Ramlila, an enactment is made on the various episodes of the life of Lord Rama and there is continuous chanting from the great epic Ramayana. On the tenth day, the Lord Rama killed the demon Ravana, the abductor of his beloved Sita. On Dussehra, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his brothers Meghnath and Kumbhkarna filled with different fire crackers are set alight to celebrate the victory of good over evil. In Himachal Pradesh, a week long fair is held at Kullu during the Dussehra festival. From the little temples in the hills, the deity of Lord Raghunathji is brought in procession to the Kullu Maidan with lot of gaiety, music and colour. On this day the Mysore Palace in Mysore is also illuminated with lights. Majestic processions, a torch lights parade and dance and musical events enliven the tranquil city. In south India during Dussehra, houses are decorated with displays of dolls, toys and idols. In West Bengal, the decorated idols of goddess Durga which were worshipped for nine days are taken out in huge procession and immersed in tanks, rivers or sea.

November

Guru Purab

Guru Purab is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first guru of the Sikhs who founded the Sikh faith in the North India. The two main events which are the part of the festival are the recitation of the holy book and taking out of the holy book in a procession. The ‘Akhand Path’ or the continuous reading of the ‘Granth’ holy book is held in Gurudwaras all over the country. Langars (community feasts) are organised where people of all castes sit together to eat and sing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. The celebrations at Amritsar are especially impressive.

Sharad Purnima

Sharad Purnima is a harvest festival which is celebrated when the goddess Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity, visits the home of all to bring them fortune and good luck. Kojagiri, the special night, is celebrated with ice-cold, saffron-flavored sweet rice milk or Kheer is prepared and kept in the moonlight. On the next day, that Kheer is served to all the people and other family members. The full moon night is called Navanna Purnima or the moonlit night of new food. The newly harvested rice is offered to the god and lamps are lit before the full moon.

Diwali

The word “Diwali” is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Deepawali’, which means a row or cluster of lights. It is one of the most widely celebrated and most beautiful festivals of India. Diwali is the brightest and noisiest festival of India. This festival comes after the 21 days of Dussehra. According to the legends the Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after his 14 year exile in the forest. It is said that the people illuminated their houses and streets with earthen oil lamps to welcome the
  
Diwali Festival

Lord. Even today almost every one illuminates their houses with oil lamps, candles and electric lights, decorate their houses and distribute the sweets to each other. The people decorate their doorways with the Bandanwars or torans (a decorative garland) of mango leaves and marigolds. Rangolis (designs on floor) are drawn with different coloured powders to welcome the guests. On this special day the goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth is worshipped. In the night, the people wear new clothes, illuminate their houses, worship the goddess Laxmi, burn the firecrackers and exchange the sweets.

December

Christmas

Christmas is celebrated by the Christians all over India and world on 25th December. Christmas is celebrated due to the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. The Christmas spirit pervades in the market that also offer attractive bargains. On this day the people exchange greetings and gifts and offer prayers in Church.

Indian Food

Just like Indian culture, food in India has also been influenced by various civilizations, which have contributed their share in its overall development and the present form.

Foods of India are better known for its spiciness.

Throughout India, Whether in North or South, spices are used generously in food. But one must not forget that every single spice used in Indian dishes carries some or the other nutritional as well as medicinal properties.

Food in the north India,To begin with, Kashmiri cuisines reflect strong Central Asian influences. In Kashmir, mostly all the dishes are prepared around the main course of rice found abundantly in the beautiful valley. Another delicious item cooked here is the 'Saag' that is prepared with a green leafy vegetable. Now a day's sag is used in every meal because of its nutritional property.

But on the other hand states like the Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh show high consumption of chapattis( Tortilla like) as staple food. Again, these chapatis are prepared with flours of whole wheat. Besides chapatis other closely related breads baked in these regions include Tandoori, Rumaali and Naan etc. However in the northern region impact of Mughlai food is quite obvious.

East Indian Food

In the eastern India, the Bengali, Odia and Assamese styles of cooking are noticeable. The staple food of such people is rice and fish. Usually these people love eating varieties of fishes. A special way of preparing the delicacy known as 'Hilsa' is by wrapping it in the pumpkin leaf and then cooking it. Another unusual ingredient that is commonly used in the Bengali cooking is the 'Bamboo Shoot'. Fish curry with curd and mustard seed paste...is really tasty.Sweets like Chamcham, Misty dohi, gulabjamun, rasagolla and Chennapoda are preferred by many.

South Indian Food

In the southern India, the states make great use of spices, fishes and coconuts, as most of them have coastal kitchens. In the foods of Tamil Nadu use of tamarind is frequently made in order to impart sourness to the dishes. It simply distinguishes the Tamil Food from other cuisines. The cooking style of Andhra Pradesh is supposed to make excessive use of chilies, which is obviously to improve the taste of the dishes.

In Kerala, some of the delicious dishes are thelamb stew and appams, Malabar fried prawns, Idlis, Dosas, fish molie and rice puttu. Another famous item of this region is the sweetened coconut milk. Yet another dish is Puttu, which is glutinous rice powder steamed like a pudding in a bamboo shoot.

West Indian Food

In western India, the desert cuisine is famous for its unique taste and varieties of food. Rajasthan and Gujarat are the states that represent the dessert flavor of Indian food. Here an immense variety of dals and achars (pickles/preserves) is used that simply substitutes the relative lack of fresh vegetables in these areas.

In the states like Maharashtra, the food is usually a mix of both north as well as south cooking styles. Here people use both the rice and the wheat with same interest. Along the coastline of Mumbai a wide variety of fishes is available. Some of the delicious preparations include dishes like the Bombay Prawn and Pomfret.

In Goa, that is further down towards south, one can notice Portuguese influence in the cooking style as well as in the dishes. Some of the major dishes of this regiun are the sweet and sour Vindaloo, duck baffad, sorpotel and egg molie etc.

Pongal Festival - Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

 

 Pongal is a celebration of the harvest, which is observed for three days from 14 to 17 January every year.

Pongal festivities are organised as Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal on the three successive days of the festival. In certain parts, cattle races still enliven the village festivities.

Pongal is a colourful and traditional festival with many a ceremony devoted to various deities. With ingredients provided by the freshly gathered harvest, community meals are held at many a place.

Narendra Modi's list of top 10 priorities for the economy

1. Build confidence in bureaucracy

2. Welcome innovative ideas & babus to be given freedom to work

3. Education, Health, Water. Energy & roads will be priority

4. Transparency in the government. E-auction to be promoted

5. System will be placed for inter ministerial issues

6. People oriented system to be in placed in government machinery

7. Addressing concerns relating to economy

8. Infrastructure and investment reforms

9. Implement policy in time bound manner

10. Stability and sustain ability in government policy

Help Indian economy growth, buy Indian products...

If we unite, we can make a difference in our economy. A cold drink that costs only 70 / 80 paisa to produce is sold for nine rupees. A major chunk of profits from these are sent abroad. This is a serious drain on Indian economy.

INDIAN ECONOMY is in a deep crisis. Our country like many other ASIAN countries is undergoing a severe economic crunch. Many Indian industries are closing down. The Indian economy is in a crisis and if we do not take proper steps to control those, we will be in a critical situation.


More than 30,000 crore rupees of foreign exchange are being siphoned out of our country on products such as cosmetics, snacks, tea, beverages, etc which are grown, produced and consumed here.

A cold drink that costs only 70 / 80 paisa to produce is sold for nine rupees, and a major chunk of profits from these are sent abroad. This is a serious drain on Indian economy.

Coca Cola and Sprite belong to the same multinational company, Coca Cola?

Coke advertisement says: ‘Jo chaho hojaye, Coca Cola enjoy’. Well, you can consider some of the better alternatives to aerated drinks. You may drink lemon juice, fresh fruit juices, chilled lassi (sweet or sour), butter milk, coconut water, jaljeera, Enerjee, masala milk. Everyone deserves a healthy drink, including you!

Over and above all this, economic sanctions have been imposed on us. We have nothing against multinational companies, but to protect our own interests we request everybody to use Indian products only for next two years. With the rise in petrol prices, if we do not do this, the rupee will devalue further and we will end up paying much more for the same products in the near future.

What you can do about it?

1. Buy only products manufactured by wholly Indian companies.
2. Enroll as many people as possible for this cause.

Each individual should become a leader for this awareness.

This is the only way to save our country from severe economic crisis. You don’t need to give-up your lifestyle. You just need to choose an alternate product.

All categories of products are available from wholly Indian companies.

List of products:

Bathing soap: Use Cinthol and other Godrej brands, Santoor, Wipro Shikakai, Mysore Sandal, Margo, Neem, Evita, Medimix, Ganga , Nirma Bath and Chandrika, instead of Lux, Lifeboy, Rexona, Liril, Dove, Pears, Hamam, Lesancy, Camay, Palmolive, etc.

Toothpaste: Use Neem, Babool, Promise, Vico Vajradanti, Prudent, Dabur products, Miswak, instead of Colgate, Close Up, Pepsodent, Cibaca, Forhans, Mentadent, etc.

Toothbrush: Use Prudent, Ajanta, Promise instead of Colgate, Close Up, Pepsodent, Forhans, Oral-B, etc.

Shaving cream: Use Godrej, Emani instead of Palmolive, Old Spice, Gillete

Blade: Use Supermax, Topaz, Lazer, Ashoka instead of Seven-o-Clock, 365, Gillette

Talcum powder: Use Santoor, Gokul, Cinthol, Wipro Baby Powder, Boroplus
instead of Ponds, Old Spice, Johnson Baby Powder, Shower To Shower

Milk powder: Use Indiana, Amul, Amulya instead of Anikspray, Milkana, Everyday Milk, Milkmaid.

Shampoo: Use Lakme, Nirma, Velvet instead of Halo, All Clear, Nyle, Sunsilk, Head & Shoulders, Pantene

Mobile connections: Use BSNL, Airtel instead of Hutch

Every Indian product you buy makes a big difference. It saves India. Let us take a firm decision today. Buy Indian to be Indian, we are not against foreign products. We are not anti-multinational. We are trying to save our nation. Every day is a struggle for a real freedom.

We achieved our independence after losing many lives. Our freedom fighters died painfully to ensure that we live peacefully. The current trend is very threatening.

Multinationals call it globalisation of the Indian economy. For Indians like you and me, it is recolonisation of India. The colonist’s left India then, but this time they will make sure they don’t make any mistakes.

Who would like to let a “goose that lays golden eggs” slip away. Please remember political freedom is useless without economic independence.

Russia, S. Korea, Mexico …the list is very long! Let us learn from their experience and from our history. Let us do the duty of every true Indian.

Finally, it’s obvious that you can’t give up all of the items mentioned above, so give up at least one item to for the sake of our country. “Little drops make a great ocean.”

Thirukura Tree

Thiruvidaikazhi is situated in the enroute of Mayruam and Tharangampadi around 6 km from Thirukadaiyur.
The moolavar, Lord Murugan showers his blessings facing east under ThiruKura tree. A shivalingam is situated at the back of moolvar and a spatika linga is situated in the front. Goddess Devayanai has a separate sannadhi in this shrine.