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New Indian Express
7 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
First zero-waste tribal festival of Himachal to set sustainability benchmark in Keylong
CHANDIGARH: The first-ever Zero Waste Tribal Festival of Himachal Pradesh will be held from August 14 to 16 at Keylong. This landmark event will not only celebrate the vibrant tribal heritage of the region but also set a new benchmark for environmentally responsible festivities in the state. Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti Kiran Bhadana said that the 'Zero Waste' vision of the tribal festival will be brought to life through various initiatives, including a complete ban on plastic bottles and disposable cutlery; drinking water availability at multiple stations with regular water quality checks for safe and sustainable hydration; use of pattal (leaf plates) and biodegradable cutlery to ensure eco-friendly servings; banners made of sustainable materials like cloth bags and cloth-based banners replacing plastic; and clearly marked bins for waste segregation at multiple points for different waste types. Bhadana said that the Tribal Festival-2025 is not just a cultural celebration, but also a statement of commitment to sustainability and heritage preservation. 'As Himachal's first Zero Waste Tribal Fair, it will inspire communities across the state to celebrate responsibly while honouring our rich traditions,' he added. The Lahaul and Spiti district administration has partnered with the Healing Himalayas and Saahas NGOs for waste management, sustainability awareness and hands-on education on eco-friendly practices.
Business Standard
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Tribal Festival 2025 in Lahaul & Spiti to Become Himachal Pradesh's First Eco-Friendly Celebration
PNN Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 12: In a landmark initiative that blends tradition with sustainability, the District Administration of Lahaul & Spiti is set to host Himachal Pradesh's first-ever eco-friendly festival- Tribal Festival 2025 from August 14-16. Backed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, TRIFED (Tribes of India), the North Zone Cultural Centre, and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, this year's edition will mark a historic milestone with zero-waste and green practices setting a new benchmark for environmentally conscious public events in the state. Pre-Festival activities, started earlier on August 2, have already engaged the community in yoga sessions, poetry contests, knitting competitions, plantation drives, and local sports. The inclusion of Mr., Miss & Mrs. Lahaul & Spiti pageant also adds an inclusive and festive spirit to the proceedings. The festival will spotlight the unique tribal identity of the region, showcasing indigenous art, music, dance, local sports, traditional cuisine, and crafts, while introducing a robust green protocol to minimise environmental impact. The vision behind the festival is driven by Ms. Kiran Bhadana, 2017-batch IAS Officer, the first woman Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti, and Chairperson of the Tribal Festival Committee. Known for her transformative leadership in one of India's most remote and ecologically sensitive districts, Ms. Bhadana has prioritized inclusive development, women's empowerment, and climate-responsive governance. Under her guidance, the festival is embracing an array of green initiatives, a strict ban on single-use plastics, refillable water stations, cloth bag promotions, and the deployment of Swachhata volunteers to maintain real-time cleanliness and environmental awareness. Ms. Kiran Bhadana, Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti, and Chairperson of the Tribal Festival Committee, says, "Driven by a deep respect for the Himalayan ecosystem and its cultural heritage, the District Administration has taken thoughtful green initiatives to make the Tribal Festival an eco-conscious celebration. This is not just an event, it's a heartfelt tribute to the indigenous communities of Lahaul & Spiti, showcasing their timeless traditions, spiritual depth, and close bond with nature. It offers visitors and locals alike a rare chance to experience the true essence of Himalayan tribal life, in a way that honours both culture and sustainability." Lahaul & Spiti remains one of India's most remote and beautiful landscapes. The Tribal Festival 2025 offers a rare opportunity for both locals and visitors to experience its cultural and ecological richness, on its own terms, and through the lens of sustainability. As India increasingly turns its attention to eco-conscious tourism and cultural preservation, the Lahaul & Spiti Tribal Festival emerges as a pioneering model, showing that even the most traditional celebrations can evolve to meet the challenges of our time. About District Administration of Lahaul & Spiti: The Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh consists of the two formerly separate districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The present administrative centre is Keylong in Lahaul. Before the two districts were merged, Kardang was the capital of Lahaul, and Dhankar the capital of Spiti. The district was formed in 1960, and is the fourth least populous district in India.
The Wire
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Wire
Tribal Festival 2025 in Lahaul & Spiti to Become Himachal Pradesh's First Eco-Friendly Celebration
Ms. Kiran Bhadana, Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti, and Chairperson of the Tribal Festival Committee Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 9: In a landmark initiative that blends tradition with sustainability, the District Administration of Lahaul & Spiti is set to host Himachal Pradesh's first-ever eco-friendly festival- Tribal Festival 2025 from August 14–16. Backed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, TRIFED (Tribes of India), the North Zone Cultural Centre, and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, this year's edition will mark a historic milestone with zero-waste and green practices setting a new benchmark for environmentally conscious public events in the state. Pre-Festival activities, started earlier on August 2, have already engaged the community in yoga sessions, poetry contests, knitting competitions, plantation drives, and local sports. The inclusion of Mr., Miss & Mrs. Lahaul & Spiti pageant also adds an inclusive and festive spirit to the proceedings. The festival will spotlight the unique tribal identity of the region, showcasing indigenous art, music, dance, local sports, traditional cuisine, and crafts, while introducing a robust green protocol to minimise environmental impact. The vision behind the festival is driven by Ms. Kiran Bhadana, 2017-batch IAS Officer, the first woman Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti, and Chairperson of the Tribal Festival Committee. Known for her transformative leadership in one of India's most remote and ecologically sensitive districts, Ms. Bhadana has prioritized inclusive development, women's empowerment, and climate-responsive governance. Under her guidance, the festival is embracing an array of green initiatives, a strict ban on single-use plastics, refillable water stations, cloth bag promotions, and the deployment of Swachhata volunteers to maintain real-time cleanliness and environmental awareness. Ms. Kiran Bhadana, Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti, and Chairperson of the Tribal Festival Committee, says, "Driven by a deep respect for the Himalayan ecosystem and its cultural heritage, the District Administration has taken thoughtful green initiatives to make the Tribal Festival an eco-conscious celebration. This is not just an event, it's a heartfelt tribute to the indigenous communities of Lahaul & Spiti, showcasing their timeless traditions, spiritual depth, and close bond with nature. It offers visitors and locals alike a rare chance to experience the true essence of Himalayan tribal life, in a way that honours both culture and sustainability." Lahaul & Spiti remains one of India's most remote and beautiful landscapes. The Tribal Festival 2025 offers a rare opportunity for both locals and visitors to experience its cultural and ecological richness, on its own terms, and through the lens of sustainability. As India increasingly turns its attention to eco-conscious tourism and cultural preservation, the Lahaul & Spiti Tribal Festival emerges as a pioneering model, showing that even the most traditional celebrations can evolve to meet the challenges of our time. About District Administration of Lahaul & Spiti: The Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh consists of the two formerly separate districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The present administrative centre is Keylong in Lahaul. Before the two districts were merged, Kardang was the capital of Lahaul, and Dhankar the capital of Spiti. The district was formed in 1960, and is the fourth least populous district in India. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
Mint
19-06-2025
- General
- Mint
'Thought Pakistan fired missile': Students feared attack when Air India flight crashed into BJ Medical College hostel
'Air India Plane Crash: The tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, 2025, not only claimed 241 lives but also revived deep-seated fears among medical students at BJ Medical College, who initially believed the devastating impact on their hostel was the result of a missile attack from Pakistan. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, lost altitude moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, crashing into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in the Meghani Nagar area. The crash caused a massive explosion and thick black smoke to billow skywards, killing 241 people on board and more than two dozen on the ground, including nine doctors. Among the survivors at BJ Medical College was Keshav Bhadana, a second-year MBBS student from Faridabad, who recounted to NDTV the harrowing moments when the walls of the medical college hostel began to crumble. 'It was lunch time. At around 1.30 pm, I was eating with my friends at the mess when suddenly, the walls began to collapse and the ceiling began to fall. At first, it seemed like a dust storm. We then thought it must have been an earthquake,' he said. Bhadana's initial reaction was shaped by the tense geopolitical climate between India and Pakistan. 'Then I thought Pakistan must have attacked with a missile. I put my hands on my face out of fear." "The moment I removed my hands from my face, I saw suitcases falling from above. Then I thought it must have been a plane crash,' the medico added. The student lost four friends in the Air India disaster. 'At the time of the accident, 50 children were eating on my floor. There were six friends sitting at my table. Four of them were killed in the (Air India plane) crash. One of them was a very close friend of mine and I miss him,' Bhadana told NDTV. He also described his injuries and the chaos that followed: 'I saw a wall falling on me. As I fell backwards, I suffered injuries on my hands, legs and head. My legs were buried under the rubble.' The situation worsened when gas cylinders in the mess began exploding, sending the survivors into further panic. 'We were on the first floor of the mess. Everyone was screaming... There was black smoke everywhere, so nothing was visible. Suddenly, the cylinders in the mess started exploding,' he said. 'Many people had stopped showing signs of any movement. Maybe they had died. We came out with great difficulty.' This fear of a missile strike was not unfounded given the recent escalation in tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. The crash occurred against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor. The 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians including tourists were killed by militants, significantly escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to dismantle militant infrastructure. Following these strikes, Pakistan attempted missile and drone attacks on India's western border states, including Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat, leading to a brief but intense military conflict before a ceasefire was agreed upon. The border states of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat were on high alert due to fears of missile attacks.
NDTV
19-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
"Thought Pak Fired Missile": Student To NDTV On Air India Plane Crashing Into Hostel
When the walls of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad started crumbling and a large amount of debris, including roof rubble, began falling, Keshav Bhadana did not think a plane would have crashed. Instead, going by the damages and an "explosion-like sound", he thought that Pakistan must have attacked India and launched a missile that ultimately fell at the college campus. "It was lunch time. At around 1.30 pm, I was eating with my friends at the mess when suddenly, the walls began to collapse and the ceiling began to fall. At first, it seemed like a dust storm. We then thought it must have been an earthquake," the second year MBBS student from Faridabad said. "Then I thought Pakistan must have attacked with a missile. I put my hands on my face out of fear. The moment I removed my hands from my face, I saw suitcases falling from above. Then I thought it must have been a plane crash," he added. On June 12, London-bound Air India 171 flight, belonging to Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 fleet, crashed seconds after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. Officials said the aircraft lost altitude soon after taking off at around 1.30pm. It crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in Meghaninagar area before going up in flames, sending plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air. The pilot had issued a 'Mayday' distress call, denoting a full emergency, soon after takeoff, the Air Traffic Control at Ahmedabad said. Two hundred and seventy four people - both on board the aircraft and on the ground - were killed in the crash. The toll included nine doctors from the college and their relatives. Bhadana's remarks on fears of a possible missile attack by Pakistan came against the backdrop of last month's strikes and counterstrikes between New Delhi and Islamabad, which were triggered by Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor - that targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir - was in return launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The border states of Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat were on high alert in view of Pakistan's missile strikes on Indian territories. Bhadana, who lost four of his friends in the crash, said: "I saw a wall falling on me. As I fell backwards, I suffered injuries on my hands, legs and head. My legs were buried under the rubble," Bhadana, who also suffered injuries, said. "At the time of the accident, 50 children were eating on my floor. There were six friends sitting at my table. Four of them were killed in the crash. One of them was a very close friend of mine and I miss him," he added. The student said the situation turned tense after the cylinders at the mess started exploding. "We were on the first floor of the mess. Everyone was screaming... There was black smoke everywhere, so nothing was visible. Suddenly, the cylinders in the mess started exploding," he said. "Many people had stopped showing signs of any movement. Maybe they had died. We came out with great difficulty," he added. He said he was visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the hospital. "He gave me a lot of mental strength. He told me not to worry and reminded me that I was a doctor," he said. "We will go back to college soon. It will take some time for normalcy to resume. We will sit in the class and eat in the mess but some of our friends will not be there. It will be very sad," he added.
