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Odia women in Canada and UK bond over ‘Sabitri Brata'
Odia women in Canada and UK bond over ‘Sabitri Brata'

Time of India

time2 days ago

  • General
  • Time of India

Odia women in Canada and UK bond over ‘Sabitri Brata'

1 2 Bhubaneswar: Odia women living abroad observed 'Sabitri Brata', which signifies the power of love, faith and determination. Added to it was the bonding and bonhomie that they have experienced since their childhood when their grandmothers, mothers, aunts and others from the neighbourhood used to offer the rituals together. Recalling how they grew up seeing their mothers, grandmothers and aunts observe the occasion, Subhashree Dash, a teacher in Ottawa, said, "When I initially moved to the Bay Area in California, it was heartening to find Odia women continuing these traditions. After I came to Canada, I took the initiative to organise the puja and invited other women." Like in India where women go shopping for puja items and fruits, those living abroad shared shopping and puja preparation responsibilities among themselves, while the saris were either bought online or during their visits to Odisha. "As many as 30 women took part in the rituals. We readied the puja thalis containing items like sindoor, bangles and most importantly the 'brata', among others," Pallabika Das, a homemaker from Dublin, said. Devi Sabitri's idol was prepared with 'haldi', 'kumkum' and 'kajal', among others, and the story of Sabitri was read out, an important part of the rituals. The aim of most women living abroad is to observe the 'brata' so that their children learn about the traditions and follow it later. "It is also an occasion to strengthen the bonding among women from the Odia community. It brings a sense of belonging and pride," Sabita Pradhan, an IT professional from Kent, UK, said. Some women said the 'Sabitri Brata' reflects their spiritual values. "Every married Odia woman values its significance. It's a privilege to celebrate the day following traditions even in a foreign land," Pallabika added.

Odia women in Canada, Ireland & the UK celebrate Sabitri Brata
Odia women in Canada, Ireland & the UK celebrate Sabitri Brata

Time of India

time2 days ago

  • General
  • Time of India

Odia women in Canada, Ireland & the UK celebrate Sabitri Brata

Bhubaneswar: Odia women residing in Canada, Ireland and the UK celebrated Sabitri Brata. Recalling how they grew up seeing their mothers, grandmothers and aunts celebrate the occasion, Subhashree Dash, a teacher in Ottawa, said, "When I initially moved to the Bay Area in California, it was heartening to find Odia women continuing these traditions. After I came to Canada, I took the initiative to organize the puja and invited other women." Like in India where women go shopping for puja materials and fruits, those living abroad shared shopping and puja preparation responsibilities among themselves, while the saris were either bought online or during their visits to Odisha. "As many as 30 women took part in the rituals. We readied the puja thalis containing items like sindoor, bangles and most importantly the 'brata', among others," Pallabika Das, a homemaker from Dublin, said. Goddess Sabitri's idol was prepared with haldi, kumkum and kajal, among others, and the story of Sabitri was read out, an important part of the rituals. The aim of most women living abroad is to observe the 'brata' so that their children come to know about it and follow it later in their lives. "It is also an occasion to strengthen the bonding among women belonging to the Odia community. It brings a sense of belonging and pride," Sabita Pradhan, an IT professional from Kent, UK, said. As some women put it, the Sabitri brata reflects their spiritual values. "Every married Odia woman values its significance. It's a privilege to celebrate this day in a ritualistic way even in a foreign land," Pallabika added.

Ahilyabai an exemplar of women empowerment: CM
Ahilyabai an exemplar of women empowerment: CM

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Politics
  • Time of India

Ahilyabai an exemplar of women empowerment: CM

1 2 Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday lauded Ahilyabai Holkar as a pioneering social reformer and exemplar of women empowerment and good governance during her state-level 300th birth anniversary celebrations at Jayadev Bhawan here. Majhi emphasised Ahilyabai's enduring legacy in Indian history, citing her commitment to justice, courage and public service. He drew parallels between her governance principles and contemporary initiatives, including the state's Subhadra Yojana scheme for women's empowerment. Majhi also highlighted recent developments in women's leadership, referencing defence minister Rajnath Singh's briefing on Operation Sindoor and women's crucial role in the maintenance of national security. "Operation Sindoor symbolises female power. Operation Sindoor is not just the 'name' of a military operation; it is a symbol of female power," Majhi stated, connecting it to local traditions like 'Sabitri Brata'. He said a few days ago, 'Sabitri Brata' was celebrated. "Sati Sabitri fought with god of death, Yamraj, for her sindoor. To uphold the dignity of that sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a solemn vow," he said. Majhi further said that anyone who looks at the sindoor of the women of this country with contempt will surely meet Yamraj. "This is the warning given by the PM. This country is in safe hands. The whole nation echoes today, 'If Modi is there, we are safe'," he said. Assembly speaker Surama Padhi, Deputy CM Pravati Parida, and minister for language, literature and culture, Suryabanshi Suraj, among others, were present. The event featured the launch of an Odia book titled 'Karmayogini Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar'.

Women across state mark Sabitri Brata with fasting and prayers
Women across state mark Sabitri Brata with fasting and prayers

Time of India

time26-05-2025

  • General
  • Time of India

Women across state mark Sabitri Brata with fasting and prayers

Bhubaneswar: Women across Odisha observed Sabitri Brata on Monday with traditional fervour, praying for the long life and well-being of their husbands. Dressed in festive attire and traditional jewellery, married women thronged temples, performed rituals, offered prayers and undertook a day-long fast. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi wished women on the occasion and wrote on X post, "The great festival of Odia culture and tradition, I extend my best wishes and greetings to all the married mothers and sisters. I pray for a long and blessed married life for every married woman." Apart from the huge rush in temples, women were also seen gathered under banyan trees in different localities across the city, reading the legend behind Sabitri Brata on the occasion. "Every year, I observe this fast with full faith and hope. It is a festival that celebrates the strength of love and prayer," said Subhashree Sahu, a devotee at Budheswari Temple in the city. Social media is flooded with posts of people wishing each other on the festival, and women, including many celebrities, posted their pictures after completing puja. The transgender community also observed the festival with much fanfare and celebrated the rituals. "Spiritual practices are not confined to gender. For the transgender community, Sabitri Brata holds special significance as we observe the fast and pray for their guru or mentor's long life. On this festival, we share a strong bond within the community," said Menaka Kinnar of the Nayapalli area in the city. Female inmates in jails across Odisha were also allowed to observe the festival. Special arrangements were made by the prison authorities to enable them to perform the rituals inside the prison premises. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bhubaneswar: Women across Odisha observed Sabitri Brata on Monday with traditional fervour, praying for the long life and well-being of their husbands. Dressed in festive attire and traditional jewellery, married women thronged temples, performed rituals, offered prayers and undertook a day-long fast. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi wished women on the occasion and wrote on X post, "The great festival of Odia culture and tradition, I extend my best wishes and greetings to all the married mothers and sisters. I pray for a long and blessed married life for every married woman." Apart from the huge rush in temples, women were also seen gathered under banyan trees in different localities across the city, reading the legend behind Sabitri Brata on the occasion. "Every year, I observe this fast with full faith and hope. It is a festival that celebrates the strength of love and prayer," said Subhashree Sahu, a devotee at Budheswari Temple in the city. Social media is flooded with posts of people wishing each other on the festival, and women, including many celebrities, posted their pictures after completing puja. The transgender community also observed the festival with much fanfare and celebrated the rituals. "Spiritual practices are not confined to gender. For the transgender community, Sabitri Brata holds special significance as we observe the fast and pray for their guru or mentor's long life. On this festival, we share a strong bond within the community," said Menaka Kinnar of the Nayapalli area in the city. Female inmates in jails across Odisha were also allowed to observe the festival. Special arrangements were made by the prison authorities to enable them to perform the rituals inside the prison premises.

Women across Odisha mark Sabitri Brata with fasting and prayers
Women across Odisha mark Sabitri Brata with fasting and prayers

Time of India

time26-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

Women across Odisha mark Sabitri Brata with fasting and prayers

Bhubaneswar: Women across Odisha observed Sabitri Brata on Monday with traditional fervour, praying for the long life and well-being of their husbands. Dressed in festive attire and traditional jewellery, married women thronged temples, performed rituals, offered prayers and undertook a day-long fast. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi wished women on the occasion and wrote on X post, "The great festival of Odia culture and tradition, I extend my best wishes and greetings to all the married mothers and sisters. I pray for a long and blessed married life for every married woman." Apart from the huge rush in temples, women were also seen gathered under banyan trees in different localities across the city, reading the legend behind Sabitri Brata on the occasion. "Every year, I observe this fast with full faith and hope. It is a festival that celebrates the strength of love and prayer," said Subhashree Sahu, a devotee at Budheswari Temple in the city. Social media is flooded with posts of people wishing each other on the festival, and women, including many celebrities, posted their pictures after completing puja. The transgender community also observed the festival with much fanfare and celebrated the rituals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Banheiro escorregadio? Barra de apoio vira febre no Brasil Evite quedas e escorregões Saiba Mais Undo "Spiritual practices are not confined to gender. For the transgender community, Sabitri Brata holds special significance as we observe the fast and pray for their guru or mentor's long life. On this festival, we share a strong bond within the community," said Menaka Kinnar of the Nayapalli area in the city. Female inmates in jails across Odisha were also allowed to observe the festival. Special arrangements were made by the prison authorities to enable them to perform the rituals inside the prison premises.

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