Latest news with #Veda
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Tirupati Temples Board Draws Up Plans To Expand Global Footprint
Hyderabad: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has decided to expand the global footprint of reigning deity Lord Venkateswara by building Srivari temples in various countries. The decision -- marking a new chapter in the international outreach of Tirumala's spiritual legacy -- follows a directive from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. The TTD Trust Board chairperson BR Naidu said an expert committee has already submitted its report on the matter. The TTD will now form a dedicated sub-committee to thoroughly review it. At a board meeting held today at Annamayya Bhavan, other decisions were also taken to enhance pilgrim services and administrative efficiency. A committee of experts will be formed to study the feasibility of building a Vaikuntam Queue Complex - 3 to address the increasing pilgrim flow in Tirumala. The proposed complex is expected to significantly improve crowd management and reduce waiting times for devotees. Plans are also on to establish rest centres (lounges) with comprehensive amenities in various locations across Tirumala to ensure pilgrim comfort. In a boost to devotional activities at other TTD-managed temples, the board approved Rs 4.35 crore for continuous Anna Prasadam (free meals) service at the Sri Kodandaramaswamy Temple in Ontimitta. This will ensure that devotees visiting this historic temple receive uninterrupted free meals. The TTD has revised its funding structure for the construction of Srivari temples and Bhajan Mandirs under the Srivani Trust in SC, ST, and backward areas. The previous uniform grant of Rs 10 lakh will now be categorized into three tiers: Rs 10 lakh, Rs 15 lakh, and Rs 20 lakh, allowing for greater flexibility and support for temple construction in these communities. The TTD board also approved sending a recommendation to the government for the regularization of 142 contract drivers, following a verdict by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Besides, the board plans to upgrade pilgrim pathways, enhance basic amenities including lighting, security, and spiritual ambience along the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu pedestrian routes. A Master Plan and Detailed Project Report for the in being prepared to further develop Silathoranam and Chakra Teertham in Tirumala. Strengthening Srivari Seva is another priority. Four new coordinator posts on a contract basis have been approved to bolster voluntary services for devotees. These include establishing a Cyber Security Lab to protect devotees from online scams, modernising Kalyanakatta, where devotees offer hair. There is a plan to streamline administration too. A new administrative building is being constructed in Tirumala to centralize all departments. The old, structurally weak buildings are being demolished. The birthplace of Annamayya, Tallapaka, is to be developed. 320 new temples will be provided with microphone sets worth Rs 79.82 lakh free of charge under the Samarasata Seva Foundation. As part of a Veda preservation initiative, Rs 2.16 crore has been sanctioned from TTD funds to provide unemployment allowance to unemployed Veda Parayanadarulu (reciters of Vedas) through the Endowments Department.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Refreshing And Beautiful": NCERT's New Textbooks For Classes 6-8 Receive Internet's Approval
The new Social Science textbooks for classes 6 to 8, published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), have received the seal of approval from the internet for showcasing the country's history through the right lens. The overhaul comes in the backdrop of demands about decolonising the textbooks, with the previous iterations seemingly overemphasising colonial perspectives and playing down India's glorious, rich past. A social media user named Star Boy Tarun took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their review of the newly released books, stating it was 'refreshing and beautiful' to go through the new curriculum. "The new Social Science books for Classes 6 to 8 are truly a delight. The Class 8 book is still not available on their site, but I have read Class 6 and 7 books and really loved them. Here are some key takeaways," wrote the user. Both class 6 and 7 Social Science books are titled, Exploring Society: India and Beyond and are available to the students in the 2025-26 academic cycle. Talking about the takeaways from the book, the OP highlighted that the book talks about "ancient history of India from Rig Veda" and even mentions its old name. "Name of Bharat and Jambu Dweep. Books talk about ancient history of India from Rig Veda and Sapta Sindhu name. Chapter also gives reference of Vishnu Puran for the name Bharat," wrote the user, adding that the books mention Veda, Vedic Gods and Upanishads. "There is a dedicated chapter related to cultural roots of India which talks about Hindu, Bodh and Jain culture." The books also include chapters on India's sacred rivers and mountains, highlighting their cultural and religious significance for the people. "My followers know that I've always been a critic of the Modi govt when it comes to education, but I must admit, this change feels refreshing and beautiful," the user added. See the post here: New Social Science Books by NCERT (Thread) The new Social Science books for Classes 6 to 8 are truly a delight. The Class 8 book is still not available on their site, but I have read Class 6 and 7 books and really loved them. Here are some key takeaways Read and enjoy! 1/18 — STAR Boy TARUN (@Starboy2079) July 17, 2025 'NCERT has finally...' As of the last updates, the post had garnered nearly 800,000 views, thousands of likes and hundreds of comments, with the majority happy with the changes made by the government. "Maybe, this will start cleansing India of the false narratives of our own history, seeded by the past Marxist historians," said one user, while another added: "Wow. Finally. I truly appreciate this. Makes me want to go back and sit on the bench again." A fourth said: "In my opinion, this is gonna be the single most effective feat of the Modi Government since 2014."
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Guru Purnima a festival to establish Sanatan Dharma as Yug Dharma: Swami Ramdev
Haridwar: The festival of 'Guru Purnima', a symbol of Guru-disciple tradition, was celebrated with faith and dedication in the presence of Patanjali Yogpeeth's founder president Swami Ramdev and General Secretary Acharya Balkrishna in the Yoga Bhavan Auditorium located at Patanjali Wellness, Yogpeeth-2. On this occasion, Swami Ramdev said 'Guru Purnima is the festival of establishing Sanatan Dharma as Yug Dharma. It is a festival that represents India's glorious Guru-disciple tradition, Rishi tradition, Veda tradition and Sanatan tradition and gives them perfection.' He said that Rashtra Dharma was also included in Veda, Rishi and Guru Dharma. Addressing the students of Patanjali University, he said that today there was a battle for supremacy going on in the whole world. The dominance should be of truth, yoga, spirituality and justice. Due to different reasons, different types of ideological frenzy, religious frenzy, materialism, intellectual terrorism, religious terrorism, political, economic terrorism, medical terrorism, educational terrorism were going on in the whole world. In such a situation, the whole world will get education, medical, economic, social, political direction from India and India will be respected as the world leader. Acharya Balkrishna said that Guru Purnima was a festival to showcase the Guru-disciple tradition, but its significance was only when we have full faith in our Guru and follow the path shown by him. He said that India will become the world leader only through the Guru-disciple tradition, Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanatan, Vedic knowledge.
The Print
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Amit Shah isn't retiring any sooner but he can't have RSS pick Nadda's successor
So, why was he sharing his retirement plan with women farmers in Ahmedabad? If you hear his entire speech, he is looking to be in power for another decade, at least. He told them that the Ministry of Cooperation was putting in place the infrastructure that would ensure, in '8 to 10 years,' that the wheat grown through natural farming would be exported and the profit would come into their bank accounts directly. Shah is not known to share personal things in public, except on rare occasions—like when he posted his picture playing chess with his granddaughters. During an interaction a few years ago, I asked him what kind of music he liked. I was told by someone who knew him well that he liked music. ' Aap jaan kar kya karoge (why should you know it)?' Shah dismissed the question. He was the Bharatiya Janata Party president then. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's retirement plan evoked much curiosity last week. Addressing women farmers in Ahmedabad, he had said, 'I have decided that whenever I retire, I will spend the rest of my life for Veda, Upanishad and natural farming….' There seemed to be nothing irregular about what he said. The only thing you could deduce from his Ahmedabad speech is that he doesn't intend to be a 'politician-till-I-live', like many in his party want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be. Amit Shah has a retirement plan— a 75-year age ceiling or something else. That was the only plausible takeaway from his Ahmedabad speech. It is still resonating in political circles. They are wondering why the second most powerful man in India is thinking and talking about a retirement plan at all. That, too, publicly. Of all the people, Amit Shah knows better how every word he says will be interpreted in a million ways. Three years ago, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had lamented the '100 per cent sattakaran (power-centric)' of politics and said, 'I think a lot about when I should quit politics. There are more things worth doing in life than politics.' He was 65 then. Many people sat up to take note of what Gadkari said. He was virtually a loner in the party and the government. Anybody considered close to him paid a price. A joint secretary posted in Gadkari's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways– along with his wife from the Indian Police Service—was repatriated to their home cadre overnight for his perceived closeness to the minister. Nitin Gadkari, therefore, had reasons to be philosophical. Amit Shah is not known to be philosophical—not in public, at least. I am no James Joyce. The stream of consciousness is not my thing. Only Shah would know why he chose to talk about his retirement plan. If it has raised so much curiosity in the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), there is a reason for it— its timing. Was there a subtle message to the RSS? Sangh intervention It comes amid a stalemate over the choice of the next BJP president, ostensibly because of lack of consensus between Modi-Shah and the RSS. JP Nadda, whose extended term as the president ended in June last year, was always a rubber stamp. Shah was the de facto president and micromanaged the party. The RSS wouldn't have a Nadda-like president again who thinks that the BJP is now 'capable' enough to run its own affairs—meaning that the Sangh should mind its own business. Neither Modi nor Shah chose to rebut Nadda, prompting the RSS to pull back in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, which resulted in the BJP's tally coming down to 240 from 303. The Sangh has rallied behind its repentant ideological protégé in Assembly elections since then, but it has learned its lessons. The RSS wants the next BJP president to be someone who has absolute clarity about loyalty. But Shah, too, must have his loyalist as Nadda's successor. He has to maintain absolute control over the party. Also read: India needs a full-time Home Minister. No more puppet BJP president, please A lot at stake ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta reminded in his National Interest column on Saturday how then RSS chief KS Sudarshan had publicly asked Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani, the two faces of the BJP then, to make way for younger leaders in 2005. Sudarshan didn't live to see that happen. All he succeeded in was to trigger a debate in the party, which culminated in the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi pushing Advani out of the ring eight years later, in 2013. Think of the current scenario. There is no ambiguity about what RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat meant by his retirement-at-75 message. Unlike Vajpayee, though, Modi is in power, albeit with a diminishing aura. A BJP president of the RSS' choice would weaken Amit Shah's hold over the party, which he can't afford. In a video interview, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, a Shah loyalist, sought to set the record straight about the people 'liking' Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath so much (as Modi's successor). To start with, Yogi is a CM today, and there is no vacancy in Delhi—not for 20-25 years, said the MP from Jharkhand. Besides, the people voted in 2017 (UP assembly election) for Modi, not Yogi, and 'they still vote for Modi' (not Yogi). Dubey went on to explain that when it comes to people liking Yogi, they like Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, too. 'And you can't even imagine' how much people like Amit Shah, who abrogated Article 370 and ended naxalism. 'Whatever the BJP is today, the credit for it goes to the then president (Shah),' said Dubey. He was only voicing the sentiments of Shah's acolytes in the BJP. What Dubey was suggesting, though not in as many words, was that if and when the PM's post is vacant, Amit Shah is the natural choice to fill it. For that to happen, Shah has to have a firm grip over the BJP— CMs, legislators, party office-bearers, and leaders. The Minister for Cooperation has the most at stake in who becomes Nadda's successor as the BJP president. And no, Shah has no plan to go for natural farming any time soon. DK Singh is Political Editor at ThePrint. He tweets @dksingh73. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Nita Ambani wows in simple blue handcrafted Manish Malhotra saree with resham embroidery and ‘massive' diamond earrings
Nita Ambani's love for sarees is no secret. The businesswoman is often seen in exquisite drapes that saree enthusiasts can only dream of owning and her latest look is no exception. She looked absolutely gorgeous in a simple yet elegant blue silk saree that proves minimalism can be just as striking. If you're not a fan of heavy drapes, this timeless piece definitely deserves a spot in your wardrobe. Let's take a closer look and take some fashion notes. (Also read: Nita and Mukesh Ambani attend wedding with little Veda in ethnic looks; Anant and Radhika Merchant wow in desi attire ) Nita Ambani stuns in elegant blue silk saree adorned with intricate embellishments. (Instagram/@manishmalhotra05) Nita Ambani rocks blue silk saree Nita's custom-made saree comes straight from the shelves of celebrity designer Manish Malhotra. Her six yards of elegance are crafted in a rich navy blue shade and made from luxurious silk fabric. It features multi-hued resham aari embroidered borders that bring a pop of colour and texture against the simple blue backdrop. Adding to the regal aesthetic, the drape is delicately embellished with silver and gold kasab and intricate zardozi work. Nita styled the saree in a traditional manner, allowing the pallu to fall gracefully over her shoulder. She completed the look with a matching handwoven Banarasi brocade blouse, adding heritage flair to the ensemble. How she accessorised her look Talking about Nita Ambani's look and not mentioning diamonds is simply not possible. She accessorised her ensemble with statement diamond stud earrings, a delicate pendant necklace, a diamond bracelet, and sparkling diamond rings adorning her fingers. Her makeup was kept subtle, featuring nude eyeshadow, winged eyeliner, kohl-rimmed eyes, mascara-coated lashes, defined brows, blushed cheeks, and glossy pink lipstick. Her luscious tresses were left loose in a side partition, cascading elegantly over her shoulders. About Nita Ambani Nita Ambani, the wife of Mukesh Ambani, is a prominent Indian businesswoman and philanthropist. She serves as the chairperson and founder of both the Reliance Foundation and the Dhirubhai Ambani International School. Nita and Mukesh Ambani are parents to three children- Isha, Akash, and Anant Ambani.
