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Even though the birthday boy, <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> started his day well with <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> wishing him on <keyword id="6354616" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword>, the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> Vice President has become the butt of all jokes among Twitterati. On his 45th birthday, Twitter users are busy celebrating #VishwaPappuDiwas in their own way with some saying he was born on “Buddhuwar” (Fool’s day). Twitterati have been congratulating him since morning for celebrating his birthday in India for the first time. They are addressing the Gandhi scion in many ways. We bring you ten popular names by which he is being addressed. 

	Pappu: It is a derogatory colloquial Hindi word meaning "dumb kid". Twitterati very often use this word to describe the Congress Vice President. 
 

	Buddhu: This again means dumb. People started addressing him by calling him “buddhu” after he made many weird statements during the 2014 general elections campaigns. 
 <keyword id="207949" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rahul-Baba">Rahul baba</keyword>: The word ‘baba’ is being used to refer a kid. The Congress leader is often been referred as Rahul Baba in jokes on various social networking sites. Shahzada: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attacked Rahul Gandhi many times by calling him “shahzada” during the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> elections campaign last year. 

	Yuvraaj: The Congress leader, who also represents the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, is referred as Yuvraaj by some of the politicians. 
 

	RaGa: This is how the India media addresses the Gandhi scion in order to shorten his name. 
 

	Joker: He is being referred to as joker of the Indian politics on social media platforms due to his senseless statements. 
 Prince: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is also known as prince of the <keyword id="415426" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="nehru-gandhi-family">Nehru-Gandhi family</keyword>. Maa ka ladla: Rahul Gandhi is also being called as “Maa ka ladla” as he has always been defended by his mother <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword>. The Congress President took the responsibility of the 2014 Lok Sabha poll debacle, although Rahul Gandhi was equally responsible for the humiliating defeat. <keyword id="2908651" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="PM-in-waiting">PM in waiting</keyword>: The Congress Vice President is also been called as PM in waiting during and after the Lok Sabha elections last year. 
	(Image: Indiatimes)

Top 10 Rahul Gandhi memes on #VishwaPappuDiwas

<keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> visited <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ayodhya&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ayodhya</a> today, since the demolition of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Babri+Masjid+&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Babri Masjid</a> 24 years ago in 1992. He became the first member of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to visit <keyword id="6354931" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ayodhya">Ayodhya</keyword> while he is on “Kisan Yatra”. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Rajiv+Gandhi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Rajiv Gandhi</a> was the last member to visit <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ayodhya&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ayodhya</a> in 1990. 
 
However, there have been other members from the family, who came close. In 2014, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Sonia+Gandhi+&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Sonia Gandhi</a> addressed a rally in Faizabad, nearly 7kms from Agra. 
 
On multiple occasions, Varun Gandhi, who represents Sultanpur Constituency in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Lok+Sabha&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Lok Sabha</a>, has skipped the BJP rallies, he was scheduled to be a part of in Ayodhya. 
 Rahul visited the Hanumangarhi temple which is less than a km away from the site of <keyword id="43572" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Babri-Masjid">Babri Masjid</keyword>. This may be an attempt to pull off a significant showing in the assembly elections, scheduled for 2017.

Rahul Gandhi visits Ayodhya, first Nehru-Gandhi scion in 24 years

The UK’s government department, Companies House, revealed that returns of Backops, a private firm set up by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=rahul+gandhi">Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi</a>, in 2005and 2006 showed Gandhi of British nationality. 
 
However, the UK Companies House said this could very well be an error as the annual return documents were filed electronically and could have been an input mistake. 
 
The statement by the UK department came after senior BJP leader <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=subramanian+swamy">Subramanian Swamy</a> alleged that the fourth generation scion of Nehru-Gandhi family had declared himself a British citizen in the registration papers of Backops Limited, which was dissolved in 2009. 
 
Companies House is an executive agency that also incorporates and dissolves limited companies. 
 
"We carry out basic checks to make sure that documents have been fully completed and signed, but we do not have the statutory power or capability to verify the accuracy of the information that companies send to us. We accept all information that companies deliver to us in good faith and place it on the public record. The fact that the information has been placed on the public record should not be taken to indicate that Companies House has verified or validated it in any way," the representative of the department told ET. 
 
Swamy demanded that Gandhi should be stripped off his Indian citizenship. The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Congress">Congress</a> has denied such allegations, saying Gandhi had never held citizenship of any country other than India and "nor has he represented as such". 
 
READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Subramanian-Swamy-demands-PM-to-strip-Rahul-Gandhi-of-Indian-citizenship/articleshow/49805407.cms">Subramanian Swamy demands PM to strip Rahul Gandhi of Indian citizenship</a> 
 
Swamy showed documents that had Gandhi registered as a British citizen. 
 Meanwhile, the Congress released the company's documents of incorporation, dated August 2003, in which <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> is shown as an Indian national. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

UK govt department says documents showing Rahul Gandhi as British national could be an input error

<keyword id="43068" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Rae-Bareli">RAE BARELI</keyword>: Priyanka Vadra on Sunday once again eclipsed brother <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> in leading the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> charge against BJP and <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>, saying the opposition party was scrambling like "panic-stricken rats". She also told the BJP's PM nominee that one did not need a 56-inch chest to run the country but a big heart and compassion. 
 
Sporadic interventions by other leaders notwithstanding, Priyanka has been leading the line ever since she started campaigning in the family boroughs of Amethi and Rae Bareli, repeatedly taking on the BJP. In the last leg of the poll campaign, the war-of-words has turned into a Priyanka versus Modi affair as her speeches are aimed at launching a counter-offensive against BJP's PM candidate. 
 
Priyanka has been playing a force multiplier for Rahul and Sonia but the attention she is getting from TV channels is another indication that she can put her brother and even her mother in the shade. 
 
At a time she was supposed to limit herself only to family constituencies, Priyanka's terse comments targeting Modi is resonating across the country and there is a feeling that the impact would have been much more if she was set free. 
 
However, Congress leaders are adamant that restricting herself to Amethi and Rae Bareli was Priyanka's decision. 
 
Taking a dig at Modi, she said, "It takes a big heart and compassion, not a 56-inch chest, to run India. It doesn't take brute force to run this country, it takes internal and moral strength, even a determination to lay one's life for the unity of the country." 
 Reacting to Priyanka's remarks, <keyword id="180781" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="BJP-spokesperson">BJP spokesperson</keyword> Prakash Javadekar said, "Calling BJP rats is abusive politics. They have taken democratic discourse to such a low and they have now distorted democracy and hurt democracy." 
 
Another BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Priyanka was Congress's only hope but they had wasted her by wheeling her out at a time when they were destined to lose. 
 
At a rally in Gorakhpur, Modi had said it took a 56-inch chest – like his – to convert UP into Gujarat. The swipe, largely aimed at Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, was picked up by Priyanka on Sunday and used to Congress's advantage. Referring to the use of brute force, Priyanka also made a quiet, but arched reference to the 2002 Godhra riots. 
 
Priyanka called India a country of Mahatma Gandhi, where tribals and dalits had also laid their lives for the nation's unity. She said it was this culture of unity that she had inherited. "This is the blood that flows through my veins," she said. Repeatedly telling people, as she has over her campaign trails, to protect and preserve the culture of unity in India, Priyanka warned people of the divisive forces at work, out to spread hate and divide people on the lines of caste, religion and community. 
 
She said, "Vote for development, but also think about strengthening this country. Don't limit your vision, think of your sisters, the youth. What kind of country do you want? This is a country that believes in mutual coexistence, it needs a government that will keep them together." 
 
Building the momentum of the electoral campaign ahead of April 30 polls in Sonia's constituency, Priyanka urged people to vote for the Congress. Telling people about the drastic improvements that Sonia had brought to Rae Bareli, Priyanka said, "People have the power to lead political parties on the right path. Rahul and Sonia's politics is about empowering your hands. Everyone in my family, from Jawaharlal Nehru downwards, knew we are nothing without the support of the people. You make us. You matter. Nothing else is of any consequence."

BJP Scrambling Like Panic-Stricken Rats: Priyanka Gandhi

NEW DELHI: In perhaps the strongest push yet for bringing <keyword id="12587" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Priyanka-Gandhi">Priyanka Gandhi</keyword> to the forefront of the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword>, senior party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi has said that <keyword id="12596" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rajiv-Gandhi">Rajiv Gandhi</keyword> spoke to him about his daughter's political aptitude way back in 1990. 
 
While promising to reveal details in due course, Dwivedi said, "As far as I know, her (Priyanka) interest in politics started at an early age. She was keen to understand political developments and the language of politics from the very start. I even have proof of this but I don't want to discuss it now. All I'll say is that Rajiv Gandhi told me something about this in 1990. That's all for the moment." 
 
While there was complete silence from the party, the comment immediately led a group of Congress leaders to claim, off the record, that there were plans afoot to bring Priyanka into active politics. 
 
The renewed speculation could unsettle the Congress since any talk of Priyanka's coming into politics undercuts Rahul's fledgling leadership. Dwivedi is seen to be representing a significant group in the top and middle rungs of the party management who would prefer 42-year-old Priyanka as political legatee of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty in place of her one-year-older brother. 
 His remarks are being seen in certain sections of the party as a vote of low-confidence in <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>, who is leading the Congress charge in a difficult national election. Rahul was elevated to the No 2 position in Congress last year but is still far from succeeding his mother <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword> at the top. In the past few weeks, the much-discussed transformation of Congress in Rahul's image — the emergence of a Congress (R), as it were — appears to be have been put on hold as the party's primary focus has shifted to avoiding its lowest-ever tally (114 seats in 1999). 
 
 
 A section of the party has for some time been pushing for a larger role for Priyanka. But she has confined herself to managing the family fief of <keyword id="43068" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rae-Bareli">Rae Bareli</keyword> and Amethi since her mother came into electoral politics in 1999; of late, though, she has been active in the planning of her brother's political affairs. 
 
The invocation of Rajiv Gandhi's name by Dwivedi is being seen as significant. If the former PM did reveal details about Priyanka's interest in politics dating back to as early as 1990, it would appear that it developed at a very young age; she would have been about 18 at the time. Party veterans recall at least one interview that Rajiv gave in the late 1980s where he seemed to suggest that his daughter had a greater interest in politics than his son did. 
 
Dwivedi has indirectly hinted that Rajiv did not speak about Rahul, raising the sensitive question as to whether the late leader had a different plan of succession in mind. 
 
Congress leaders are now waiting for a second instalment from Dwivedi: the details of what Rajiv reportedly told him. Party sources say it may come if Congress performs dismally in the elections, which would be an opportune time for insiders to raise questions about the leadership skills of Rahul Gandhi.

Bigger Role For Priyanka Gandhi? Congress Leader's Remarks Spark Buzz

Uncertainty looms large in the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword>. Since the Delhi election poll results, there are speculations over <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>’s disappearance from media headlines. Thundering TV anchors and newspaper editorials, having done enough investigation couldn’t trace the Gandhi scion. As per The Economic Times, senior leaders of the Congress party have expressed their uncertainty on Gandhi’s elevation to party presidentship and AICC special sessions which was speculated to be held the next month. 
 
"He may become Congress chief later in the year," a senior Congress functionary said. These leaders, on condition of anonymity, told ET that the party is most likely to put on hold its plans to organise the AICC session in April. 
 The senior leaders disagreed to the fact that the Rahul left in a huff or that there was a ‘new vs old guard fight’ in the party. A leader informed the financial daily that there’s no ‘friction’ between <keyword id="6358112" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sonia">Sonia</keyword> and Rahul and that the former knew her son would be aware about this for a while. 
 Some senior Congress leaders like <keyword id="43786" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Digvijay-Singh">Digvijay Singh</keyword> had said Sonia Gandhi was being "influenced by a few leaders" and that she was not always on the same page as her son on political matters. 
Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi have a final say on all political matters that they closely work together. One leader said a final decision on Gandhi's appointment will be taken by the Nehru-Gandhi family together. Since there is no leader of stature and mass base who can take on a Nehru-Gandhi, as the ET reports, no leaders in Congress would oppose Rahul Gandhi’s ascension. 
 
 
"There is no revolt within the party on this. And frankly who can revolt? The leaders objecting are hardly Sharad Pawar type mass leaders with potential to split the party," the Congress leader told the ET. 
 
He also said Rahul Gandhi's efforts to democratise Congress were being resisted by "a small section of the party that wants to continue with the feudal model," adding that this section isn't powerful enough to stop Rahul Gandhi from doing what he wants. 
 
(Image: Reuters)

Rahul
Gandhi’s disappearance act proves expensive, unlikely to be elevated to
Congress chief post this April

I am sure <keyword id="510747" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Seth-Rogen">Seth Rogen</keyword> would be forgiving toward my borrowing of this piece from his movie 'Pineapple Express', “If <keyword id="40905" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Marijuana">marijuana</keyword> is not made legal within the next five years I have no faith in humanity, period. Everyone likes smoking weed. They have, for thousands of years. They're not going to stop anytime soon. It makes everything better. Makes food taste better. Makes music better. It makes sex feel better, for God's sakes. It makes shitty movies better, you know?” 
 
While Mr Rogen might have said that in 2008, man's lineage to marijuana is over 5000 years old. 
 
The earth became proud parents when the dear 20th century was born. Racism fell from the high horses of grace. Sexism made an unsexy exit. Science and Technology became captains of the ship called 'future'. Bombs danced on the laps of political agendas, as the weaker nations were dressed to be depressed under the address of the sanction that geographical borderline disorders were indeed good for them. 
 
While Yellow Journalism, in the first half of the century, took the cake for manipulating people with its white lies about the concepts of drugs, people, and war, which eventually turned out to be black, was orchestrated mainly to contain the Hispanic migration crisis, chasten the quality of equality in the profound segments of race and gender, and increase the wealth and jurisdiction of the law-making and imposing establishments - it was indeed, a man called Harry J. Anslinger, the first and foremost commissioner to the newly constituted Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) in 1930, who was responsible for the criminalisation and the fate that marijuana is to made to live with, today. 
 
Backed by the Roosevelt administration, Mr Anslinger, the prophet who officially put marijuana behind the veil, joined hands with William Randolph Hearst, founder and owner of America's largest newspaper chain and an icon to American journalism, and went on a serial detonation spree of 'marihuana' (the aboriginal Mexican-Spanish attestation) like an atomic bomb in the vast networks of Hearst's newspapers proclaiming the “evils” of the “herbal demon” without a rhyme or a reason essentially linking its fame and notoriety to scapegoat the racial, ethnic, and social minorities. 
 
“Marihuana influenced negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men’s shadows, and look at a white woman twice.” - A Hearst Newspaper in 1935. 
 
“Makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.” - Harry J Anslinger. 
 
“Negro entertainers with their jazz and swing music are declared an outgrowth of marihuana use which possesses white women to tap their feet.” - Harry J Anslinger 
 In March 1961, under the administration of John F. Kennedy, <keyword id="2885066" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Harry-J-Asnlinger">Harry J. Asnlinger</keyword> led the successful formation of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, an international treaty that codifies all existing treaties on drug control, including the cultivation of plants that were grown or caused to be part of raw material that came under the umbrella of narcotic drugs. Once signed, this convention also limits the manufacture, production, possession, use, trade, distribution, import and export of narcotic drugs, save for medical and scientific pursuits. 
 <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, under the tenure of Jawaharlal Nehru, the nation's first prime minister, to honour its obligations with the Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, signed the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 30 March, 1961. And on 13 December, 1964 the treaty was ratified. However, international treaties or conventions were not going to clip the wings of India's holistic connection with marijuana. Just not yet. 
 When <keyword id="191987" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ronald-Reagan">Ronald Reagan</keyword> became the 40th US president, his administration began twisting the arm of <keyword id="12596" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rajiv-Gandhi">Rajiv Gandhi</keyword> to make marijuana illegal in India. Consequentially, in 1985, India established the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). Before this act, India could and was able to practically dance in the open about its consumption or sale of marijuana. 
 54 years before we had successfully negotiated with and had finally managed to ask the British to leave us their alphabet and take their letters and go back to where they came from, they were pretty impressed with our deep-rooted weed economics. So in 1893, the British appointed a joint study called '<keyword id="2885065" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indian-Hemp-Drugs-Commission">Indian Hemp Drugs Commission</keyword>' concerning the growth, manufacture, consumption, and social-cultural impacts from the intake of marijuana in any form. 
 
One year later, the conclusion set on top of a 3,281 page report, along with the testimony from almost 1,200 people belonging to diverse cultures, ethnicities, professions, builds, and mindset was - “moderate use of hemp drugs was practically attended by no evil results at all. The intake produces no injuries on the mind and there is no moral injury whatsoever.” 
 
Now, this is how it works. Weed is not our family member. It is an outside guest. Let's call this guest Mary Jane for now. This guest can make or break our mood. Depending on how beautiful and powerful this guest is and how organised we are. 
 
The power or the camaraderie of the guest is determined by the active agent called THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) that is present in the DNA of any self-respecting weed. The percentage of THC present in weed will ascertain the potency of the weed. The THC content in the weed available in India is between 3% and 35%, depending on the atmospheric conditions and locale of its genesis and growth. Synthetic or hybrid ones are set to contain up to 50% - 80% THC. 
 
Mary Jane can make us feel different emotions based on where she touches us in the brain. 
 
Our brains have neurotransmitters and receptors. The former sends messages. The latter receives them. Accordingly delegations are made to execute the desired movement or action. Now, if Mary Jane strikes us in the Amygdala, the receptor that regulates fear and anxiety, we are going to be scared or paranoid for something. If Mary Jane flirts with our Hypothalamus, receptors that regulate sexual behaviour and appetite, we will experience an increase in the appetite and feel aroused beyond our regular frame. And when Mary Jane caresses our spinal cord that is responsible for the transmission of information between body and brain, we will experience our pain sensitivities being altered – one of the reasons why marijuana is used as a pain suppressant or stress reliever. 
 
We primarily have nine distinguished cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Very rarely weed strikes more than three receptors at the same time. 
 
The 10th Receptor Strikes the masses. Rocks the social network. Critiques the critics. Impresses his suits with his own branding – <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>, a powerful friend to the microphones and warden of cutting-edge speeches about hope and development. On June 1, 2015, when speaking to the United News of India, Mr Modi remarked that our religious freedom is a constitutional right and is “non-negotiable”. He further vouches, “We stand for every one of the 1.25 billion Indians regardless of caste or creed and we will work for the progress of every one of them.” 
 
Speaking of constitutional rights, Mr Modi, would it be possible to scooch in a ganja right? The right to smoke weed without inhibitions? Peter Tosh will be happy to be reincarnated just to come down and sing to you: 
Legalize it 
Don't criticize it 
Legalize it, yeah, yeah, 
And I will advertise it. 
 
P.S. Even <keyword id="35763" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bob-Marley">Bob Marley</keyword> wouldn't mind giving you his rendition. All you have to do is just say the words Mr Modi. 
 
Marijuana is an adorable little teddy bear. It stands to make you sit with warmth and fuzz. It is not a bat out of hell cheetah like cocaine. Nor is it ugly and smutty like meth or heroin. 
 
Being from a right wing party, we are sure an empathy can be made about the tradition, association and fact that we as a nation is attached to weed like a a mother is to her child, through the umbilical cord. The cord may be cut. But the bond will remain. It's a sacred bond. Do you think you could help us secure that bond, Mr Modi? 
 
Expectations kill. So does smoking marijuana, right? That's what men with guns and tear gas make us believe every time we step forward with a petition on our tongue. So anyway, I think we will just pray for now that you help us secure the treaty to our freedom to bask in the glory of cloud nine. 
 
 
(Image courtesy:

What if Narendra Modi was pro marijuana! Ever imagined?

A massive Diwali-Dussehra celebration festival showcasing the best of Indian culture, heritage, and values in an unparalleled manner has attracted a record-breaking crowd of more than 10,000 persons from all walks of life and ethnicities here in <keyword id="15710" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="texas" source="Orion">Texas</keyword>. The 11th Grand International Diwali-Dussehra Festival, depicting the "victory of good over evil", at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, a Greater <keyword id="100821" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="houston" source="Orion">Houston</keyword> suburb, was attended by several dignitaries, including US congressmen, judges, mayors, and commissioners on Saturday. Organised by the Shri Sita Ram Foundation (SSRF), a non-profit organisation, the epic celebration from 2012 onwards has grown tremendously over the years and continues to attract more attendees across Texas and other states every year. The foundation finds innovative and unique ways to share Indian Vedic culture and values. Last year it initiated efforts to highlight Diwali's message of "Good Over Evil" by involving consul generals of 15 countries in the Dussehra parade. This year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent in a video message, with Houston Mayor <keyword id="3691420" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sylvester-turner" source="Orion">Sylvester Turner</keyword> being the Grand Marshal along with consul generals of several countries joining for the Dussehra parade. The football stadium was brilliantly transformed and decorated with millions of dazzling multi-coloured lights, lit-up main entrance gates, and colourful silk-draped vendor booths. The ceilings and walls of the concourse and field were decorated with traditional banners, flags, hangings, and pictures of several deities. The vendor booths did a brisk business in selling traditional Diwali items, including Diwali diyas, jewellery, fashion clothing, and toys. A "food bazaar" served vegetarian food from every part of <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>. This festival had special attractions for children like henna booths, face painting, balloons, moonwalks, merry-go-rounds, a petting zoo, horse buggy rides, clowns, etc. Performances like folk dances, martial arts of India, and kids in costumes of the characters from the scriptures were presented on a two-tiered 60 ft. by 40 ft. stage, with professionally installed stage lights, special effects, and huge LED screens adding a wow factor for the audience. A 24-foot-tall figure of lord Hanuman and a 35-foot-tall figure of Lord Ram was installed next to the stage. A play in English depicting the life of lord Rama and his final battle to overcome evil kept the audience glued to their seats till the end, earning a standing ovation. Arun Verma, president of SSRF, said: "India is a country of festivals and Diwali being the biggest of all festivals, we try to introduce, educate, promote and showcase the rich vibrant culture and moral value to the Indian diaspora and all Americans, while celebrating the 'Victory of Good over Evil' and 'Universal Brotherhood'." "We bring the best of the best and do it on a grand scale. You name it, and we have it over here." The festival is "open to anybody" as it also includes aspects of American culture, according to Verma. "Our belief is that the entire world is one big family and we need to treat everybody like a brother and a sister. To demonstrate that, we have invited every one of them," he said. "Looking at the overwhelming response this year and the record crowd, we may have to take this festival to an even bigger location than this football field with the capacity of 10,000 spectators" as we had to stop people from entering after it crossed the maximum capacity due to city restraints, he told PTI. The Sugar Land festival, which Verma said is the biggest of its kind in Texas, combines the two Hindu holidays of Diwali and Dussehra. The festival featured a unique multi-coloured magnificent parade with 40 floats by local temples and community organisations representing scenes, stories, and characters from Indian scriptures. Mayor <keyword id="169084" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="turner" source="Orion">Turner</keyword>, who was the Grand Marshal, lead the parade alongside the Consul General of India in Houston, Aseem Mahajan, the Consulate General of France in Houston, Valerie Baraba, Indian American Fort Bend County Judge, K P George, as well as several representatives of the Texas Congressmen and other official dignitaries. The parade included representatives of the nearly 100 consul generals in Houston who represent several foreign countries. Valerie Baraban said in a tweet that she was "thrilled to participate in the Grand 11th International Diwali-Dussehra festival alongside Mayor Sylvester Turner, CG Mahajan, and other members of the consular corps. India is one of France's major partners in the Indo-pacific region". This year's festival also celebrated the 75th anniversary of India's independence "Amrit Mahotsav". Fifteen major freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhash Chander Bose were honoured by carrying 75 Indian flags during the parade. "The entire Houston Consular Corp. joined the celebrations in the true spirit of Vasudeva Kumtumbkam, thus treating the entire world as a big family. This was depicted in the parade by 100 volunteers carrying 100 national flags of the entire Houston Consular Corp," Verma said. As November elections are around the corner, a few political candidates like Beto O'Rourke, who is running for Texas Governor position, found the stage to greet Indian Americans. Wishing everyone Diwali, he said, adding that "we celebrate this festival of lights to push out darkness and celebrate the triumph of good over evil", with each of us having a chance to "make sure we are heard in this great democracy". The Ravan Dahan, the burning of a 25-foot-tall effigy of Ravan, Kumbhakaran, and Meghnath, was held amongst the loud sound of crackers and spectacular fireworks to celebrate the occasion of the "Victory of Good Over Evil". SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/pvr-reports-net-loss-of-71-23-crore-in-q2-attributes-it-to-bollywood-hollywood-flops/articleshow/94917917.cms">PVR reports net loss of ₹71.23 crore in Q2, attributes it to Bollywood, Hollywood flops</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/arunachal-pradeshs-eagle-sanctuary-has-woodpeckers-flycatchers-and-more-but-no-eagles/articleshow/94916258.cms">Arunachal Pradesh's eagle sanctuary has woodpeckers, flycatchers and more - but no eagles</a>

With veg food stalls and henna booths, Houston's Dusshera-Diwali festival attracts 10,000 people

Rahul Gandhi created a history of sorts on Thursday. He lost the Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, which no Congress leader ever did since 1980. In fact, death took two of its MPs- Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi away from this seat. It was then taken over by Sonia Gandhi who later had her son and her ‘heir apparent’ to take over. That proved to be a fatal mistake, this election. However, it should be mentioned that Rahul had won from this constituency thrice since 2004. Irani won, albeit with a margin of over 55,000 votes with Rahul emerging as the runner-up. Congress grip loosens <keyword id="6612" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Smriti-Irani">Smriti Irani</keyword> a former model, actress and union HRD minister achieved something only one person ever did---a non-Congress candidate who won from the seat. It has been with the party since 1967, ever since it was created. Only Rajendra Pratap Singh of Janata Party had it post-emergency between 1977-80. Irani might have gained from the Modi wave in the state and exasperation of the public against the Gandhi family who has been showing up only for elections. In fact, this time around Rahul who has been busy campaigning across the country, never even bothered to show up at his constituency. He sent his sister, Priyanka Gandhi to take up the mantle. Priyanka was welcomed with posters asking on her brother’s no-show. And, she too was criticized for showing up once in every five years. The tide has turned Irani who garnered a margin 49.7% votes, had countered a lack of Gandhi disinterest, with spirited campaigning. She had reached out to people, spoke to them, challenged dynasty politics and asked why Rahul was missing at the constituency for 15 years. When Rahul sensed the turning tide, he decided to contest from Waynad when she accused him of “running”. The stage for this victory was set in 2014 itself when BJP fielded Irani against Gandhi. Until then, few parties ever bothered to field their best candidates which includes regional parties like Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP). BJP refused to back down on this Congress stronghold which brought on this victory today. Last elections too, she managed to reduce Rahul’s margin who won only by a lakh votes. The firebrand Irani is a well-known face across the country, thanks to being a lead star in a soap opera which ran for over 15 years, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (Every mother-in-law was once was a daughter-in-law) She had played a soft spoken and hence an ideal wife in the hit TV series. But she blossomed to become one of the most outspoken of ministers in Modi’s cabinet which is not actually known for diplomatic people. She had come down on people in favour of Narendra Modi, the prime minister. Her speeches ranged from angry to emotional to exasperation; taking her leader’s word to media channels across issues. She<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PlGs8NCMWE"> defended her government</a> for charging Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students with sedition law, saying they have been engaged in “unlawful activities”. She was<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8iqdNm3egk"> moved by the suicide</a> of a dalit student Rohith Vemula led to riots; and blamed the political forces; blaming people for “using his (Rohith’s) body as a political tool”. Irani has in fact been called ‘Modi’s Sushma’ after she comfortably took up the mantle as veteran BJP politician Sushma Swaraj moved away from active politics. However, it is interesting to note that Irani who is mentored by late union telecom minister Pramod Mahajan never started as a Modi fan. In fact, she had blamed Modi for BJP’s<a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/smriti-irani-drama-slams-modi-first-withdraws-statement-hours-later/267055"> loss in 2004</a>, and said that it is unethical of him to stay on in power after the Gujarat riots. Just like Modi, she made a comeback, and that too to a historic success.

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With veg food stalls and henna booths, Houston's Dusshera-Diwali festival attracts 10,000 people

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