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The Railway Board on Wednesday said it has arranged for more than 500 special trains to handle the return rush of travellers away in their home towns, beginning November 8 with the ending of Chhath Puja. "Special trains have been announced to accommodate returning passengers, with additional trains planned from the Samastipur, Danapur divisions and other divisions as needed to meet local demand," the Board said in a press statement. It said that the rush for Chhath Puja is set to begin after sunrise on November 8 and that it has arranged for 164 special trains to accommodate the high passenger flow on that day. "Following this, Indian Railways has planned 160 special trains for November 9, 161 for November 10, and 155 for November 11, ensuring sufficient capacity to manage the expected surge in travelers during the festive period," it added. According to the Railway Board, on November 4, Indian Railways carried a record number of passengers in a single-day, transporting 120.72 lakh people. "This included 19.43 lakh reserved passengers and 101.29 lakh unreserved non-suburban passengers -- the number exceeding the combined populations of Australia and New Zealand. On the same day, suburban traffic reached a record 180 lakh passengers, making it the highest single-day passenger figure of the year," the Board said. It also claimed to achieve a remarkable feat by transporting 65 lakh passengers on 4,521 special trains in last 36 days. "These additional services have played a crucial role in facilitating smooth travel during the ongoing Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja celebrations," it said. According to the Board, to meet the increased travel demand during the festival period from October 1 to November 30, Indian Railways announced a total of 7,724 special trains, marking a 73 per cent increase compared to the last year's 4,429. "This substantial expansion aims to ensure seamless travel during the peak festival season. Indian Railways has operated an average of 175 special trains per day over the past four days to carry passengers to their destinations for Chhath Puja," the Board said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/skoda-kylaq-suv-launched-in-india-starting-at-7-89-lakh/articleshow/115013668.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/skoda-kylaq-suv-launched-in-india-starting-at-7-89-lakh/articleshow/115013668.cms" target="_blank">Skoda Kylaq SUV launched in India starting at ₹7.89 lakh</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/swiggy-ipo-gmp-risk-factors-and-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/115004939.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/swiggy-ipo-gmp-risk-factors-and-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/115004939.cms" target="_blank">Swiggy IPO – GMP, risk factors and all you need to know</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-gt-7-pro-with-snapdragon-8-elite-6500mah-battery-to-launch-in-india-on-november-26/articleshow/114945858.cms" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-ipo-indias-biggest-telco-to-go-public-in-2025-retail-ipo-further-away/articleshow/114944496.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-ipo-indias-biggest-telco-to-go-public-in-2025-retail-ipo-further-away/articleshow/114944496.cms" target="_blank">Reliance Jio IPO – India’s biggest telco to go public in 2025, retail IPO further away</a>

Railways to ply over 500 special trains to accommodate festival return rush

The <keyword id="19909154" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Railways">Indian Railways</keyword> is going to run 164 <keyword id="19958867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="special-trains" source="keywords">special trains</keyword> on Wednesday to make sure that people are going to reach their destinations on time during this <keyword id="19894908" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="festive-season" source="keywords">festive season</keyword> of <keyword id="23676986" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chhath" source="keywords">Chhath</keyword> and <keyword id="19940291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali" source="keywords">Diwali</keyword>. According to the <keyword id="19987854" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Railway-Board" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Railway Board" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Railway Board">Railway Board</keyword>'s Information and Publicity Executive Director, Dilip Kumar, the trains will travel from all across the country, such as from Secundrabad, Ahmedabad, Kottamyam, Ujjain, Bhopal, New Delhi, and Nagpur to <keyword id="19903647" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar" source="keywords">Bihar</keyword> and <keyword id="19894922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh" source="keywords">Uttar Pradesh</keyword>. "To ensure that people reach their destination on Chhath and Diwali, Railway has made elaborate arrangements. In this regard, on 30th October we are running 164 special trains. These trains will be run from various locations across the country to cities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh," he told ANI. The Indian Railway is set to make an additional 7,000 trips across the country with these extra trains. "To ensure that passengers do not face any inconvenience at the railway stations, teams of officers have been deployed round the clock. Besides this, Railway Police Force, commercial, and other SHGs have also been deployed for passenger convenience," he added. For certain areas where the railways expect overcrowding, additional seating arrangements and resting places have been arranged for passengers. As it is, the Western Railway has put in place temporary restrictions on the sale of platform tickets at select major stations, which will be in effect till November 8. "We have set up holding areas at important stations where there is the possibility of overcrowding. At these holding areas, arrangements for seating and resting of passengers have been made. The idea is to make sure that there is not much crowding at the stations and people can easily get to their destinations. Indian Railways is making all the possible efforts to ensure a smooth and happy journey to passengers," Kumar added. Even Eastern railway is running more trains this year (50), as compared to last year, when the number stood at 33, along with 400 extra services. To cater to the Diwali rush, four special trips of the Vande Bharat Express have also been added. The trains, numbered 02252(New Delhi to Patna) and 02251 (Patna to New Delhi) will have 8 coaches and will make a pitstop at key stations between the two cities like Kanpur, Prayagraj, Buxar, and Ara. The train will depart from New Delhi on October 30, November 1, November 3, and November 6, and will leave from Patna on October 31, November 2, November 4, and November 7. Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in India and around the world, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. On Sunday morning, 9 people were injured in a stampede during the rush to board the Bandra-Gorakhpur Express at the Bandra Terminus in Mumbai. Following the incident, Western Railways warned passengers of a penalty, should they be found carrying luggage beyond the permissible limits. Items such as scooters, bicycles, and things exceeding the dimensions of 100 cm x 100 cm x 70 cm will not qualify for free luggage.

Indian Railways plans 7,000 additional journeys with 164 special trains during festive season

<ul><li><keyword id="10293880" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tata-tea-leaf" source="Orion">Tata Tea Leaf</keyword> has launched a special <keyword id="60705" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="chhath-puja" source="Orion">Chhath puja</keyword> pack and has also associated with Bejod, OTT platform of Champaran Talkies for the Chhath puja 2021 video song. </li><li>The Chhath Puja song for 2021 by Bejod is built on the concept of ‘Chhath from Home’ keeping in mind the current pandemic situation.</li></ul> Tata Tea Leaf revels in the spirit of <keyword id="30033" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="bihar" source="Orion">Bihar</keyword> and <keyword id="6360371" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jharkhand" source="Orion">Jharkhand</keyword>’s most popular festival- The Chhath Puja, with an integrated campaign to evoke regional pride. As part of the campaign, Tata Tea Leaf launched a special Chhath puja pack and has also associated with Bejod, OTT platform of Champaran Talkies for the Chhath puja 2021 video song. <div type="Youtube" id="JEMSUqcRn_U" title="Chhath Geet 2021 | छठ गीत 2021 Vol.06 Bejod | NITU CHANDRA SRIVASTAVA | NITIN NEERA CHANDRA" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JEMSUqcRn_U/mqdefault.jpg"></div> The brand takes immense pride in showcasing and celebrating the rich culture and heritage of Bihar and Jharkhand. As a chai specifically made for Bihar and Jharkhand, Tata Tea Leaf understands the regional nuances and has developed a campaign to celebrate the much high-spirited festival which comes with all its grandness and vibrancy, Chhath Puja. The special Chhath Puja pack highlights the elements of the festival and brings alive its true essence. The yellow colour pack radiates with the festive images and truly reflects the emotions attached with Chhath Puja. The pack has been designed keeping in mind the small details associated with the festival to evoke a sense of pride among the people of Bihar and Jharkhand. To make the celebration grander, the brand has associated with Bejod second time for the Chhath Puja Video. The Chhath Puja song for 2021 by Bejod is built on the concept of ‘Chhath from Home’ keeping in mind the current pandemic situation. <keyword id="5414634" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="puneet-das" source="Orion">Puneet Das</keyword>, President, Packaged Beverages, TATA Consumer Products, said, “Chhath Puja is the biggest and most renowned festival celebrated across Bihar and Jharkhand. Tata Tea Leaf celebrates the festive spirit associated during this time with traditional elements associated with the festival. The special <keyword id="12488558" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata-tea-leaf-chhath-puja" source="Orion">Tata Tea Leaf Chhath Puja</keyword> pack brings alive the true spirit of the festival. Our association with Bejod for Chhath Puja is a one of its kind initiative to connect with the consumer by being part of the festivity. TATA Tea Leaf’s Chhath Puja campaign aims to foster the festive feel over a cup of tea, that is made specially for people of that region while celebrating with the entire family.” Credits: · Production house - Bejod, OTT platform of Champaran Talkies · Director &amp; Editor: Nitin Neera Chandra · Producer: Neetu N Chandra, Nitin Neera Chandra

Tata Tea Leaf launches a new video and pack before Chhath puja

<keyword id="60705" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chhath-Puja">Chhath Puja</keyword> is performed for four days, starting from the fourth day (Chaturthi) and concluding on the seventh day (Saptami) of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in the month of Karthika (November – December). During this four-day puja, devotees observe fasting and worship the sun god. Chhath puja is famous and celebrated mainly in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and some parts of Nepal. The other names of Chhath puja are Pratihar, Dala Chhath, Chhathi, and Surya Shashthi. Date and timing of <keyword id="9490986" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="chhath-puja-2020">Chhath puja 2020</keyword> In 2020, Chhath puja will start on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. The conclusion of Chhath puja will happen on Saturday, November 21, 2020. Sunrise and sunset timings are very important during the four-day-long Chhath puja. The sunrise and sunset timings on these four days will be as follows: November 18, 2020: Sunrise at 6:46 am and sunset at 5:26 pm. November 19, 2020: Sunrise at 6:47 am and sunset at 5:26 pm. November 20, 2020: Sunrise at 6:48 am and sunset at 5:26 pm. November 21, 2020: Sunrise at 6:49 am and sunset at 5:25 pm. Chhath Puja vidhi - rituals done during these four days Day One The first day of Chhath puja is called Nahay Khay and will be observed on November 18, 2020. On this day, the tradition consists of cleaning the house and a ritual bath. The family prepares a special meal and partakes it together. This is the only meal of the day, and the devotees break the fast only the next day after offering prayers to the rising sun. Day Two On the second day of Chhath puja, the ritual called Kharna consists of a day-long fast concluding in the evening after sun worship during the sunset. During this fast, the devotees do not even drink water, and such a rigorous fast is known as Nirjala (without water). The special dish prepared for the puja is known as kheer. The prasad offered includes kheer, fruits, and thekua. Day Three The third day ritual for the Chhath puja is known as Sandhya Arghya and is the main day of this festival. On this day, the women observe a day-long fast and break it only the next day after sunrise. Day Four The fourth day ritual for the Chhath puja is called Usha Arghya, which means offering to the rising sun. On this day, people perform the puja during the sunrise time and then break their fast. This marks the completion of all the rituals for Chhath Puja.

Chhath Puja 2020: Date, time, puja vidhi, and everything you need to know

New Delhi, Nov 19 () Battling the surge in coronavirus cases in Delhi on a war-footing, the AAP government on Thursday announced sweeping measures including a steep Rs 2,000 fine for not wearing masks, reservation of 80 per cent ICU beds in private hospitals, doubling testing centres in every district and postponement of non-critical surgeries at health facilities. Private hospitals have also been directed to increase the percentage of non-ICU COVID-19 beds from 50 per cent to 60 per cent. The government will increase the number of RT-PCR test to 27,000 a day in the national capital and MBBS students and interns will be engaged to tackle the COVID-19 situation. Addressing an online media briefing, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the fine for not wearing masks has been raised from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000. The hard line by the AAP government comes days after Kejriwal repeatedly appealed to Delhiites to wear masks amid a surge in coronavirus cases. He announced the slew of measures after meeting Lt Governor Anil Baijal and apprising him about the decisions taken by <keyword id="3162571" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Aam-Aadmi-Party">the Aam Aadmi Party</keyword> government. He also appealed to political , social and religious organisations to distribute masks among people saying masks very much reduce the chances of coronavirus infection. Arrangements are being made for over 1,400 ICU beds, including 663 in Delhi government hospitals and 750 at a central government facility, Kejriwal said, adding around 7,500 normal and 446 ICU beds are currently available for COVID-19 patients in Delhi. "From today we have implemented the decision to reserve 80 percent ICU beds in all private hospitals for COVID-19 patients. It will increase ICU bed availability by 300-400 for coronavirus patients in Delhi hospitals." The percentage of normal, non-ICU beds reserved in private hospitals for corona patients, are being increased from 50 per cent to 60 per cent till the peak of the pandemic is there, he said. Hospitals have also been asked to postpone non-critical planned surgeries for the time being, he added. The national capital has witnessed a spurt in coronavirus cases since October 28, when the daily rise breached the 5,000-mark for the first time, and it crossed the 8,000-mark on November 11. On Wednesday, the infection tally in Delhi rose to over 5 lakh with 7,486 fresh cases reported, while 131 new fatalities, the highest single-day death count till date, took the toll to 7,943. According to Kejriwal, he received assurance of cooperation from various political parties at an all-party meeting on the COVID-19 situation in Delhi. He said that he urged them to distribute face masks to save people from the infection. After the meeting, ruling AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the Delhi government will increase the number of <keyword id="3652596" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="RTPCR">RTPCR</keyword> tests conducted daily from around 18,000 to 27,000 and the chief minister will also meet market associations if any decision is taken on shutting down markets. Bharadwaj said he suggested that market associations should be given a chance to present their views and take precautionary measures to check the spread of the virus. Kejriwal also appealed to the people not to celebrate Chhath puja at ponds and other water bodies, saying it could cause a widespread infection. "Even if one COVID-19 infected person enters the water during Chhath Puja, all others might get infected by the virus," he said, adding his government is being forced to restrict Chhath Puja celebrations at river banks, ponds and other public places due to the threat of the infection. Lauded doctors and government employees for COVID-19 management in Delhi, he said, "I want to thank all the doctors and employees of the government for their hard work and a well thought out COVID-19 management that was seen not even in advanced countries and big cities." There were reports and videos of COVID-19 patients lying outside hospitals due to unavailability of beds in New York, Sweden, France and Italy. However, our doctors and medical staff did a remarkabale work even as number of cases reached upto 8500 last week, he said. "We need to boost the morale of our doctors and nurses and pat them on their backs for their commendable service." Meanwhile, the Delhi government directed all district magistrates to take steps to double the number of testing centres in their respective districts immediately. The order issued by the Delhi health department also said that manpower required for the new testing centres "may be hired from open market, if required". It has been observed that the number of COVID-19 cases are increasing in Delhi and "to ensure early detection and subsequent isolation of the COVID-19 infected patients, it is felt necessary to enhance the COVID-19 testing capacity", the order said. Authorities in the city have allowed all coronavirus facilities of the government here to engage MBBS students in fourth and fifth years, interns and others to assist doctors on duty at a fixed honorarium. Meanwhile, the number of available ICU beds equipped with ventilators is shrinking fast at several hospitals here, with zero vacancy at nearly 60 facilities. According to the online Corona dashboard of the Delhi government at 12:30 pm on Thursday, only 131 COVID-19 ICU beds were available out of 1,362 such beds at various facilities here. There was no vacancy at <keyword id="1093121" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajiv-Gandhi-Super-Speciality-hospital">Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital</keyword> (<keyword id="9195256" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="RGSSH">RGSSH</keyword>), Max hospital's facilities at Saket, Patparganj and Shalimar Bagh, Batra hospital, Fortis hospital's facilities at Shalimar Bagh and Vasant Kunj and Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, and Venkateshwara Hospital in Dwarka, among others, as per the data. The RGSSH, a dedicated coronavirus facility under the Delhi government, has 200 ICU beds with ventilators, all occupied, while at <keyword id="9269627" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-lnjp-hospital">the LNJP Hospital</keyword>, another dedicated facility, only seven such beds were available out of 200 at 12:30 pm. On Wednesday, the Centre said that the Railways will be providing coaches with 800 beds. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday reverted to the earlier cap of 50 guests at marriage functions instead of 200 allowed through its October 31 order.

80% ICU beds in all private hospitals for COVID-19 patients in Delhi

Bengaluru, The South Western Railway (SWR) zone would operate 22 special trains to and from Karnataka from October 23-27 to ferry passengers for Dasara, Diwali and Chhath puja, an official said on Wednesday. "The 22 special trains or 11 pairs are part of 392 (196 pairs) to be run across the country from October 20 to December 3 for Dasara, Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals to enable people travel to their native place or where they want to celebrate with families and friends," a zonal official told IANS here. With regular service suspended since the Covid-induced lockdown on March 25 to contain the virus spread, thousands of people have been unable to travel in the absence of passenger trains across the country. Among the special trains are: Weekly superfast express from Yesvantpur in Bengaluru to Korba in Chhattisgarh from October 23 to November 27 on Friday and from Korba to Yesvantpur from October 25 to November 29 on Sunday. Bi-weekly express from Mysuru to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from October 20 to November 26 on Tuesday and Thursday and from Varanasi to Mysuru from October 22 to November 28 on Thursday and Saturday. Weekly express from Yesvantpur to Ahmedabad in Gujarat from October 25 to November 29 on Sunday and from Ahmedabad to Yesvantpur from October 27 to December 1 on Tuesday. Weekly express from Bengaluru City to Gandhidham in Gujarat from October 24 to November 28 on Saturday and from Gandhidham to Bengaluru City from October 27 to December 1 on Tuesday. Daily express from Hubballi to Lokmanya Tilak terminus in Mumbai from October 22 to November 30 and from Mumbai to Hubballi from October 23 to December 1. Daily express from Dharwad to Mysuru from October 20 to November 30 and from Mysuru to Dharwad from October 21 to December 1. Weekly superfast express from Vasco-Da-Gama in Goa to Patna in Bihar from October 21 to November 25 on Wednesday and from Patna to Vasco from October 24 to December 3 on Saturday. Bi-weekly express from Bengaluru city to Jodhpur in Rajasthan from October 24 to December 3 on Thursday and Saturday and from Jodhpur to Bengaluru from October 21 to November 30 on Monday and Wednesday. Daily express from Hubballi to Secunderabad from October 20 to November 30 and from Secunderabad to Hubballi from October 21 to December 1. Bi-weekly express from Mysuru to Ajmer in Rajasthan from October 20 to November 26 on Tuesday and Thursday and from Ajmer to Mysuru from October 23 to November 29 on Friday and Sunday. Weekly express from Hubballi to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from October 23 to November 27 on Friday and from Varanasi to Hubballi from October 25 to November 29 on Sunday. "Travel in all festival trains will be on reservation. Hand sanitisation, thermal screening, social distancing, wearing of face shield or mask by passengers and other health protocol will have to be followed," said the official in a statement. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/infosys-to-reinstate-wage-hikes-promotions-and-hiring-will-impact-margins-over-the-next-six-months/articleshow/78660576.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Infosys to reinstate wage hikes, promotions and hiring — will impact margins over the next six months</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/likhitha-infrastructure-shares-to-list-tomorrow-on-bse-and-nse/articleshow/78660431.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Likhitha Infrastructure trades at 13% grey market premium ahead of listing today </a>

South Western Railway to operate 22 festival trains to and from Karnataka

New Delhi [India], August 18 (ANI): The <keyword id="19921618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Confederation-of-All-India-Traders" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Confederation of All India Traders" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Confederation of All India Traders">Confederation of All India Traders</keyword> (CAIT) on Sunday anticipated a <keyword id="22830196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="festive-trade" source="keywords">festive trade</keyword> of over Rs 12,000 crore across the country during the <keyword id="21167659" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rakhi" source="keywords">Rakhi</keyword> festival. The trade body said that the markets are witnessing a massive rush for <keyword id="22828356" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rakhi-shopping" source="keywords">Rakhi shopping</keyword>, and people are very enthusiastic about the festival. It urged customers to celebrate the festival with Indian goods. Observing the demands for <keyword id="22830197" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indigenous-Rakhis" source="keywords">indigenous Rakhis</keyword>, the trade body stated that customers prefer indigenous Rakhis over <keyword id="22828357" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chinese-Rakhis" source="keywords">Chinese Rakhis</keyword> during this year's festive season. "For several years now, only indigenous Rakhis have been sold in the country, and this year too, there was neither demand for nor any presence of Chinese Rakhis in the market," the CAIT said in a note. Praveen Khandelwal, CAIT's National General Secretary and Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk stated that the business during the Rakhi festival will reach Rs 12,000 crore, compared to last year's trade of approximately Rs 10,000 crore. In 2022, the business was around Rs 7,000 crore, in 2021 it was Rs 6,000 crore, in 2020 it was Rs 5,000 crore, in 2019 it was Rs 3,500 crore, and in 2018 it was Rs 3,000 crore, as per Khandelwal. Khandelwal and CAIT's National President, B.C. Bhartia, mentioned that this year, a special feature of the Rakhis is that special types of Rakhis have been made from famous products of various cities across the country. According to the CAIT representatives, the customers are also demanding Khadi Rakhi made in Nagpur, Sanganeri Art Rakhi from Jaipur, Seed Rakhi from Pune, Woolen Rakhi from Satna in Madhya Pradesh, Bamboo Rakhi made from tribal items, Tea Leaf Rakhi from Assam, Jute Rakhi from Kolkata, Silk Rakhi from Mumbai, Date Rakhi from Kerala, Pearl Rakhi from Kanpur, Madhuband Maithili Art Rakhi from Bihar, Soft Stone Rakhi from Pondicherry, Flower Rakhi from Bangalore, and more. There is also high demand for Rakhis that display national pride, such as Tricolor Rakhi, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Rakhi, Bharat Mata Rakhi, as per the CAIT representatives. They added that the designer Rakhis and silver Rakhis are also selling well in the market. The CAIT representatives expected festive sales of over 4 lakh crore due to the extended period of the festival this year which will be celebrated from August 19 to November 15 on the day of Tulsi Vivah. "This year's festive series will begin with <keyword id="6385850" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="raksha-bandhan" source="Orion">Raksha Bandhan</keyword> and continue through Janmashtami, the 10-day Ganesh Utsav, Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Karva Chauth, Dhanteras, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja, and other festivals, culminating with Tulsi Vivah. During this festive period, the business community across the country is fully prepared to meet consumer demands, and traders have stocked up adequately on all products," CAIT added.

Rakhi festive sales expected to surge over Rs 12,000 crore across country: Confederation of All India Traders

India’s social, religious and cultural lives are vibrant with festivals and celebrations all year round. Few countries on the earth celebrate as many festivals as India does. Especially, October and November are months abound with a long list of most important Hindu festivals. The two major celebrations observed in India around this time are Dussehra and Diwali. These two festivals in fact bring in a cluster of events surrounding them. Dussehra stretches over ten days and Diwali is celebrated for around five days. Most interestingly, these two festival themes have a huge following across all states and religious-cultural groups. Schools and colleges go on long holidays during these months to accommodate these celebrations. So, the cultural and religious lives of people get intensely busy over October and November. Here is the <keyword id="31693" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-festival" source="Orion">Indian festival</keyword> <keyword id="1508387" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="holiday-calendar" source="Orion">holiday calendar</keyword> for October and November 2023 for you to plan your activities and celebrations. Indian festival holiday calendar for October and November 2023 The two national events in these months are Gandhi Jayanti and Children’s Day. These two days see an array of public events sponsored by the government and NGOs in the country. Gandhi Jayanti also coincides with the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri. Navratri culminating with Dussehra is observed for around ten days. Starting on the next day of Amavasya, Navratri is dedicated to the worship of goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Most temples organize special pujas over these days. Dussehra fasting is a famous religious observance. Navratri is also celebrated as the victory of the divine forces over evil. Many South Indian homes arrange Kolu (a colorful and artistic arrangement of dolls) and stage several religious and cultural events during Navratri. Diwali attracts elders and children alike. Most people staying away from their families, choose to visit their kith and kin around this time to participate in Diwali celebrations. Diwali is one of the most representative elements of Indian culture in general and Hindu tradition in particular. It is also highly popular among the Jains and Sikhs. Counted among the most important festivals in India, Diwali is a colorful and delicious event. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffc000;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Date </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffc000;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Day </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffc000;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Festival / Holiday </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2 October 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Monday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Gandhi Jayanti and Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">15 October 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sunday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Shard Navratri </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">22 October 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sunday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Durga Puja Ashtami </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">23 October 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Monday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Maha Navami / Saraswati Puja \ Ayudh Puja </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">24 October 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tuesday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Vijay Dasami / Dussehra </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1 November 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Wednesday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Karwa Chauth </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5 November 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sunday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Ahoi Ashtami </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">10 November 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Friday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dhanteras </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">12 November 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sunday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Diwali / Narak Chaturdashi </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">14 November 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tuesday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Children’s Day, Bhai Dooj, Govardhan Puja </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">19 November 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sunday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chhath Puja </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">23 November 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Thursday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Devuthhana Ekadashi </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">24 November 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Friday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tulsi Vivah </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">26 November 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sunday </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dev Diwali </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> So, rejoice and gear up to celebrate all these festivals as per your family tradition. Festivals bring in abundant opportunities to socialize with family, friends and relatives. Festivals are the most effective stress busters that relax you and rejuvenate you. Make the most of October and November 2023 to get soaked in the most vibrant socio-cultural life of India.

Indian festival holiday calendar for October and November 2023 at a glance

Amazon India on Friday announced that its smart assistant Alexa that completed one year of its existence is now available on both Android and iOS smartphones in the country. The customers can now interact with Alexa in Hindi using the Alexa app on their mobile devices. "In an effort to make Alexa in Hindi more useful for customers, we have added over 60 new features in the past year. These include improvements such as asking Alexa to whisper, adjust how fast or slow she speaks, and new experiences such as asking Alexa for health-related information, Hindi definitions of words in English, Audible Suno and so on," Puneesh Kumar, Country Leader for Alexa, Amazon India, told IANS. Many users are also purchasing Amazon Echo devices for their parents as they are more comfortable to speak to the devices in Hindi. "We will continue to make Alexa interactions in Hindi even more seamless and conversational. It is still Day 1," Kumar added. Amazon has also added six new Alexa original songs and poems, along with 20 new stories in Hindi. Alexa now has a special message for all users in India. Just ask "Alexa, hamari dosti par poem sunao". Alexa can now understand 50 different ways to play a particular song in Hindi. The Alexa Speech Science team has used the latest advances in deep neural networks, multi-dialect training, and semi-supervised learning to reduce Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) errors by more than 40 per cent since the launch of Hindi last year. The company said that Alexa is now equipped with hundreds of new words from the Hindi vocabulary, and is also able to understand different ways in which customers can ask for the same information. "Users of the Alexa in Hindi have a unique taste in music. In addition to asking for Bollywood music, they are most likely to ask for devotional and spiritual songs. We also noticed increased requests for songs related to festive occasions such as Raksha Bandhan songs or Chhath Puja," Kumar told IANS. At the launch last year, Amazon had over 500 Hindi skills. Today, it has over 1,000 Hindi Skills, including Audible Suno, Ramayan Katha, Devotional Stories by Hungama, Shilpa Shetty Yoga, Jungle Safari, Kabir's Dohe, Rekhta, Hindi Jokes and so on. Alexa in Hindi can be experienced on the entire Amazon Echo range of smart speakers, Alexa built-in devices by other brands, the company said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/dailyhunt-app-founders-confirm-ipl-2020-associate-sponsorship/articleshow/78169667.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Dailyhunt founders confirm IPL 2020 associate sponsorship — promise new release for Josh ahead of India’s biggest cricket tournament</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/hcl-tech-enters-the-list-of-top-10-most-valued-companies-in-india/articleshow/78165311.cms">HCL Tech enters the list of top 10 most valued companies in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/first-intact-planet-found-circling-a-dead-star-this-jupiter-sized-anomaly-is-in-orbit-rather-than-being-pulled-apart-at-the-seams/articleshow/78166938.cms">First 'intact' planet found circling a dead star — this Jupiter-sized anomaly is in orbit rather than being pulled apart at the seams</a>

Amazon Alexa in Hindi comes to smartphones in India as it turns one

“I remember when we would boss around the people working in our fields. And look at me now. All these Punjabi ladies bossing me around, complaining about the rotis I make!” Kaushaliya Devi, a local of Mau Kasbah in <keyword id="6357713" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh">Uttar Pradesh</keyword>’s Chitrakoot district, is ranting about her new life – new only for the last 20 years. But there is something transient about migrating to a new place, a big city, from your village and kheti deep inside the innards of a country as vast as India – such that it makes people like Kaushaliya feel like she doesn’t completely belong. She is not alone. India, according to a report derived from a study by the International Organization for Migration, has the second highest number of adults in the midst of the migration cycle – that’s 3.5 million planning and 1.3 million preparing. Zoom in on Uttar Pradesh, home to the largest population in the country, and the numbers are mind-boggling. The 2011 Indian Census pegged U.P. as the state with the most out-migration (26.9 lakh) followed, not so closely, by <keyword id="30033" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar">Bihar</keyword> at 17.2 lakh. In <keyword id="6368366" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bundelkhand">Bundelkhand</keyword>, arguably among the most regressive swathes of land in U.P., migration is the norm with generations <keyword id="41744" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="UP">up</keyword>on generations of families opting for it in order to survive. “Peedhiyon se palayan” is a common, oft-heard phrase around these parts, especially in the post-Diwali season, with the winters in the offing when hordes of men and women make their way to the Manikpur railway station to catch trains to Delhi. The families of Bakta Bujurg village in the district of Chitrakoot for instance, often speak of “palayan” and “pardes”. Alpana Devi tells us that her husband Ramdeen left ten years ago, while Ramdeen who is visiting, speaks of the reasons, "Our options are to work on land owner's fields, for which we get Rs 150 a day. We can either eat or send our children to school; there is no way we can afford both." Ramdeen’s father too had migrated, “for the same reasons”. And decades later, he says, it’s still the same, “I don’t see any other or new options that have come up since the time my father worked to bring us up.” What about his children, we ask. "What about them?" Alpana responds, even as Ramdeen sums it up, "Yeh toh ab rivaaz hi ban gaya hai. (Migration has now become a tradition)," watching his 10-year-old son play. 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="Youtube" id="RtHbtc1fTEQ" title="पलायननामा: अपनों को तलाशती ये पथराई आंखे" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RtHbtc1fTEQ/mqdefault.jpg"></div>










 Migration as a socio-cultural-economic phenomenon in U.P. has been a steadily intensifying one. Between 2001 and 2011, over 5.8 million people between the ages of 20 and 29 migrated from the state in search of jobs, but the tragedy in this mass exodus lies not as much in the process of migration itself as in the outcome. The search for jobs and better opportunities pushes these migrants into the informal sector in cities like Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, sometimes Mumbai, where, due to low educational attainment, they are often forced to make-do with low-paying jobs. As a result of which, they are often relegated to settlements and clusters on the peripheries of the cities they’re in – entire families crammed in one room, sharing the common toilet with other families in neighbouring shanties. We visited Rajapur in Delhi, one such popular settlement for scores of migrating Bundelkhand families, primarily from Mau, in Chitrakoot – where men work as drivers and car cleaners, women as cooks and maids, and the children dream of reality shows as they head out to the local government school. Arjun had dreamt of working in the wholesale business, but didn’t make the cut for “any company”. He currently cleans cars for a living and is aiming to be a driver, next. Kaushaliya Devi who cooks for a family in south Delhi lists "gas chalana” as one of her biggest challenges initially, “I couldn’t figure out the knobs! Now I’m super-fast!” nagging women of the house continue to be the bane of her existence even though she adds, “I make tasty food. You know, these city people don’t really know to cook!” Chunki recalls her early days and relives the pangs of loss she felt in the moment she left Mau for Delhi. “Oh! I cried and I cried. I couldn’t understand this Delhi, and why I was here.” And Kumkum misses the buzz of festivals back home – “It’s just not the same here,” she smiles, wistfully. But Kumkum hides other darker tragedies in her personal story of migration – one that reflects on an entire state and its defunct rural health system. According to an Indiaspend study, U.P. spends Rs 452 per capita on health, which is, on an average, 70% less than the others. And there’re more dismal figures here. There are 84% fewer specialists than needed, 50% fewer nursing staff, and the lowest share of health workers (19.9%) in India, as per an analysis conducted by the Observer Research Foundation in February 2017. The fact that T.B. continues to be a silent killer in Bundelkhand – as is clear in our reporting in Gopra, Banda – is just one illustration of the abysmal state the system is in. And this too is one of the big reasons for migration – the underbelly of a peculiar kind of medical tourism. “My husband had T.B.”, says Kumkum, “His condition was not improving. So we came to Delhi for his treatment.” As the treatment began, Kumkum, her husband, and their four kids took up accommodation in Rajapur. The children got enrolled in sarkari schools and since “school admission is such a problem now”, the family decided to stay on in Delhi. Kumkum’s husband eventually got better and regained his strength, but Kumkum still dreams of her special Purnima puja back home when "all the ladies would get together" and bond over a ritual – one that morphed into a ritual of exodus. The greatest driver of the migration story of course remains and continues to be linked with livelihoods – the basic need to earn, eat, feed, fend for your loved ones – in short, survival. The celebrated MGNREGA policy, put into place by the UPA government, has not been the very picture of a success story. A recent Indiaspend study revealed the shocking fact on how wage payments under the MGNREGA scheme have been frozen at the Centre across 19 states, as of October 31, 2017. In U.P., these payments have been released and are pending since 11 September 2017, but that’s only official data. Add the Aadhaar card requirements and bank account linkages, and couple those with job cards-hoarding village headmen at the rural level, and there is a clearer picture of the sheer dystopia that a “poor-friendly” policy has become. In the meanwhile, the migration story is deeply linked with the story of the overall deterioration of the country's most populous state – something is more than rotten in U.P., and specifically Bundelkhand. The proportion of households able to get 100 days of work, for instance, makes for another mind-boggling statistic, having decreased from 6% in 2013-14 to 2.13% in 2016-17. Figures it would do the current Yogi <keyword id="6360744" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Adityanath">Adityanath</keyword> government good to do some stock-taking on. The “sabka saath sabka vikaas” mantra is failing deeply in a place like Kabrai, for instance – a stone-mining haven in Mahoba where machines have replaced manual labour, which has, in turn, resulted in an acute employment crisis. Rajpal, who tried his luck with contracting in Kabrai, is now heading to Jaipur, to become part of the brick-laying unskilled labour force needed to construct, more malls, possibly. We asked his wife Sunita about the big move and her response is tempered with something close to rage, “What else can we do? There is nothing here that gives us money. Pet paalna hai, toh jaana hi hai.” And unfortunately, that is exactly what the palayan narrative of Bundelkhand boils down to. Author: Pooja Pande is Senior Editorial Manager at <a href="http://khabarlahariya.org/" target="_blank">Khabar Lahariya</a>. Khabar Lahariya is a rural, video-first digital news organisation with an all-women network of reporters in eight districts of Uttar Pradesh. <a href="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-ZE468_1007MI_M_20131007001332.jpg" data-type="tilCustomLink">Image Source</a>

You Searched For "special trains for Chhath Puja" and got 10 results

Railways to ply over 500 special trains to accommodate festival return rush

PTI

Indian Railways plans 7,000 additional journeys with 164 special trains during festive season

BI India Bureau

Tata Tea Leaf launches a new video and pack before Chhath puja

BI India Partner

Chhath Puja 2020: Date, time, puja vidhi, and everything you need to know

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80% ICU beds in all private hospitals for COVID-19 patients in Delhi

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South Western Railway to operate 22 festival trains to and from Karnataka

IANS

Rakhi festive sales expected to surge over Rs 12,000 crore across country: Confederation of All India Traders

ANI

Indian festival holiday calendar for October and November 2023 at a glance

BI India Bureau

Amazon Alexa in Hindi comes to smartphones in India as it turns one

IANS

"The ghost town of Lalitpur: Uttar Pradesh witnesses a spike in the number of people migrating to cities"

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