Diwali, Deepavali and Kaalipuja



Pradip Kumar Dutta
Happy Deepavali

Happy Deepavali

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Happy Deepavali/Diwali to all. It's the festival of Lights. Festival of superiority of light over darkness, education over illiteracy,good over evil,freedom over exploitation,truth over lies. Want to elaborate the Shmoshan Dipali programme that is observed in southern Bangladesh(mostly all over greater Barishal and adjacent areas). Kaunia Mohashmoshan of Barishal has the most of funfare. This is on the night prior to Diwali,the Bhoot Chaturdashi day.

The Diwali night is observed on the Amavashya of Kartik,the 7th month according to our Bangla calendar. The day before that is the 14th day of that fortnight and named Bhoot Chaturdashi in Bengal or Naraka Chaturdashi  in North India.It is believed according to the Hindu mythology that on this night the spirits of the dead in the family comes back to enquire about the welbeing of their descendants. So,everyone tries to honour the souls and pray for their eternal peace and express their love to the deceased by putting their favourite food in their cremation ground.Flowers and lighting their memorial tombstones with candles,diya, and electrical lights is also a widespread practice.This has been done from time immemorial. But about 200years ago in Kaunia Mohashmoshan it started to be observed in a grand ceremonious way. The cremation ground is situated on about 4 acres of land and has approximately 60000 tombstones. All are cleaned,decorated and illuminated in a grand fashion. A Mela is also in place. Tight security is maintained. People whose near and dear ones have been cremated here come with a mixed feeling of emotion,reverence and prayer. Others come for showing solidarity. Some others come for curiosity. It's a huge crowd of a few hundred thousand. A great event indeed.

In Spanish and South American culture too they have a similiar celebration named Dia del Muertos(meaning Day of the Deads). We have come across same in Mexico. Even Halloween resembles this celebration to some extent although it is more of fun and merry making. In North India and Nepal Diwali is the biggest religious and social celebrations continuing for five days starting with Dhanteras(day bringing fortune) two days before Diwali and continues till Bhai dooz or Bhai teeka(sisters wishing their brothers who in turn blesses and assures sister of all support in need). Bhai teeka is held two days after the Diwali,completing the five day celebrations. In Bengal,Tripura,Assam and Orissa we have all those celebrations or similar ones.

We start with Dhan Troyodashi and continue celebrations of Bhoot Chaturdashi, Kaalipuja and Deepavali on the Diwali day. The next day is Giri Gobardhan puja and Annakoot utsav on the new moon day and Bhai phonta on the Dwitiya of the fortnight. It is worthwhile to mention here that in North India Lakshmi puja is a must do in all the households on the Diwali day. Moreover,lighting every house,temple and even streets lavishly, is observed everywhere. Kids and even grown ups try to enjoy fire work and fire crackers though it sometimes causes accidents.

A good question may be what is the history or story behind Diwali? Why it is observed as a sacred but joyous day? Sanatana scriptures records this day as the day when victorious Ramachandra entered Ayodhya,their capital with his victorious army and entourage after demolishing the demon king Ravana three weeks prior to this day. The whole city of Ayodhya was decorated and festive lighting was in place.To commemorate the victorious homecoming of Lord Rama and to emphasize the victory of right over wrong,Diwali has always been celebrated ever since. Happy Diwali again to all.

   

Ten people killed by lightning across the country



Desk report, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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Ten people were killed by lightning strikes in different parts of the country during the relief rains after intense heat. Among them, four died in Cumilla, three in Rangamati, two in Cox's Bazar and one in Khagrachari.

This incident happened on Thursday (May 2) morning and afternoon.

Farmer Daultur Rahman (47) son of Sundar Ali of Kismat-Srimantapur area of Barkit union of Chandina upazila of Cumilla, Alam Hossain son of Kuddus Mia of Panchora area of Rajapur union of Burichong upazila, Mokhleshur Rahman of Dhamati area of Debidwar upazila and Atiqul Islam of Suryapur village of Goliara union of Sadar Dakshin upazila killed by lightning.

Nazir Hossain (50), a resident of Siletipara area of Rangamati Sadar Upazila, Hill District, Baharjan Begum (55), wife of Lal Mia, Muslim Block village, Rupakari Union, Ward No. 7, Baghaichhari Upazila, and Tanibala Tripura (25), sister of Mithun Tripura, a shopkeeper, Betling Mouja, Luinthian Para, Ward No. 7, Sajek Union death occurs

Didarul Islam (35) son of Zamir of Jarulbunia area of Shilkhali Union of Pekua Upazila of Cox's Bazar and son of Jamal of Charipara area of Rajakhali Union. Armaan (25) died due to lightning.

A schoolboy named Yasin Arafat (13) was killed by lightning while picking mangoes in the gusty wind at Matiranga of Khagrachari.

Matiranga Upazila Nirbahi Officer Daisy Chakraborty said that a school student died in the morning due to lightning. She said that initiatives have been taken to help the family of the deceased.

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The rain came, the much awaited rain of relief...



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Photo: barta24.com

Photo: barta24.com

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It will rain today (May 2); Met Office said. The waiting started in the morning. In the sweltering heat of the day, the bells tick and remind us that it will rain on May 2; much wanted rain.

The rain that will wash away the heat wave fatigue, lethargy. Summer brings a message of calmness to nature by reducing the frenzy of the sun. The torrential rain in Chattogram in the morning intensified the wait. On the streets, in the office-court, in the net world; A question - when it rains everywhere?

Then came the relief news; In the evening, some areas of the capital have seen rain! Then the question is where the rain is? Finally the rain came, the much awaited rain of relief…. It came with flashes of lightning and thunder. Due to the gust, torrential rains drenched the capital. Raindrops have come as a relief in the midst of scorching sun and heat.

It rained in different areas of the capital on Thursday (02 May) at 12:15 pm. But it didn't last long, even though city life got some temporary respite from the scorching heat.

It can be seen on the surface, the intensity of rainfall was high in the beginning, but it has gradually decreased. It is now drizzling. As the rain of tranquility after the prolonged heat wave, a breath of relief has come to public life from the breath of heat.

Soon after the rain started, many expressed their relief on social media. Expressing relief on the news of rain, a young woman named Faria wrote, "Allah finally.. rain, Alhamdulillah what a beautiful wind of peace!"

A young man named Robin said, the long wait for rain has come to an end. It feels so good. But if it rained for a while, the weather would be cold.

Afsana Azad Tama, a resident of Khilkhet, came down the road with her relatives after many days of rain.

Meanwhile, it has been seen on social media that a small child has fallen into the sijdah of Allah in the calm rain in the Badda area of the capital!

Monwar Hossain, meteorologist of the Department of Meteorology, said that there may be rain in some places of Dhaka Division on Friday as well. However, he said that there is little chance of rain in the capital.

Earlier, the Meteorological Department had predicted rain. According to that forecast, rain has occurred in some parts of the country including Chattogram apart from Dhaka today.

Incidentally, for the past one month, a severe heat wave has been sweeping over Bangladesh. Day and night temperatures are almost the same due to the intensity of the sun. As a result, even if the sun goes down, the suffering of people does not decrease. Everyone is seen panting in the heat even at night.

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Allegation of blank firing against former MP Bodi



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Cox’s Bazar
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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Former MP Abdur Rahman Bodi has been accused of firing blank gun shots in front of the gathering of candidates for the upcoming sixth upazila parishad election and Teknaf upazila chairman Nurul Alam.

The incident took place on Thursday (02 May) night in Huaikshong Paschim Maheshkhali Para area of Teknaf.

Chairman Nurul Alam said, today I had a meeting with members and seniors in Cambodia Para, Huaiyong Paschim Maheshkhali Para. There suddenly 20-30 people including former MP Bodi and Zafar chairman came to our side and fired 2 rounds blankly.

Upazila Chairman Nurul Alam said that Abdur Rahman Bodi himself shot with his pistol. He said, I am now going to complain to the police about the matter.

To know about this matter, the former MP called Bodi's mobile phone several times, but he did not receive it, so it was not possible to take a statement.

However, the candidate with whom it is alleged that Abdur Rahman Bodi was shot, spoke to the candidate Zafar Alam on the mobile phone. He said, Bodi Bhai was with me. Nothing of the sort happened. Since his (Nurul Alam) brother Nurul Bashar lost the national elections, Bodi has been maligning his brother. Zafar Alam said that this is also such a disgrace.

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Sons, daughters and wives are 'relatives' in upazila elections: Prime Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in the definition of 'relative' in the upazila elections, 'What is the family formula - one's son, daughter and wife! There is no family outside of this! We want the election to be free of influence! People can vote freely!

The Prime Minister said all this in response to a question at a press conference after her visit to Thailand at the Prime Minister's official residence, Ganabhaban, on Thursday (May 2) at 11:30 am.

The Prime Minister said that many of the families of Awami League had already been elected in one place for a long time. The one who became an MP, may have been the union or upazila chairman's wife long before him. But it's right, in one place he gave his wife, in another place he gave his son, that's not right! Activists should also be evaluated. I will take everything myself, I will not keep anything for my leaders and workers, that is not possible!

She said, everyone is contesting in the election, it means making the election meaningful.

Referring to the boycott of some parties, Sheikh Hasina said that many political parties are boycotting the elections. Why reject! Because they are not able to choose. If you want to do 'Parliament Election', you have to show the people who will be the next leader or Prime Minister! If you don't have a suitable leader, then you have to find someone. I did not make an election, that's the reality! That is what is happening in our country! If the accused is shown to the people, the people will not accept it. If you want to do politics, you have to take risks!

The Awami League president said, "After '75, I was not allowed to come to the country. Rehana did not even get a passport! The war criminals who were tried by the Father of the Nation, the convicted convicts who were released and allowed to do politics, are the ministers, advisors, in power. Murderers in power! I returned to the country in that state. My life was in danger. I got hit again and again but I survived. This is the problem of many. Why did I survive after trying to kill so many times!

Commenting that there has been 'development' because Awami League has come to power, she added that Bengalis have been given the opportunity to stand tall or speak in the world. Earlier, when I heard the name, I used to say 'poor', 'beggar caste', whether I was able to get rid of that bad name or not, that is the big thing!

The Prime Minister said that elections are being held in many other countries. We will see how the people there vote. We will see that too. Our effort is to make the process more public and transparent!

We have constituted the Election Commission by making law for the first time. Financially it was dependent on the Prime Minister's Office. I made it autonomous from there. I have made a separate budget.

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