Festive Season In India

From the beginning of October India is dipped in colors of celebration till the end of November.  It starts with the nine days puja of divine goddesses, festival named ‘Navaratri’ continues with Dussehra and ends with the biggest celebration time of Diwali.  Festivals like Govardhan Puja and Bhai Duj also come in succession.  Exact dates of the festivals are set according to the Hindu Lunar Calendar.  The rituals performed during the festivals are:-

(a) NAVARATRI- Navratri is a nine night and 10 days festival for worshipping the three divine goddesses, Durga (Goddess of power), Lakshmi (Goddess of virtue), Saraswati (Goddess of wisdom).  First three days are celebrated as Durga Puja, next three days are for Lakshmi Puja and then Saraswati puja. These are celebrated all over the country twice in a year as a period of joy and dance.  This period ends with the puja of Kuwari Kanya (the Holy virgin) on the ninth night of the festival which is celebrated as ‘Rama Navami’.  This year Navratri starts from    16th Oct 2012 till 23rd Oct 2012.  In earlier times, this festival was also associated with the fertility of Mother Earth. Thus, on the first day of the celebration, grains of barley are planted in the puja room of the residence and are watered every day.

b) DUSSEHRA-  Dussehera is a Hindu festival also known as Vijaya Dashmi.  It is the most important day of the festival, it symbolizes victory of good over evil.  The epic Ramayana tells the mythological story of Hindu Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana (King of Lanka).  On the day of celebration, the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath are set on fire.  In 2012, it will be celebrated on 24th Oct.  On the day of Dussehra, the nine days old sprouts were put behind the men’s ear as a symbol of luck.

(c) DIWALI- Diwali implies as Deepavali in certain provinces. It is celebrated as a festival of lights. The festival is celebrated on 20th day after Dussehra. According to Hindu Mythology it was the day when Lord Rama returned to their kingdom after 14 years of exile along with his wife Sita and brother Laxmana.

  On the night of Diwali, all the houses, shops and buildings are illuminated with lamps, candles and lights.  Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi are worshipped for wealth and prosperity.  People wear new dresses and exchange presents and sweets.  Children set off crackers to mark the end of festive season.  In 2012, Deepavali will be celebrated on 13th Nov.

UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION – 2012

The United States Presidential Election 2012 will be the 57th quadrennial presidential election, to be held on 06 Nov 2012, in which the presidential electors elects the President of US on 17 Dec 12. In this election, the Democratic Party candidate, incumbent President Barack Obama nominates himself for the second and the final term.  His main contender is former Massachusetts Governor, Republican Mitt Romney.  Other than that, the Liberaterian Party nominee Gary Johnson, a former new Mexico Governor and the Green party nominee Jill Stein are also contesting the elections.

     The modern nominating process of this election is Primary and caucuses process.  These processes are   spread out  in between the month of January and June before the Federal Elections.

   

Primary Elections are run by State and Local Government whereas the Caucuses are to be done by the political parties.  The candidate wins with the maximum number of votes becomes the Presidential nominee of that party. Each party’s presidential nominee votes for Vice Presidential nominee to run with them on the same ticket.  This choice of vice presidential nominee needs to be rubber stamped by the conference.

    The entire process of Presidential election will take about two years.  The presidential nominee of each party needs to engage in a debate.  The topics discussed in the debate are the most important issues of the time.  The main aim of this debate procedure is to enlighten public about their views on main issues.

 

 A candidate needs at least 270 votes of electoral college to become President.  It is likely that President Barack Obama will win this election.