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Gandhi Jayanti
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Gandhi Jayanti is marked by prayer services and tributes all over India, including at Gandhi’s memorial Raj Ghat in New Delhi where he was cremated.
backdrop of the national tricolour. In a tribute to Gandhi, The Honorable Prime Minister has released a coin of ₹150 on his 150th birthday. Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh also paid tributes at Rajghat.
ecation free’ and success of the Swachh Bharat Mission and launch a war against plastic. An exhibition titled ‘Picture Postcards for Gandhi’ to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and his contribution towards environment was held at M.F. Hussain Art Gallery of Jamia Millia Islamia.
Austin South Asian | October 2020
4 Tips To Help Prevent Electrical Fires At Home Electrical fires often occur unexpectedly in locations that may be hidden from view.
recognized testing laboratory, like UL, CSA or Intertek.
As the second most common type of home fire in the U.S., more than 40,000 electrical fires occur in American homes every year, resulting in hundreds of deaths, over 1,000 injuries and more than $1 billion in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
4. Consider Additional Protection: Arcing was the heat source in approximately three of five electrical home fires from 2012-2016, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
The exhibition was conceived, designed and curated by Prof. Farhat Basir Khan. Painting and essay competitions are conducted and best awards are granted for projects in schools and the community encouraging a non-violent way of life as well as celebrating Gandhi’s effort in the Indian independence movement. Popular activities include prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions and socio-political institutions. On Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birthday, he was paid different tributes. The Central Railway zone celebrated Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary Year by painting diesel locomotives with the Mahatma Gandhi’s picture on the
Congress workers took a mass oath to carry forward Mahatma Gandhi’s vision. Meanwhile, BJP chief Amit Shah flaged off the party’s nationwide Gandhi Sankalp Yatra. In the evening, PM Modi visited Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat to address 10,000 sarpanchs. He also declared India ‘open def-
Gandhi’s favourite Bhajan (Hindu devotional song), Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, is usually sung in his memory. Statues of Mahatma Gandhi throughout the country are decorated with flowers and garlands, and some people avoid drinking alcohol or eating meat on the day. Public buildings, banks and post offices are closed.
Navaratri
“With millions of Americans working and learning from home amid COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to take a few simple steps to protect your home and loved ones from electrical fires,” says Ashley Bryant, National Electrical Manufacturers Association Low Voltage Distribution Equipment AFCI Task Force co-chair.
(Continued From Page 01) Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratri. However, in practice, it is the postmonsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri that is the most observed in the honor of the divine feminine Devi (Durga). Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated yearly on 2 October. It is one of the official declared national holidays of India, observed in all of its states and territories. The festival is celebrated in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October. In the eastern and northeastern states of India, the Durga Puja is synonymous with Navaratri, wherein goddess Durga battles and emerges victorious over the buffalo demon to help restore Dharma. In the northern and western states, the festival is synonymous with “Rama Lila” and Dussehra that celebrates the battle and victory of god Rama over the demon king Ravana. In southern states, the victory of different goddesses, of Rama or Saraswati is celebrated. In all cases, the common theme is the battle and victory of Good over Evil based on a regionally famous epic or legend such as the Ramayana or the Devi Mahatmya.Celebrations include stage decorations, recital of the legend, enacting of the story, and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism. The nine days are also a major crop season cultural event, such as competitive design and staging of pandals, a family visit to these pandals and the public celebration of classical and folk dances of Hindu culture.
To make needed updates at home, consider these safety tips from the NEMA LVDE AFCI Task Force:
On the final day, called the Vijayadashami or Dussehra, the statues are either immersed in a water body such as river and ocean, or alternatively the statue symbolizing the evil is burnt with fireworks marking evil’s destruction. The festival also starts the preparation for one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays, Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami or Dussehra or Dashain.
3. Ensure Products Meet Safety Standards: To ensure the products you use at home comply with national safety standards, always look for the label of a nationally-
1. Take Care with Cords: Inspect cords regularly for signs of damage or wear and tear. Use extension cords properly and according to the load ratings for the product. Never overload them or run cords under furniture, carpets or rugs. 2. Examine Appliances: When using appliances, inspect them for signs of damage. Only use the appliance in its intended manner.
However, you can help prevent this dangerous condition from leading to a worst case scenario with ArcFault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs). AFCIs are designed to monitor the circuit for the presence of “normal” and “dangerous” arcing conditions in order to reduce the chance of your electrical system being an ignition source of a fire. An affordable, proven smart technology that provides a higher level of protection than standard circuit breakers, AFCIs have been a National Electrical Code requirement in new home building since 1999 for certain electrical circuits. To better protect your entire home, experts recommend requesting AFCI protection on all 15 and 20A branch circuits. To learn more about electrical fire prevention and AFCI technology, visit afcisafety.org. Electrical fires can be devastating and lethal. Fortunately, there are simple proactive steps every household can take that can help stop an electrical fire before it starts. (StatePoint)