Teachers’ Day – How it started??

“… It is a greater work to educate a child, in the true and large sense of that phrase, than to rule a State.”

—William Ellery Channing, Preacher and Theologian  

A teacher is a friend, philosopher and guide who holds our hand, opens our mind and touches our heart. In India, Teachers’ day is celebrated on 5th September every year in the memory of Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan on his birthday. This day is celebrated throughout India by honouring teachers as well as meritorious students.

How and when it started? : In India, Teachers’ day is celebrated on 5th September since 1962 to honour Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan as it is his birth anniversary. Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan was an outstanding student. He has played many roles in his life… a teacher, philosopher, author, politician. He was a great teacher and was very popular among his students. He was the first Vice-President of India (1952-62) and the second President of India ((1962-67). He was awarded Knighthood in 1931. In 1954, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India. After he became the President of India, some of his former students came to him and sought his permission to celebrate his birthday on 5th September. Dr. Radhakrishnan politely declined their request and suggested that instead of celebrating his birthday, it would be his privilege if this day is observed as Teachers’ day. Since then this day is celebrated as Teachers’ day.

What about other countries? : Many other countries also celebrate Teachers’ day but the date varies from country to country. However, World Teachers’ day is celebrated on 5th October since 1994. This tradition was started by UNESCO to celebrate the accomplishment of teachers all over the world.

Wish you a very happy Teachers’ Day!!

Why we should not sweep the floor of our house after the sunset??

We live in a society with thousands and lakhs of beliefs which we rarely question. We follow them religiously because our mothers taught us to do so and our mothers follow them because their mothers taught them to do so and the cycle goes on and on. One such incident recently took place with me which I am sharing with you.

One fine evening I thought of cleaning my room and started brooming the floor. My mother noticed that and told me not to do so because it is a religious belief that you should not sweep the floor after the sunset. I asked her about the reason to which she replied that it will make Goddess Lakshmi leave our house. Her answer failed to satisfy me and we ended up fighting and obviously she won.

Does something like this ever happened to you as well?? If so, have you ever questioned that thing or wondered why our forefathers and their forefathers and their forefathers had such a belief?? I tried to find out the real logical reason behind it.

First of all we should understand something about Goddess Lakshmi. We associate Goddess Lakshmi with wealth. Wealth includes the money we have, jewellery and other valuable stuff. Decades back, we din’t had access to electricity. In such a scenario if someone sweep the floor after the sunset, they might end up losing some valuable stuff like jewellery or something. This loss may be seen as Goddess Lakshmi leaving our house.

So, now I feel it makes sense to you that what is the logical reason behind this belief. Please give me your valuable feedback and let me know what do you think about this.

See you soon with another interesting topic. Till then take care of yourself. #Zindagi_Gulzar_Hai !!

Rakshabandhan – A festival of love

Rakshabandhan is a festival of celebration of the special bond shared by the siblings. This festival is celebrated not only in India but also in countries like Nepal, Pakistan and Mauritius.

The word Rakshabandhan is made up of two words, namely "Raksha" and "Bandhan." As per the Sanskrit terminology it means "the tie or knot of protection" where "Raksha" stands for the protection and "Bandhan" signifies the verb to tie.

Like other festivals, this festival too has several stories associated with it. This festival is known to have originated centuries ago and some of the various accounts related to the Hindu mythology are described below:

King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi- As per an account of Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, when Lord Vishnu won the three worlds from the demon King Bali, he asked by the demon king to stay beside him in the palace. The Lord accepted the request and started living with the demon King. However, Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu wanted him to return to his native place of Baikuntha. So, she tied the Rakhi around the wrist of demon King Bali and made him a brother to her. On asking about the return gift, Goddess Lakshmi asked Bali to free her husband from the vow and let him return to Baikuntha. Bali agreed to the request and Lord Vishnu returned to his place with his wife, Goddess Lakshmi.

Santoshi Maa- It is said that the two sons of Lord Ganesha namely, Shubh and Labh were frustrated that they had no sister to celebrate Rakshabandhan with. They asked for a sister from their father who finally agreed on the intervention of saint Narada. This is how Lord Ganesha created Santoshi Maa through the divine flames that emerged from Ganesha’s wives Ridhi and Sidhi. This is how the two sons of Lord Ganesha got their sister to celebrate Rakshabandhan.

There are a lot of other stories that shows the importance of this festival.

This occasion is meant to celebrate any type of brother-sister relationship between men and women who may not be biologically related. On this day, a sister ties a Rakhi around the wrist of her brother in order to pray for his prosperity, health and well-being. The brother in return offers gifts and promises to protect his sister from any harm and under every circumstance.

Have a happy and rocking Rakshabandhan !!

Why Onam is Celebrated??

There is a story behind every festival that we celebrate. Let us find out the story behind Onam!!!

It all started long long ago. A demon named Mahabali ruled Kerala.  He was a wise, kind and judicious ruler and loved by his subjects. It is said that there was perfect equality, peace and happiness in his kingdom. Soon Mahabali's fame began to spread and when he extended his rule to the heavens, the Gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of the Devas, pleaded Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers. Lord Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called “Vamana” and approached Mahabali while he was performing a Yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin's wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish.

Vamana asked for a simple gift, “the amount of land he could measure in three paces” and the king agreed to it. Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky blotting out the stars, with the second step covered the netherworld. Realizing that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step.

Lord Vishnu's third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Lord Vishnu, moved by his integrity and humility, granted him a boon. Since Mahabali was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile.

Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects. Onam is celebrated by wearing new clothes and resolving to lead a new life of truth, piety, love, and humility.  It is an occasion for joy, compassion, gift-giving and solidarity, and embodies Kerala's cultural unity and pluralism.

A Very Happy Onam to all !!