Latest news with #Tradition
The National
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Raksha Bandhan 2025: Why do Indians tie rakhi and exchange gifts and sweets?
The ancient Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brother and sister. During the annual celebration, sisters tie a rakhi, or string bracelet, around the wrist of their male siblings. The ritual is meant to cement bonds as well as protect the brothers from misfortune and the evil eye. The festival has evolved over the years, with the essence being the celebration of the brother-sister relationship. The day is a bank holiday in most parts of India and Nepal. The ritual is not limited to siblings, with cousins, friends and even colleagues tying rakhis. The person receiving the rakhi traditionally reciprocates in the form of money or gifts. Raksha Bandhan, which literally translates to 'bond of protection', is usually celebrated on the last day of Shraavana, the fifth month in the Hindu lunar calendar. This means the date changes annually, and this year, the festival falls between August 8 and 9. How is Raksha Bandhan celebrated? While various iterations exist, the tradition usually involves a ritual where the sister offers prayers and applies a tikka or vermilion paste on her brother's forehead. She then ties a rakhi around his wrist. The brother in turn proffers gifts and vows to protect her. The duo then feed each other sweets to celebrate their bond. Since the day is a public holiday in most parts of India and Nepal, it usually entails family visits and feasts, with many dressed in their traditional best. The festival is also a major commercial event, with shops, big brands and restaurants offering Raksha Bandhan deals. Many celebrities also join in, with everyone from Priyanka Chopra to Anushka Sharma celebrating. Bollywood star Akshay Kumar starred in a film called Raksha Bandhan in 2022, which is based on a brother's relationship with his four sisters. In an interview with The National, the actor said the family drama was one of the best films he's done. When is the best time to tie a rakhi? There are no specific timings for Raksha Bandhan, but in some cultures, sisters fast until they've offered prayers and tied rakhis on their brothers. As a result, the ritual is usually completed early in the day, with celebrations going on all day and into the evening. According to some astrologers, this year the Purnima Tithi, or auspicious time, begins at 3.42pm on August 8 and ends at 2.54pm the next day. So, rakhis can be tied at any time during that period. Evolution of rakhi designs The look of the rakhi has evolved over the years. The bracelets vary widely in price and design, from simple woven threads to bejewelled charms. Bluetooth rakhis are also popular. Available online and designed to look like a traditional rakhi, this high-tech version comes with an accompanying app allowing the sister to record her brother's vow of protection. For people looking for an environmentally friendly option, there are brands that offer colourful designs made with organic cotton threads. Some rakhis even come embedded with seeds that can be planted. In the UAE, gifts platform IGP has launched a range of rakhis and hampers for different budgets. The range includes Navratna rakhi (Dh55), adorned with nine gemstones, each representing a planet and symbolising good luck and prosperity. The Rakhi hamper (Dh255) includes two rakhis, made with semi-precious stones, as well as traditional Raksha Bandhan snacks in a luxury gift box. Vego, the plant-based cafe in Dubai, is also offering a range of rakhis starting at Dh15, as well as a Rakhi Essentials hamper comprising a range of chocolates and other snacks. Dubai-based catering and cloud kitchen brand Paprika has launched Raksha Bandhan gift boxes including a Rakhi Special mini box (Dh30), which contains four ladoo flavours, and a Rakhi Special 4 Dessert box (Dh200) comprising four desserts plus fresh flowers. Indian restaurant The Spicery in Deira is hosting a Raksha Bandhan meal on August 9 from 6.30pm to 11pm, where guests get a buy-one-get-one-free deal on select menu items, from paneer to biryani and naans. A version of this story was first published on August 19, 2024
Agriland
5 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Eu to Co Fund Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Promotion Campaign
The European Commission is to co-fund a Bord Bia information and promotional campaign for beef and lamb. The 'Sustainable European Beef and Lamb - Trusted Tradition, Technical Excellence' campaign will be funded to the tune of €3.46 million, with €2.77 million of that coming from the EU and some €690,000 coming from Bord Bia. The three-year campaign will promote European beef and lamb over the next three years in China, Japan and Singapore. The objectives of the programme are to develop increased awareness of the "high safety and quality standards" of EU beef and lamb as well as their attributes as natural, nutritional and sustainable products, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said. According to the department, the campaign will highlight the specific features of beef and lamb production methods within the EU and the programmes at farm and processing levels which verify their sustainability. Welcoming the co-funding decision, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said: "I am delighted to see the EU recognition and financial support for this Bord Bia programme on sustainable EU beef and lamb. "This campaign will provide the marketing edge for EU beef and lamb exports to capitalise on the significant market opportunities in China, Japan and Singapore." The minister said that the campaign will ultimately expand these important markets. "The programme will reinforce Europe's ambition to be the global reference for sustainable food production and sustainable nutrition. This ambition is also reflected in Ireland's own stakeholder led strategy for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030," Minister Heydon added. The co-funding was also welcomed by Minister of State for food promotion and new markets Noel Grealish. He said: "The programme gives Bord Bia the opportunity to continue the promotion, development and growth of EU beef and lamb in these key regions. "With current market uncertainty, the importance of on-going market diversification into these key markets cannot be understated. "Growing the presence of EU beef and lamb in China, Japan and Singapore will benefit the sector and this targeted campaign will help develop that growth, while also promoting the nutritional value and sustainability of EU beef and lamb," Minister Grealish added. Chief executive of Bord Bia Jim O'Toole said: "Promotional campaigns that have EU support give EU producers and processors immediate access to some of the top meat buyers in China, Japan and Singapore. "EU co-funded campaigns help Bord Bia to showcase quality products to buyers in these priority markets; develop new relationships between exporters, and local importers and distributors, while also strengthening the business relationships exporters have already developed with stakeholders in these countries," O'Toole added.
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Belfast Highland Games like 'step back in time' for Islanders
Ray MacNeill dawned his traditional Scottish regalia for a step back in time Saturday. He and his family were one of many in attendance at the Belfast Celtic Festival and Highland Games. "I'm kind of overdressed today, but I do wear the old regalia when I do go out to the games," he said. "It just goes [a] step back in time … for us anyway. But it's all about ceremony and tradition." MacNeill said he thinks it's important that members of his family attend to better connect to their roots. He said his family first arrived on the Island in 1808. His family tries to attend as many Highland Games as they can. The Belfast Pipe and Drum Band's traditional music filled the air during the first day of three at the event that highlights Scottish culture. Band member Sarrah Wood said she always wanted to play the bagpipes. "Not many kids had that same dream or aspiration that I did," said Wood, who joined the band in 2013. She has since performed across the Island, and even abroad. "Piping has been great, it's gotten me to travel all around the Maritimes, to Ontario and Scotland, and it's such a neat thing," she said. The Belfast event has been around for 158 years. COVID interrupted it for two years. "It's really nice to have the Belfast Highland Games back," Wood said. "It's a nice little piece of culture in Eastern P.E.I. and something that our band has kind of been missing as well." Community significance Michele McKenna, president of the Belfast Historical Society, said the event is about bringing the community together, but there is an educational component, too. There are a number of workshops available. One on Sunday will discuss the Belfast Riot of 1847.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Golf Has Never Been Cooler: How the Sport Conquered Pop Culture
Golf Has Never Been Cooler: How the Sport Conquered Pop Culture originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Golf used to be all stuffy country clubs and "quiet on the tee." Now? Travis Scott's dropping sold-out golf shoes and Snoop Dogg's talking about bringing more flavor to Augusta. Advertisement It's been incredible to watch. Sure, some golf traditionalists probably hate it, but honestly? I'm here for all of it. There is a place for the games tradition, and most who have started embracing golf over the past few years respect that. Here's the thing, though: if you stay stagnant, you die, or at least fade away into obscurity. I say respect and honor the tradition but embrace the new and exciting! I'm a PGA Professional, and I've watched this whole thing unfold. The sport I love has spent decades keeping people out with unspoken rules and intimidating traditions. What's happening now isn't just cool—it's necessary if golf wants to survive. Go to TopGolf any Friday night. You'll find people in their twenties drinking cocktails and smashing balls to Drake songs. Zero hushed reverence. Zero stuffy dress codes. This definitely isn't the golf your grandfather played, and that's precisely what makes it exciting. Advertisement I'll be unpacking all of this on Athlon Sports over the next few months—how pop culture is completely changing what golf looks like. Hip-Hop Owns Golf Now Tyler the Creator made golf part of his brand with Golf Wang. Golf polos became as cool as Supreme drops. Travis Scott took it further—his Nike golf shoes sell out faster than concert tickets. His Air Jordan 1 Low Golf "Neutral Olive" proved golf gear could be functional and fashionable. DJ Khaled recently teased a full Cactus Jack x Nike Golf collection. When golf collaborations generate sneaker-level hype, you know something major shifted. Snoop Dogg says golf needs more "cool." He's positioning himself as hip-hop's golf ambassador, pushing for outreach to inner cities to find "the next Tiger." When Snoop calls the sport "garbage" without Tiger Woods, he's highlighting why diverse representation matters. Advertisement I'll be exploring hip-hop's full impact on golf fashion and culture in upcoming pieces. Country Music Gets It Country artists and golf make perfect sense. Darius Rucker has hosted charity tournaments for over a decade. Jake Owen nearly went pro before an injury led him to music. Luke Combs loves golf so much that he gets featured on U.S. Open broadcasts. Country music and golf share values: outdoor recreation, competition, community. This crossover deserves its own deep dive, which I'll provide in future coverage. Bill Murray, left, and Darius Rucker pose during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Feb. 4, 2022. (Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports) Athletes Cross Over Michael Jordan's golf obsession is legendary. But Stephen Curry showed how golf complements other sports. His skills and youth golf initiatives prove the sport can be aspirational and accessible. Advertisement Tony Romo went from NFL quarterback to serious golfer with professional attempts. As someone who's worked with athletes transitioning to golf, their competitive drive inspires new demographics to pick up clubs. I'll examine specific athlete success stories and their cultural impact in upcoming articles. Michael Jordan watches Luke Donald during U.S. Open sectional qualifying at The Bears Club in Jupiter, Fla., on June 8, 2015. (Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post via Imagn Content Services, LLC) Hollywood Embraces the Course Bill Murray's Pro-Am antics have become legendary. The American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe is now must-watch TV. These events prove golf doesn't need to be serious to be compelling. When celebrities negotiate golf time into contracts or play before dawn to fit rounds in, they're saying golf is worth prioritizing. Advertisement Social Media Changed Everything Grant Horvat celebrates after winning the Content Creator Classic with a birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2025. (Garry Smits/The Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Golf's digital transformation democratized access like traditional media never could. Paige Spiranac built massive followings by making golf approachable. Good Good Golf turned golf into Netflix-level entertainment. TikTok created viral golf moments reaching audiences who might never visit traditional courses. As a PGA Professional, social media creators revolutionized golf instruction. They made golf feel accessible and fun when the traditional industry struggled for decades. I'll profile the most influential golf content creators and analyze how they're reshaping participation. Advertisement TopGolf Reimagined Golf TopGolf and Drive Shack reimagined golf as a social entertainment experience, rather than a solitary sport. When you can enjoy golf with friends over drinks and music, exclusivity barriers crumble. Golf Stays Cool, Gets Inclusive Golf maintained its aspirational appeal while becoming inclusive. It still represents success and leisure, but isn't confined to one demographic anymore. When DJ Khaled posts "Let's Go Golfing" to millions or Travis Scott hosts charity tournaments, they're redefining who belongs in golf culture. Jimmy Fallon, left, and DJ Khaled talk to the media at Edgewood Tahoe on Friday, July 12, 2024, ahead of their four-hole golf exhibition. (Jim Krajewski/RGJ / USA TODAY NETWORK) Golf embraced personality, style, and social media. The sport that once had strict dress codes now celebrates Travis Scott's backward Swoosh designs. Advertisement As a PGA Professional passionate about growing the game, this renaissance represents everything I hoped to see. Increasing multiculturalism and accessibility aren't just good business—they're essential for survival. When young people of all backgrounds get excited about golf because their favorite artist plays, we're headed in the right direction. Golf's cultural shift isn't about celebrity endorsements or social buzz—it's a fundamental move toward inclusivity. When hip-hop artists, country stars, and influencers find common ground on the course, golf figured out how to be aspirational and welcoming. Over the coming months on Athlon Sports, I'll explore each crossover in detail—celebrity athletes influencing participation, music and movies reshaping golf's image, individual influencers redefining what it means to be a golfer. This is just the beginning. Related: From Norwich to En-Joie: How a Small-Town Kid's Love Affair with the B.C. Open Shaped a Golf Career Related: The Story with Rory: McIlroy's Post-Masters Struggles Show Human Side of Greatness Related: Allow Me to Introduce Myself This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Furness Morris dancing group's hopes over future
A Morris dancing group, which was in danger of folding after 62 years, has been thrown a Morris, based in Ulverston, Cumbria, said up to five new members could be joining in the sessions were held in June, with some of those who attended in their Ord, who has been with the band for 50 years, said he had "a big smile" on his face when he saw younger people walking in. "They're in the age range that I was when I started," he said."If we've got enough new people, I'd happily pass on my knowledge and retire as it were."The group had hoped to attract new members so it could pass on the tradition of the English folk Ord, who is the band's second longest-serving member, said he was feeling "a bit more optimistic" about its future. Furness Morris was founded in 1963 and had 20 members in its numbers have dwindled to just eight and the band warned back in May it may not survive unless about half a dozen new dancers Ord said the band was "certainly going to carry on" in the immediate future, following the two recruitment sessions. "I'm a bit more optimistic than I was but we won't know really until after the summer when we get into practice season properly and see what people's commitments are to the group," he said. "We haven't called it a day, yet." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
