Latest news with #Gangaaarti
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
VDA to build ramp for Divyang & elderly at Ravidas ghat in Kashi
Varanasi: The Varanasi Development Authority is set to install a ramp at Ravidas ghat, making it easier for elderly and Divyang individuals (people with disabilities) to board cruise rides on the Ganga river. Currently, the steep steps pose a significant challenge for these individuals, often forcing them to abandon their plans for a cruise ride. With the new ramp, accessibility and comfort will be greatly improved. VDA vice-chairman Pulkit Garg said, "We have finalised a proposal to construct a ramp at Ravidas ghat to facilitate people with disabilities and the elderly. Necessary approval has been obtained from the infrastructure fund for this project, which is estimated to cost around Rs 50 lakh. The work will be carried out by inviting e-tenders as per regulations." The new ramp will soon enable people with disabilities and the elderly to comfortably board cruise rides on the Ganga river, allowing them to participate in sightseeing, Ganga aarti viewing, and other religious activities. The ramp will provide direct access from the ghat to the boats, bridging a substantial height difference between the entrance point at Ravidas Park and the lowest step. This development is particularly noteworthy as Varanasi is set to launch a 50-seat air-conditioned electric boat for tourists at Ravidas ghat, enhancing the city's religious tourism infrastructure. The proposed ramp is being designed according to accessibility standards for people with disabilities, with a slope ratio of 1:12. Approximately 150 metres long, the ramp will be smooth, safe, and durable.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Fuelled by rising xenophobia, incidents of Hinduphobia continue to escalate in Canada
Toronto: From a rath yatra in Toronto pelted with eggs and a river ritual attracting attacks to temples being vandalised, incidents of Hinduphobia continue to escalate in Canada, fuelled by rising xenophobia in the country. Ganga aarti being performed on the banks of the Credit river in the Greater Toronto Area on July 4. (Credit: Consulate General of India/X) The rath yatra or chariot fest, an annual event, organised by ISKCON in Toronto, was disrupted as eggs were tossed at the procession by unidentified miscreants on Saturday. That left members of the congregation shocked since the rath yatra is a Toronto staple, with this being its 53rd edition. 'Anti-immigration sentiment is feeding into this,' a committee member of ISKCON Toronto told the Hindustan Times. A police report was filed. In a statement, ISKCON Communications North America said it 'strongly condemns this disrespectful and potentially dangerous act. There is no place for such behaviour in a multicultural and tolerant society like Canada'. 'We are grateful that no serious injuries occurred, and we commend the prompt response of law enforcement. We urge that the individuals responsible be held accountable under applicable laws,' the released issued on Monday added. India also reacted. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday, 'Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony.' He added that New Delhi had 'strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable' and hoped Ottawa 'will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people'. This incident came just days after as a Ganga Aarti on the banks of the Credit river in the Greater Toronto Area or GTA town of Mississauga came in for xenophobic attacks online. The Aarti was performed on July 4 and when Mississauga city councillor Dipika Damerla posted a video of its online, some of the reaction was racist and critical. In a response, she said the post 'got a lot of love but also a lot of hate and misinformation'. 'Nothing, not even flowers were put into the river' which, along with the site, were 'left pristine' after the ritual was performed, she said. She said the Ganga aarti could be performed at any river to honour them for providing 'life sustenance to all of us'. In April, the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in the town of Georgetown in Ontario was vandalised. That followed a spate of incidents of vandalisation of Hindu temples across country between 2023 and 2024. At least 20 temples were targeted during that period and desecrated often with pro-Khalistan and anti-India graffiti spray-painted on their walls and exteriors. These incidents come as anti-immigration sentiment has grown in Canada in recent years following the high numbers of newcomers entering the country due to the policies of the government of former prime minister Justin Trudeau. As the largest and most visible cohort, Indians have been the principle targets of the growing xenophobic trend. 'There is anti-immigration narrative building in Canada and the growth of Hinduphobia is part of that,' immigration professional Naresh Chavda said. He added that the sentiment has been aggravated by the actions against immigrants taken by the administration of President Donald Trump in the United States. In November last year, there was a violent invasion of the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton by pro-Khalistan protesters, resulting in multiple arrests. 'It's unacceptable that in a country priding itself on multiculturalism, Hindu Canadians must constantly defend their right to exist and worship peacefully,' Rishabh Sarswat, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada, said. He called on all levels of government and law enforcement to 'address this growing threat seriously'. The spate of hate targeting Hindus has often been met with silence from the federal government and lack of police action in the form of arrests. In October 2023, an e-petition for the recognition of Hinduphobia in Canada was moved by GTA resident Vijay Jain and attracted over 25,000 signatures. It was presented in the House of Commons by its sponsoring MP Melissa Lantsman. However, there was no action from the government, other than an anodyne response thanking the petitioner 'for expressing their concerns regarding the growing negative stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination of Hindus in Canada'.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Watch: NRIs perform 'Ganga Aarti' Canadian riverbank; sparks mixed response
Indian's in Canada performing 'Ganga aarti' on the bank of River Credit Indian community performed "Ganga Aarti" on the banks of Credit River in Mississauga, Canada, has drawn mixed reactions on social media. The traditional Hindu ceremony, typically performed on the banks of River Ganga, was organized by Team Radio Dhishum and attended by members of the Indian diaspora dressed in traditional attire. The Consulate General of India, Toronto, shared visuals of the event on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle, noting that Consul Sanjeev Saklani represented the Consulate at what they described as a "soulful evening of divine chants and pious mantras." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The ceremony included Vedic rituals, mantra chanting, and the floating of lamps on the Credit River, drawing mixed reactions from social media users. While some questioned the appropriateness of performing Ganga Aarti on a different river, with comments like "Credit is not Ganga. What exactly are they worshipping?" others defended it as a symbolic expression of faith and cultural identity. Supporters argued that the ceremony was more about spiritual connection than geographical location, with one user noting, "Faith is about intention, not coordinates." This incident follows a recent similar debate sparked by Indian tourists performing Garba dance inside Dubai's Burj Khalifa.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Cauvery aarati will reflect traditions of all riparian States: Shivakumar
The Karnataka government is preparing to do the Cauvery aarti programme along with the Dasara this time, which will include programmes to represent cultures of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, announced Deputy Chief Minister and Major and Medium Irrigation Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Speaking in Bengaluru on Saturday, he said the modalities were being worked out. 'We have formed a committee under the leadership of BWSSB chief Ram Prasath Manohar. The Deputy Commissioner of Mandya will also be part of this committee. Various departments such as Muzrai, Kannada and Culture, Irrigation, and Tourism will be involved in various aspects of Cauvery aarti,' he said. Asked about the Finance Department's recommendation that it would be difficult to finance Cauvery aarti, he said, 'The final decision lies with the government, no matter what the recommendations are. The government is committed to starting the Cauvery aarti.' Responding to a query on whether Cauvery aarti venue would be close to the Krishnaraja Sagar, he said, 'This event will be held a little further away from the dam keeping in mind security considerations. The committee will take a final call on the location.' On whether the team which manages Ganga aarti in Varanasi would handle Cauvery aarti, he said, 'It would be handled by a team from the State itself.'
