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<ul><li><keyword id="6354953" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="punjab" source="Orion">Punjab</keyword> Chief Minister and <keyword id="1575" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="congress" source="Orion">Congress</keyword> rebel <keyword id="135403" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="capt-amarinder-singh" source="Orion">Capt Amarinder Singh</keyword> faced a humiliating defeat from AAP's greenhorn Ajit Pal Kohli with over 13,000 votes on Thursday from his stronghold <keyword id="62595" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="patiala" source="Orion">Patiala</keyword> (Urban).</li><li>The former's fledgling Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) was contesting the polls in alliance with the BJP and SAD (Sanyukt), an Akali Dal rebel.</li><li><keyword id="2205232" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="capt-amarinder" source="Orion">Capt Amarinder</keyword> Singh left the Congress just ahead of the polls after the Congress unceremoniously removed him from the helm and he floated his own party.</li></ul>In a major embarrassment for two-time Punjab Chief Minister and Congress rebel Capt Amarinder Singh in a fag-end of his political career, he faced a humiliating defeat from AAP's greenhorn Ajit Pal Kohli with over 13,000 votes on Thursday from his stronghold Patiala (Urban), the seat that he has won for four consecutive terms since 2002 when he first contested. He is seen as a nationalist, and widely respected leader of the BJP-led alliance. The former's fledgling Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) was contesting the polls in alliance with the BJP and SAD (Sanyukt), an Akali Dal rebel. In the Congress-ruled state, Arvind Kejriwal's AAP is heading for a landslide win, with the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP far behind. Capt Amarinder Singh left the Congress just ahead of the polls after the Congress unceremoniously removed him from the helm and he floated his own party. A day ahead of the counting of votes, Capt Amarinder Singh exuded full confidence, saying he expected positive verdict by the people of Punjab in favour of his party Punjab Lok Congress and the alliance partners, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal-Samyukt. In his statement, Capt Amarinder Singh had said, "the counting of votes marks the conclusion of the electoral festival of democracy and we are confident of outstanding results". Capt Amarinder Singh said people of Punjab had understood the importance of a "double-engine" government in Punjab which will watch and safeguard the national interest and help in reviving Punjab's economy. "Promising days are ahead for Punjab", he had remarked. In the 2019 parliamentary polls, Capt Amarinder Singh steered his former party -- the Congress to a victory in his ruling Punjab in eight out of 13 Lok Sabha seats despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wave across the country. At a public meeting ahead of the polls, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had a special praise for Capt Amarinder Singh that he always rose above partisan considerations when it came to the issues concerning national security. He said when he became the Home Minister in 2019, he felt quite concerned about the security along the Punjab border. "But once I spoke to Capt Amarinder, I felt relaxed," he had recalled at his rally in Patiala town. In 2017, Capt Amarinder Singh, now 80, polled 72,217 votes against nearest rival Balbir Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party, who got just 19,852. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate and former Army chief Gen J.J. Singh (retd) got just 11,613 votes. Gen Singh is now with the BJP. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-s22-series-pixel-6-affected-by-severe-dirty-pipe-vulnerability-that-lets-hackers-intercept-whatsapp-messages-sms-and-more/articleshow/90120028.cms">Samsung Galaxy S22 series, Pixel 6 affected by severe ‘Dirty Pipe’ vulnerability that lets hackers intercept WhatsApp messages, SMS and more</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/india-is-likely-to-promote-upi-rupay-to-de-risk-itself/articleshow/90119399.cms">India is likely to promote UPI, Rupay to de-risk itself</a>

Punjab Elections 2022: Former CM Captain Amarinder Singh loses Patiala seat

Star javelin thrower <keyword id="1115774" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra">Neeraj Chopra</keyword> began the 2021 season with an outstanding performance and a new national mark -- of 88.07 metres -- in the third leg of the one-day Indian Grand Prix meet at <keyword id="62595" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="patiala">Patiala</keyword>'s National Institute of Sports on Friday. The 23-year-old athlete from Panipat hurled the javelin to the record distance in his fifth attempt to improve his previous best of 88.06m recorded on his way to winning the 2018 Asian Games gold in <keyword id="8692" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indonesia">Indonesia</keyword>. The Olympic hopeful had last participated in January 2020 in a local athletics meet in <keyword id="10875656" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="south-african-city">South African city</keyword> of <keyword id="236323" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Potchefstroom">Potchefstroom</keyword>. Chopra had recorded a throw of 87.86m, which was better than the <keyword id="10875657" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="tokyo-olympic-qualification-standard">Tokyo Olympic qualification standard</keyword> of 85m. Chopra, who also set a junior world record (86.48m) in 2016, had to log much of his training indoors since the Potchefstroom event due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown imposed in India. The 23-year-old from Haryana resumed outdoor training in May along with other elite athletes. Chopra has been training in <keyword id="50863" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhubaneswar">Bhubaneswar</keyword>, Odisha for the past two months along with other top javelin throwers in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics which starts on July 23. His next stop is the Federation Cup athletics meet that will start from March 18 in Patiala. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/check-out-all-the-hiring-opportunities-in-2021-in-india/slidelist/81343839.cms">A whole host of jobs, from government to private to foreign companies in India, are opening up ⁠— here’s a look at some of those</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/these-are-the-worlds-top-food-delivery-companies-indias-zomato-and-swiggy-have-a-long-way-to-go-as-compared-to-their-global-counterparts-like-doordash-or-meituan/slidelist/81344728.cms">These are the world’s top food delivery companies – India’s Zomato and Swiggy have a long way to go as compared to their global counterparts like DoorDash or Meituan</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/wipro-share-price-has-outperformed-its-peers-in-the-last-one-year-but-analysts-are-still-cautious-about-giving-it-a-buy-rating/articleshow/81345564.cms">Wipro's share price has outperformed its peers in the last year — but analysts are still cautious about giving it a 'buy' rating</a>

Neeraj Chopra sets national record in javelin

New Delhi, Aug 17 () An employee of a State Bank of India branch inside Patiala's National Institute of Sports (NIS) has tested positive for COVID-19 but there is no threat to the ongoing training of athletes at the facility, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said on Monday. According to SAI, the employee who tested positive on Sunday, did not come in contact with athletes and coaches residing inside the campus, which has been divided into red, orange and green zones because of the pandemic. "One employee of the SBI housed inside Netaji Subhash NIS Patiala has tested COVID positive. But the entire campus is colour coded and the bank is in the red zone, whereas athletes live and train in the green zone," a SAI official told . "No person from the red zone has access to the green zone and therefore there has been no contact between the bank employee and athletes. The bank has been shut down as per protocol and this incident will not affect the camps." Currently, the national camps for boxing, weightlifting and athletics are underway at the NIS. Indian boxing team's doctor Anmol Patil had contracted the deadly virus last month but has recovered. Two medical staffers at the campus also tested positive earlier this month. SSC PM PM

SBI employee inside NIS Patiala tests positive for COVID-19, but camps secure, to continue: SAI

Mumbai, Apr 21 () Popular TV shows such as "Isharon Isharon Mein", "Beyhadh 2" and "Patiala Babes" have been terminated in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Sony channel announced on Tuesday. All cine bodies, including Producers Guild of India and Indian Film and TV Producers Council, called for the suspension of shootings of films, TV shows and web series from March 19 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.As the country enters a month into lockdown, which started on March 25 to contain the spread of the disease, Sony Entertainment Television and producers decided to put an end to the three serials due to the "unprecedented situation" at hand."'Isharon Isharon Mein', 'Beyhadh 2' and 'Patiala Babes' are finite fiction shows and the nature and the pace of the narrative is time-bound. Given that all shoots have been stalled since March, owing to the unprecedented situation we are in, these shows couldn't shoot their logical ends. "All the three shows have had a good spell and would have paved way to newer narratives eventually, had the shoots been functional. Having said that, keeping best interests of all in mind and in joint agreement with the producers, it has been decided to terminate these shows, as of now," the channel said in statement. RDS BKBK

'Beyhadh 2', 'Patiala Babes', 'Isharon Isharon Mein' go off air amid coronavirus outbreak

The finance ministry has asked four large <keyword id="44530" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="PSU">PSU</keyword> lenders to explore opportunities for acquisition of small and mid-sized banks with a goal to create global sized lenders, sources told PTI. One of the possibilities is that large public sector banks (PSBs) like Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank and Bank of India could try looking for potential candidates for acquisition, they said. So, informally, the finance ministry has sounded them that they should study the possibility for mergers and acquisitions so as to acquire scale and size of <keyword id="6354731" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Bank-Of-India">State Bank of India</keyword> (<keyword id="13222" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="SBI">SBI</keyword>), the sources added. There are factors like regional balance, geographical reach, financial burden and smooth human resource transition that have to be looked into while taking a merger decision, they said, adding there should not be merger of a very weak bank with a strong one "as it could pull the latter down". However, the clear picture would emerge only after the Niti Aayog report sets the tone and tenure of the roadmap for the second round of consolidation in the banking sector. In the last consolidation drive, five associates and Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) became part of SBI on April 1, 2017, catapulting the country's largest lender to among the top 50 banks in the world. <keyword id="229649" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Bikaner">State Bank of Bikaner</keyword> and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), <keyword id="4376212" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Patiala">State Bank of Patiala</keyword> (SBP) and <keyword id="6560713" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Travancore">State Bank of Travancore</keyword> (SBT), besides BMB, were merged with SBI. With the merger, the total customer base of the SBI reached around 37 crore with a branch network of around 24,000 and nearly 59,000 ATMs across the country. The merged entity began operation with deposit base of more than Rs 26 lakh crore and advances level of Rs 18.50 lakh crore. The government in February had approved the merger of these five associate banks with SBI. Later in March, the cabinapproved merger of BMB as well. SBI first merged State Bank of Saurashtra with itself in 2008. Two years later, State <keyword id="269823" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bank-of-Indore">Bank of Indore</keyword> was merged with it. Enthused by the success of SBI merger, the finance ministry is considering clearing another such proposal in the public sector banking space by this fiscal-end. Another round of merger should kick off once the non- performing assets (NPAs) situation improves. Toxic loans of public sector banks rose by over Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 6.06 lakh crore during April-December of 2016-17, the bulk of which came from power, steel, road infrastructure and textile sectors.

This is why the Finance Minister wants to acquire more small and mid-sized banks

Andhra Bank, Punjab and <keyword id="149809" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sind-Bank">Sind Bank</keyword> and <keyword id="6361176" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Bank">State Bank</keyword> of No matter whether the banks got a logo makeover or looks chic inside, not a single public service bank has secured a position in Top 10 chart of service standards, as shown by the <keyword id="414760" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Banking-Codes-and-Standards-Board-of-India">Banking Codes and Standards Board of India</keyword> (BCSBI). And the ones coming in the top 5 are RBL Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Yes Bank, Citibank and HSBC. Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, Andhra Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank and <keyword id="4376212" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Patiala">State Bank of Patiala</keyword> have hit the lowest position. The BCSBI - a body set up by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) - is a society of banks that prescribes minimum service standards for lenders. By promising adherence to the codes, banks spell out the minimum service standards customers can expect. According to <keyword id="6474066" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-times">Economic Times</keyword> report, the survey was conducted using five parameters - information dissemination, transparency, grievance redressal, customer centricity and customer feedback. Banks have been ranked in each of the parameters and an overall rank has been provided. When compared to the last such survey in 2015, both public sector and private sector banks have seen their score drop across all parameters, except grievance redressal. Foreign banks have improved their performance on transparency, customer feedback and customer centricity. Andhra Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank and State Bank of No matter whether the banks got a logo makeover or looks chic inside, not a single public service bank has secured a position in Top 10 chart of service standards, as shown by the Banking Codes and Standards Board of India (BCSBI). And the ones coming in the top 5 are RBL Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Yes Bank, Citibank and HSBC. Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, Andhra Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank and State Bank of Patiala have hit the lowest position. The BCSBI - a body set up by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) - is a society of banks that prescribes minimum service standards for lenders. By promising adherence to the codes, banks spell out the minimum service standards customers can expect. According to Economic Times report, the survey was conducted using five parameters - information dissemination, transparency, grievance redressal, customer centricity and customer feedback. Banks have been ranked in each of the parameters and an overall rank has been provided. When compared to the last such survey in 2015, both public sector and private sector banks have seen their score drop across all parameters, except grievance redressal. Foreign banks have improved their performance on transparency, customer feedback and customer centricity.

These government banks have the worst service record, according to RBI approved body

India’s largest lender <keyword id="6354731" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="State-Bank-Of-India">State Bank of India</keyword> (<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/SBI-aims-for-unbanked-rural-India-for-business-correspondent-model/articleshow/53315581.cms">SBI</a>) has approved the merger of its operations with six associate banks, viz. <keyword id="6560713" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Travancore">State Bank of Travancore</keyword>, <keyword id="4376211" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Mysore">State Bank of Mysore</keyword>, <keyword id="4376209" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="State-Bank-Of-Bikaner-and-Jaipur">State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur</keyword>, <keyword id="143585" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Hyderabad">State Bank of Hyderabad</keyword>, <keyword id="4376212" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Patiala">State Bank of Patiala</keyword>, and Mahila Bank. 
 It was in June that the centre had given the go-ahead to merge <keyword id="13222" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="SBI">SBI</keyword> with five of its associate lenders and <keyword id="6560712" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bharatiya-Mahila-Bank">Bharatiya Mahila Bank</keyword>, thus increasing the chances of it breaking into the top 50 list of Bloomberg's largest bank by asset ranking. 
 
Marking the first ever large-scale consolidation in the Indian banking industry, the merger will result in SBI becoming a huge banking entity with an asset book of Rs 37 lakh crore. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/SBI-directs-associate-banks-to-clean-up-books-before-merger/articleshow/53611963.cms">Clean up books before merger, SBI directs associate banks</a> 
 
As per the terms of the merger, SBI will give 28 of its shares for every 10 shares held of State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, while for every 10 shares held of State Bank of Mysore as well as State Bank of Travancore, it will give 22 of its shares. 
 
For for every 100 crore equity shares of Bhartiya Mahila Bank, SBI will be giving 4,42,31,510 shares with face value of Re. 1. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/SBI-Chairman-blames-stalled-projects-for-Indian-banking-sector-stress/articleshow/53080413.cms">Stalled projects from 2011 to 13 have put Indian banking sector into stress, says SBI Chairman</a> 
 
Comparing post-merger SBI with India’s second largest bank <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/At-745-million-this-ICICI-Pru-Life-IPO-is-Indias-biggest-in-six-years/articleshow/53265064.cms">ICICI</a>, its asset base will become five times as big as ICICI’s. 
 
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NfBLGD5BAo8/TVOzs86G8WI/AAAAAAAAASE/H6PHjHGPWcY/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG">Image source</a>

Six banks are going to merge into SBI

The protests and counter protests at the Jawaharlal Nehru University are refusing to die out. What started as an event to mark the death anniversary of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, by alleged students of the University, at the campus has snowballed into a gigantic political controversy, resulting in detentions under sedition charges, assault on journalists amongst other things etc. 
 
Here is the timeline of what happened at the JNU campus: 
 
- Alleged students of the JNU had organised an event to protest against judicial hanging of Afzal Guru in 2013 and also to express solidarity with Kashmiri migrants. 
 
- Posters were put up at the Sabarmati dhaba of JNU campus about the same. Also, a programme-‘A country without a post office — against the judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhatt’-was supposed to take off. 
 
- This didn’t go down well with ABVP members, who protested against the event, demanding expulsion of the organisers. 
 
- A disciplinary enquiry was taken up by the university administration. The administration claimed the organisers went ahead with the event without permission. 
 
- A protest march was also carried out and ABVP members accused JNU students of shouting anti-India slogans. A video also appeared in which students were heard shouting slogans like ‘Kashmir ki azadi se, bharat ki barbadi tak, jangh rahegi jari’. 
 
- Now, ABVP members and JNU students are at loggerheads. In the face-off, JNU students say they did not shout any anti-national slogans. 
 
- A sedition case against unknown students was registered at Vasant Kunj (North) police station and the university also barred eight students from academic activity pending an enquiry. 
 
- JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on sedition charges and ordered to three-day police custody. 
 
- Students of JNU gave a shutdown call and #JNUShutdown started trending everywhere, demanding Kumar’s release. JNU teachers also joined the students in boycotting classes. 
 
- On February 14, the Patiala House saw violence as a mob, wearing lawyer’s robe, slapped and kicked supporters of Kanhaiya Kumar. Journalists and students bore the brunt of the violence. 
 - Over 400 journalists had taken out a procession after mediapersons were attacked by lawyers at the <keyword id="286287" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Patiala-court">Patiala Court</keyword>. The Supreme Court had slammed unruly behaviour of the lawyers and ordered that both the clients and media persons should be given security in the premises of the courts. 
 
 
 
- On February 17 also, violence was witnessed outside Patiala House Court when two groups of lawyers clashed with each other. Pro-India slogans were raised by lawyers who called themselves 'deshbhakts' and referred to those stopping them as 'deshdrohi'. 
 
- The group of lawyers that attacked journalists said that they cannot be termed 'goons'. Lawyers were heard chanting ‘Vande Mataram’. The Supreme Court was also informed that Kanhaiya Kumar was attacked in the court premises. 
 
- Some reports of stone-pelting at the Patiala House court also surfaced. 
 
- SC restricted the number reporters to five and two supporters of arrested students for the hearing. 
 
- Kanhaiya Kumar has been sent to judicial custody till March 02. Before his hearing, journalists were yet again attacked in the scuffle between two lawyer groups. 
 
- Doctor has been called to provide medical aid to Kanhaiya. 
 
- Kumar has maintained that he did not shout any anti-national slogans and few outsiders were involved in raising anti-India slogans. 
 
(Images: Indiatimes)

Everything you need to know about the JNU unrest

Employees of <keyword id="6354731" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="State-Bank-Of-India">State Bank of India</keyword>'s associate banks, including State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Travancore and <keyword id="143585" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Hyderabad">State Bank of Hyderabad</keyword> went on a one-day <keyword id="6358138" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Strike">strike</keyword> on Thursday. They are protesting against the decision to merge these banks with the SBI permanently. The employees demanded filling up of vacancies, increasing the number of staff in the <keyword id="157757" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="housing-loan">Housing loan</keyword> section and extending the compassionate ground appointments to associate banks, a PTI report said. 
		 
	
		The SBI associate banks employees also warned the management that they would go for a nationwide strike on June 24 if their demands are not fulfilled. They want the management to find a solution soon. 
		 
	
		Recently, talks were held in Delhi over the matter, but failed to reach a conclusion. This prompted the unions to call for the strike. The <keyword id="6452174" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="All-India-Bank-Employees-Association">All India Bank Employees Association</keyword> claimed that 50,000 employees participated in the strike today. 
	(Image: Indiatimes)

SBI's associate banks employees on strike today

The State Bank of India will initiate consolidation in the banking industry by combining its five associate banks as it prepares to fund the economy. The move will enhance the asset base of <keyword id="13222" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="SBI">SBI</keyword> to Rs 21.9 lakh crore and add 5,658 branches to its current number of 15,143 branches. The combined market share will rise to 24% from the current 19%. 
 SBI’s five associates include the <keyword id="6560713" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Travancore">State Bank of Travancore</keyword>, the <keyword id="143585" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Hyderabad">State Bank of Hyderabad</keyword>, the <keyword id="4376212" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-Patiala">State Bank of Patiala</keyword>, the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur and the State Bank of Mysore. 
 
“When I came in, there were a number of fires in the parent itself. So if you have to do something, first you need to look at the mother ship. Once the mother ship is in a better form, then obviously, you can start looking at other areas. So I think that time has come or it is approaching,” said SBI chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya. 
 
She called for changes in a number of laws enacted by the previous UPA government like the Land Acquisition Act and the Companies Act. 
 
“While it (the Land Acquisition Act) has done a good thing to ensure that landowners get adequate compensation, the process has become long (the relief and rehabilitation process is too difficult to negotiate). In the new Companies Act, there are various features that make it so draconian that it is difficult to source independent members of the board,” she said.

SBI To Merge Five Associate
Banks With Itself

If the snapshots of a frozen Niagara have chilled you to the bones and the gradual dip in mercury at home keeps you shivering, here is the best remedy to beat the last leg of the icy cold <keyword id="46788" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Winter">winter</keyword>. Celebrate <keyword id="6494293" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lohri">Lohri</keyword> this year with <keyword id="28762" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="fire">fire</keyword> and flamboyance – with the beating of dhol, <keyword id="6920" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhangra">bhangra</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="465865" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="giddha">giddha</keyword> dancing, blazing bonfires and mithas of traditional sweets. Lohri is a popular <keyword id="404010" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="harvest-festival">harvest festival</keyword>, celebrated all over <keyword id="55424" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Northern-India">Northern India</keyword> in the middle of January, and Monday the 13th is the stipulated date this year. 
 Essentially a <keyword id="2012366" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rural-festival">rural festival</keyword> held in <keyword id="6354953" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjab">Punjab</keyword>, <keyword id="41646" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Haryana">Haryana</keyword>, <keyword id="66" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword> and some parts of <keyword id="6358126" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh">Himachal Pradesh</keyword> and <keyword id="6357972" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jammu">Jammu</keyword>, this one celebrates the bountiful harvests as the ravi crops (winter crops including wheat, barley, mustard, <keyword id="56382" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sesame">sesame</keyword> and peas) are gathered while people unite in thanksgiving and pray for prosperity. Held on the last day of the month Paush, Lohri also marks the Sun’s entry into the northern hemisphere, popularly known as <keyword id="90750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uttarayan">Uttarayan</keyword>. This signifies the end of the cold, dark winter days and bonfires are lit to worship the Sun – the eternal spark of life. Lohri melas (festivals) are also held every year to celebrate the occasion. 
 A week before the festival, children start gathering <keyword id="1066921" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="firewood">firewood</keyword> and go from door to door, singing old folk songs and collecting their <keyword id="2012376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lohri-loot">Lohri loot</keyword> – a wide variety of scrumptious sweets like <keyword id="2012377" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rewri">rewri</keyword>, <keyword id="529387" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gajak">gajak</keyword>, <keyword id="137842" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="jaggery">jaggery</keyword>, <keyword id="116024" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Peanut">peanut</keyword> chikki and <keyword id="6427332" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="TIL">til</keyword> (sesame) barfi. On the D-day, after sundown, people rush to the <keyword id="2012365" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bonfire-celebration">bonfire celebration</keyword>, followed by a gala evening filled with songs, dances and feasting. The festival also holds great significance for the newlyweds and the newborns whose first Lohri is celebrated with pomp and splendour. 
 This year, too, the Lohri bashes are all set to fire up the festivities in spite of the <keyword id="517425" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="biting-cold">biting cold</keyword> of the past few days. It has been partly cloudy in the national capital of Delhi, along with early <keyword id="49908" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="MORNING-FOG">morning fog</keyword> and a chilly breeze, but the day gets warmer with an occasional burst of sunshine. It has not rained either, as predicted by the MeT department, and the minimum temperature on the Lohri day is expected to hover between 4 and 6°C. Incidentally, the Jaffarpur Kalan area in Delhi has already recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 1.4°C a couple of days ago. The city also witnessed the worst fog in four years, with flight and train operations coming to a standstill. 
 
Such chilly weather means the bonfires must be extra large this time and the celebrations should get bigger as the sun goes down on Monday. Start the ritual with parikrama – circling the bonfire, chanting prayers, singing folk songs and putting in loads of til (sesame), <keyword id="2012380" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Moongphali">moongphali</keyword> (peanuts), <keyword id="2012381" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chirwa">chirwa</keyword> (puffed rice) and <keyword id="82600" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maize">maize</keyword> (<keyword id="74000" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Popcorn">popcorn</keyword>) into the fire, as the old custom demands. Some even pour milk and water near the circle of fire. These prayers and offerings to the Sun are said to bring peace, harmony and prosperity throughout the year. When the parikrama is over, it is time to exchange gifts and distribute the prasad or puja offerings that mostly include peanuts, til, gajak, jaggery and other munchies. 
 
 
 
But Lohri also signifies a great celebration of life – dancing, feasting and revelry that bring in good cheer. So it’s time to go balle balle with some dazzling outfits, lively dance numbers, Patiala pegs and lip-smacking <keyword id="33659" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjabi-Cuisine">Punjabi cuisine</keyword>. Women can’t go much wrong with the <keyword id="2012402" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lohri-fashion">Lohri fashion</keyword>, though. A <keyword id="2012403" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Patiala-suit">Patiala suit</keyword> with bright-hued <keyword id="531498" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Phulkari">phulkari</keyword> work or heavily embellished <keyword id="6481130" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="zardozi">zardozi</keyword> designs, matching dupatta and gold/kundan jewellery complete the <keyword id="2012391" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ethnic-ensemble">ethnic ensemble</keyword> for this occasion. Go for bold colours and bright shades – not only for your outfit but also for your make-up. The more adventurous can always try glitter and rhinestone make-up to add some extra dazzle. Sport a front puff or a chotti (braid) with a parandi (decorative tassel) and walk out as the belle of the ball – ready to bhangra and giddha all evening, till the fire dies down. 
 Those in love with gourmet food are also looking forward to the celebrations. Start your evening with some spicy chat and tikka; wash it down with a Patiala peg or two or some sweet/salty lassi, and move on to a sumptuous dinner of <keyword id="2012392" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Makhani-di-dal">makhani di dal</keyword>, <keyword id="460117" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sarson-da-saag">sarson da saag</keyword> and <keyword id="2012393" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Makki-di-roti">makki di roti</keyword> (more here on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Top-Indian-Foods-For-Your-Palate-Must-try-Items-FromEvery-State/articleshow/22515429.cms">top Indian foods</a>), followed by the traditional dessert – <keyword id="2012394" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gajar-da-halwa">gajar da halwa</keyword> or <keyword id="2012395" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mong-dal-da-halwa">mong dal da halwa</keyword>. 
 Although Lohri is mostly celebrated in Northern India, similar festivals are held in the East and the South. In <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>, it is <keyword id="42174" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Makar-Sankranti">Makar Sankranti</keyword> on January 14, just a day after Lohri. It is considered as one of the most auspicious days and lakhs of people from all over India take a <keyword id="6365583" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holy-dip">holy dip</keyword> at the confluence of the river <keyword id="79976" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ganges">Ganges</keyword> and the <keyword id="55869" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bay-of-Bengal">Bay of Bengal</keyword>. In <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword>, it is <keyword id="38378" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="pongal">Pongal</keyword> from January 13 and the four-day harvest festival marks the start of a <keyword id="2012401" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="New-cycle">new cycle</keyword> as the Sun enters the northern hemisphere. And in <keyword id="6354915" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Assam">Assam</keyword>, people celebrate the <keyword id="523926" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Magh-Bihu">Magh Bihu</keyword> or <keyword id="95767" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhogali-Bihu">Bhogali Bihu</keyword> on January 14, an equivalent of Makar Sankranti and Pongal. 
 
With so many festivities coming up in the next few days, we wish all our readers happiness, prosperity, and most importantly, a thawing of the heart. Our emotions freeze up at times; our sensitivity becomes numb and our empathy well often runs dry. So what better time is there than today for a renewal of self? That’s what Lohri or the bonfire celebration is all about – it tells us to thaw out our hearts and celebrate a fresh start, a new cycle of life.

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