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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Hariyali Teej 2025: Hands full of mehendi, plates full of ghewar in Delhi-NCR
Hariyali Teej is here, bringing with it the sweet aroma of ghewar, the rhythmic clinking of bangles, and long queues at mehendi stalls. As tradition and festivity come alive in vibrant hues, city markets are buzzing with activity — here's what's trending: Women across the city have been queuing up to get mehendi applied on their hands on the occasion of Teej festival. (Photo: Vipin Kumar/HT (For representational purposes only)) Mehendi mania in city The excitement is real in the heart of Connaught Place, where right outside the iconic Hanuman Mandir a mehendi artist Jagjeevan, perched on a low stool, is busy creating magic with a mehendi cone. He says, 'Designer mehendis are the rage nowadays, but bahut log especially Madhubani style ki mehendi lagwane aa rahe hain. This design comprises a lot of flowers and leaves. Also, for Teej, women are mostly asking for gol chakra or mandala mehendi design.' Sharing how the dancing peacock motif is another preferred one by married women and even youngsters who are celebrating Hariyali Teej (July 27), Shashi says, 'Yeh dekho, poori album hai humare paas choose karne ko... We apply different styles of mehendi including Arabian, bridal, and Rajasthani. Par Teej ke liye is baar logon ko jhoola aur peacock wale designs sabse zyada pasand aa rahe hain. Some enthusiastic women are also searching for these specific designs on internet and sharing screenshots of those pictures with us to ask before they sit down 'Aap yeh wala design laga paoge?'' It's, however, not just the designs that matter but also the money. 'We usually charge ₹300 to apply mehendi on both hands par jitna bareek design banwaoge utna price high hoga. Teej ke liye we are charging ₹3,100 for an intricate design that covers both hands and looks outstanding,' shares Ranveer Singh, a mehendi artist at New Friends Colony's Community Centre. Adding to this, Ravi Rajasthani, another artist in the same vicinity, says: 'Full haath waali mehendi ka ₹2,000 for both hands price hai aaj ke din. In this we make floral patterns where Radha and Krishna figures are on jhoola.' Ghewar gets a fruit-ful twist No festival is complete without sweet treats, and when it's time for Teej then ghewar is an absolutely essential indulgence! 'Khoya, malai and rose ghewars toh banate hi thay, but now we have lots of new varieties like mango, blueberry, and even biscoff. For the kids, we are especially making chocolate ghewars this Teej,' informs Shekhar from Kanwarji's in Chandni Chowk, which was established in 1850, and are today getting equal number of orders offline and online. For Teej, specifically, preparations begin a month in advance. Shivam Kumar from Gulab in Pitampura shares, 'Kesar Ghewar is our signature dish but we also make Kunafa Ghewar and Paneer Ghewar... Usually we sell at least a thousand ghewars in the week of Teej, and seeing this demand we have also introduced a sugar-free variant and more fruit flavoured ghewars like Kiwi Ghewar that's less sweet.' Story by Pragati Vishwakarma and Aditya Zharotia For more, follow HT City Delhi Junction
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
A visit to Sitamarhi in Bihar
'I love this!' said Taran, looking at an intricately patterned painting of people and animals in bright colours, as he put his bags down in the guest room. Taran and family were visiting friends in Sitamarhi, Bihar, about 130km away from Patna. 'Oh! You are looking at an art style that is the pride of this region: Mithila. It is called Madhubani or Mithila art and is traditionally done by women. They paint on mud walls using natural colours from berries and flowers. These days, you can spot it on paper, fridge magnets and sarees too,' said their host. 'It's very cool. I love the symmetrical fish,' he said, stepping closer for a better look. 'The art is usually inspired from Nature and mythology. Geometrical designs are used too,' said their host, adding, 'In fact, Goddess Sita is said to have been born here in Sitamarhi. She is also a big inspiration for Madhubani art. This evening, let's go to the Sita temple revered by locals and tourists alike.' 'Sita Mata was born here?' asked Taran. 'The Ramayana tells us that Sita had a very unique birth. She was found as a baby while her father, King Janaka, was ploughing the field in this area. That is why this region has a lot of spiritual and cultural importance.' Exploring They visited the Goddess Sita's temple that evening. There were many devotees milling about. Later, they headed to a location called Panth-Pakar. 'There really isn't much to see here. Just an old banyan tree. But it is very special.' It was a hot day, so Taran's mother sat down under the shade of the tree. Appa chimed in, 'It is claimed that Queen Sita rested here on her way to Ayodhya after her marriage to Rama. Now our modern-day queen also rests here.' He smiled at Amma. She smiled back, seeming pleased with the analogy. 'I think our king should find us some local snacks and take us shopping,' she retorted. 'Haha! I'm sure Goddess Sita didn't worry about snacks and had loftier thoughts,' countered Appa. Taran joined the fun. 'Modern queens have modern problems and finding yummy snacks seems fitting to the occasion.' Their host added his mite. 'May I present the perfect Bihari snack: Litti Choka? I know just the place for it.' Everyone piled back into the car and headed back into town, each lost in their own thoughts of the day, till the wafting smell of mustard oil at the restaurant brought them back to the present. 'Litti!' Taran's family said in unison.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Rajendra Sonia turmeric sees huge surge in demand
1 2 3 4 Patna: A variety of turmeric, 'Rajendra Sonia', developed by Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU)-Pusa, is witnessing a huge surge in demand nationwide because of its high curcumin content. Significantly, this particular variety of turmeric contains a high curcumin content, ranging from 6% to 8.5%, making it a much sought-after commodity for its medicinal properties. Curcumin, a key component of turmeric, is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. According to the agricultural scientists, its high concentration in 'Rajendra Sonia' makes it an attractive option for various applications, including pharmaceutical and food industries. RPCAU's vice-chancellor P S Pandey told this newspaper that the demand for 'Rajendra Sonia' turmeric is increasing across states, with many institutions and organisations seeking to cultivate it locally. The variety's high quality and certified curcumin content have contributed to its growing popularity. "The university's efforts to promote 'Rajendra Sonia' turmeric are expected to benefit the farmers significantly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AirSense 11 – Smart tech for deep sleep ResMed Buy Now Undo With the GI tagging of specific products, including Shahi litchi and Madhubani paintings, farmers can expect higher prices for their produce. For instance, the GI tagging of 'marcha dhan chura' from Motihari has already led to a significant increase in its price, benefiting local farmers," he said, adding that the university is working on identifying specific elements in various crop varieties to enhance their demand and value. RPCAU's scientist A K Mishra reported that the institution has sold over 347 quintals of 'Rajendra Sonia' turmeric seeds to institutions and organisations in several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. "The university has also distributed 130 quintals of Rajendra Sonia turmeric seeds to the farmers in the state, enabling them to cultivate and sell the crop at a higher price. This initiative is expected to boost the income of farmers and promote the cultivation of high-quality turmeric in the region," Mishra added.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
40% increase in agri production in last 11 years: Union minister
Patna: Union minister for agriculture and family welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday called upon agricultural scientists to develop advanced technologies, including portable fertiliser testing tools, in response to farmers' demands so that India could become a developed nation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking as the chief guest at the fourth convocation of Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) at Pusa (Samastipur), Chouhan emphasised that since most Indian farmers operate on small landholdings, there is a greater need for compact, efficient machinery rather than large-scale equipment. More than 850 scholars of the university received their degrees, and nearly 20 of them were awarded gold medals at the convocation. Union minister of state for agriculture and farmers welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, and the state's deputy chief minister and agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha also attended the convocation. The minister called for research focused on extending the shelf life of perishable agricultural produce like litchi and tomato. He also urged the students to put their knowledge and research to practical use and contribute to ensuring food security of India. Chouhan pointed out that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the country's food reserves are abundant. "We are now exporting wheat, and there was a significant increase in rice production as well. The production of food grains reached such levels that additional storage facilities are being arranged in the country," he said. "There has been 40% increase in agricultural production and Basmati rice exports worth Rs50,000 crore in the last 11 years under PM Modi govt, and we need to increase production per hectare," Chouhan said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The minister also emphasised the importance of promoting natural farming as a sustainable solution to safeguard the planet for future generations. He called upon the degree recipients to adopt farming as their careers and implement their knowledge in ensuring the implementation of natural farming. He further said, "Samastipur is the gateway to Mithilanchal, the sacred land of King Janak and Goddess Sita, who is an inspiration to women in India." The convocation was held in accordance with the traditions of the age-old Mithila culture, as the guests were wearing Mithila paag (headgear) with Madhubani painting on the occasion Speaking on the occasion, state deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that Bihar launched a number of schemes to promote the production of millets, pulses, and oils. RPCAU scholars engaged in research on these crops are being paid a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000, besides an annual contingency grant of Rs one lakh. Furthermore, the industries department has also set up an innovation and incubation centre on this campus, the minister said. RPCAU's vice-chancellor P S Pandey, in his annual report, pointed out that in the last nine years after its central takeover; the university developed 23 new varieties of different crops and 27 new agricultural techniques. Kashvi Kajal and Parna Chatterji were awarded the visitor's gold medals for UG topper students across the colleges. The chancellor's gold medal for the overall PG topper was awarded to Aditi Banik and Amimsha Limboo Subba. The vice-chancellor's gold medal to PhD toppers was awarded to Debabrata Nath and Jeevitha. Patna: Union minister for agriculture and family welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday called upon agricultural scientists to develop advanced technologies, including portable fertiliser testing tools, in response to farmers' demands so that India could become a developed nation. Speaking as the chief guest at the fourth convocation of Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) at Pusa (Samastipur), Chouhan emphasised that since most Indian farmers operate on small landholdings, there is a greater need for compact, efficient machinery rather than large-scale equipment. He also called for research focused on extending the shelf life of perishable agricultural produce like litchi and tomato. More than 850 scholars of the university received their degrees, and nearly 20 of them were awarded gold medals at the convocation. Union minister of state for agriculture and farmers welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, and the state's deputy chief minister and agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha also attended the convocation. Chouhan pointed out that under the leadership of the PM Modi, the country's food reserves are abundant. "We are now exporting wheat, and there was a significant increase in rice production as well. The production of food grains reached such levels that additional storage facilities are being arranged in the country. This marks a record growth in agricultural output," he said. The minister also emphasised the importance of promoting natural farming as a sustainable solution to safeguard the planet for future generations. He called upon the degree recipients to adopt farming as their careers and implement their knowledge in ensuring the successful implementation of natural farming. The convocation was held in accordance with the traditions of the age-old Mithila culture, as the guests were wearing Mithila paag (headgear) with Madhubani painting on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, state deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that Bihar launched a number of schemes to promote the production of millets, pulses, and oils. RPCAU scholars engaged in research on these crops are being paid a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000, besides an annual contingency grant of Rs one lakh. Furthermore, the industries department has also set up an innovation and incubation centre on this campus, the minister said. RPCAU's vice-chancellor P S Pandey, in his annual report, pointed out that in the last nine years after its central takeover; the university developed 23 new varieties of different crops and 27 new agricultural techniques. It was also awarded 13 patents on its innovations, besides a GI tag on 'Marcha Dhan', a variety of paddy, during the period. The university introduced several new PG diploma and certificate courses, including AI, IoT, big data analytics, drone technology, and e-marketing, with a view to meeting the needs of modern agriculture, he added. Kashvi Kajal and Parna Chatterji were awarded the visitor's gold medals for UG topper students across the colleges. The chancellor's gold medal for the overall PG topper was awarded to Aditi Banik and Amimsha Limboo Subba. The vice-chancellor's gold medal to PhD toppers was awarded to Debabrata Nath and Jeevitha.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Union agri minister urges scientists to develop compact machinery for farming, fertiliser testing tools
Patna: Union minister for agriculture and family welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday called upon agricultural scientists to develop advanced technologies, including portable fertiliser testing tools, in response to farmers' demands so that India could become a developed nation. Speaking as the chief guest at the fourth convocation of Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) at Pusa (Samastipur), Chouhan emphasised that since most Indian farmers operate on small landholdings, there is a greater need for compact, efficient machinery rather than large-scale equipment. He also called for research focused on extending the shelf life of perishable agricultural produce like litchi and tomato. More than 850 scholars of the university received their degrees, and nearly 20 of them were awarded gold medals at the convocation. Union minister of state for agriculture and farmers welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, and the state's deputy chief minister and agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha also attended the convocation. Chouhan pointed out that under the leadership of the PM Modi, the country's food reserves are abundant. "We are now exporting wheat, and there was a significant increase in rice production as well. The production of food grains reached such levels that additional storage facilities are being arranged in the country. This marks a record growth in agricultural output," he said. The minister also emphasised the importance of promoting natural farming as a sustainable solution to safeguard the planet for future generations. He called upon the degree recipients to adopt farming as their careers and implement their knowledge in ensuring the successful implementation of natural farming. The convocation was held in accordance with the traditions of the age-old Mithila culture, as the guests were wearing Mithila paag (headgear) with Madhubani painting on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, state deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that Bihar launched a number of schemes to promote the production of millets, pulses, and oils. RPCAU scholars engaged in research on these crops are being paid a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000, besides an annual contingency grant of Rs one lakh. Furthermore, the industries department has also set up an innovation and incubation centre on this campus, the minister said. RPCAU's vice-chancellor P S Pandey, in his annual report, pointed out that in the last nine years after its central takeover; the university developed 23 new varieties of different crops and 27 new agricultural techniques. It was also awarded 13 patents on its innovations, besides a GI tag on 'Marcha Dhan', a variety of paddy, during the period. The university introduced several new PG diploma and certificate courses, including AI, IoT, big data analytics, drone technology, and e-marketing, with a view to meeting the needs of modern agriculture, he added. Kashvi Kajal and Parna Chatterji were awarded the visitor's gold medals for UG topper students across the colleges. The chancellor's gold medal for the overall PG topper was awarded to Aditi Banik and Amimsha Limboo Subba. The vice-chancellor's gold medal to PhD toppers was awarded to Debabrata Nath and Jeevitha.
