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Monetization of Festivals
In a free market economy, all festivals, be it a religious festival or an agrarian one, are opportunities for motetization. See what has happened to Akhaya Trutiya- a typically agrarian festival. Or for that matter to Raja, another agrarian festival.
A four day festival, Raja marks the beginning of the agricultural year all over Orissa. It underlines, through biological symbolism, the moistening of the sun dried soil with the first showers of the monsoon in mid June thus making it ready for productivity. As it happens quite often in India (not uncommon in other countries as well) myths and legends get associated with such festivals. It is believed that the mother goddess Earth or the divine wife of Lord Vishnu undergoes menstruation during the first three days. The fourth day is called as Basumati gadhua or ceremonial bath of Bhudevi (mother Earth). The term Raja has come from Rajaswala (meaning a menstruating woman). As a symbolic gesture, women, especially unmarried girls take a break from household work for three days and make merry.
Gradually, thanks to the influence of the market, Raja is no longer an agrarian festival. It has become a shopping festival. ‘Buy new clothes’ exhorts the colourful banners in every bazaar. Even car and real estate companies are trying to cash on by offering discounts- ‘on occasion of Raja’.
I often wonder…
I often wonder, when is it right for us to speak out and when do we need to keep silent? When we see wrong in society, business, or politics, should we speak out or should we look the other way and say nothing? When someone attacks us personally, when do we need to turn the other cheek, and when do we need to stand up and confront?
Two Political Jokes
I collected them from facebook.
Pyaribabu & Navinbabu:
Hum unki dusmani me itni door nikal aye hein yaaro,….. hum unki dusmani me itni door nikal aye hein yaaro…..Ke ab Rikshe wala wapsi ka 100 rupaye mang raha he………!!
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Political Bureau dialing…. Party me join k liye-1…. MLA ban ne ke liye-2…. MP ban ne ke liye-3 dabayein.
Politician: Party Supremo ban ne ke liye kya dabaun?.....
Awaz Aai- Pehle wale ka Galaaa…..!!!
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