Hundreds of supporters have started descending at the historic Ram Lila Maidan in New Delhi, where anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will break his 12 day-long fast at 10am on Sunday. After 12 days that had India on the edge, Anna Hazare is poised to end his fast, capping a day of highs and lows that saw a historic Parliament debate a possible anti-corruption legislation that ended with the broad acceptance of key demands of the social reformer.
The eight-hour debate, called on a weekend, saw parliamentarians pack both houses to dissect an issue that has held the nation in thrall since Aug 16, when 74-year-old Hazare began his fast for a strong bill to have a Lokpal institution to tackle pervasive corruption, prompting tens of thousands of people across the country take to the streets and bringing the government virtually to its knees.
Around 4,000 people stayed overnight at the protest venue while hundreds of others have started arriving early in the morning.
"I started at around 5 am as I wanted to ensure that I could be in the front row, so that I could witness Anna breaking his fast," said 37-year-old Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Ghaziabad who claims to be a die-hard Anna supporter.
There is a festive atmosphere at the ground, as people are singing and dancing to the tune of drums and celebrating "victory" of Hazare.
Another supporter Vijay Gupta, who had come along with his family from Lucknow said, he was "happy to be part of history in making."
"I am extremely happy that the government has conceded to the demand of Anna Hazare, the corruption is affecting everybody in the society and we want a very strong Lokpal Bill," he said amid chanting of slogans.
Meanwhile, heavy deployment of police personnel have been made in and around the venue.
People are hoisting flags and chanting slogans making the atmosphere festive and jubilant.
Demanding passing of Janlokpal Bill by the Parliament, Hazare went on fast from August 16.
Shimla, Aug 14 (PTI) Eight persons ended up killed along with seven others feared dead as a bus carrying a troupe of folk dancers from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir plunged into a deep gorge near Gamoor, 20 kilometer coming from here, police said right now.8 killed, 7 more feared dead as bus falls in gorge in HP Seven other persons were damaged as the 22-member troupe was on its way from Leh to Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh to participate in a three-day tribal fair beginning today when the bus met with the accident late last night, they said. "Seven individuals have been rescued while eight bodies have been recovered, " Vimal Gupta, SP, Lahaul and Spiti, instructed PTI over phone. The actual loss of life toll may be a lot more as seven persons were suspected to be trapped at the spot which is "too deep and dangerous", he said. "We utilised long basics to enable the rescue squads to reach the exact location.8 killed, 7 more feared dead as bus falls in gorge in HP Inclement weather conditions with piercing wintry winds following snowfall in the Valley made the rescue work very difficult but teams succeeded in reaching the spot and extricate the bodies from the wreckage of the bus, " the particular SP said.8 killed, 7 more feared dead as bus falls in gorge in HP Twenty-two people with the troupe were travelling while in the bus and chances of survival of the missing persons were very remote, he / she said, adding, the seven rescued people permanent injuries and were rushed to a hospital at Keylong.
History of Rakshabandhan The traditional Hindu festival 'Raksha Bandhan' (knot of protection) was came into origin about 6000 years back when Aryans created first civilization - The Indus Valley Civilization. With many languages and cultures, the traditional method to Rakhi festival celebration differs from place to place across India. Following are some historical evidences of Raksha Bandhan celebration from the Indian history.
Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun The story of Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun is the most significant evidence in the history. During the medieval era, Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. Rakhi at that time meant a spiritual binding and protection of sisters was foremost. When Rani Karnawati the widowed queen of the king of Chittor realised that she could in no way defend the invasion of the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun. The Emperor touched by the gesture started off with his troops without wasting any time.
Alexander The Great and King Puru The oldest reference to the festival of rakhi goes back to 300 B.C. at the time when Alexander invaded India. It is said that the great conqueror, King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the fury of the Indian king Puru in his first attempt. Upset by this, Alexander's wife, who had heard of the Rakhi festival, approached King Puru. King Puru accepted her as his sister and when the opportunity came during the war, he refrained from Alexander.
Lord Krishna and Draupathi In order to protect the good people, Lord Krishna killed the evil King Shishupal. Krishna was hurt during the war and left with bleeding finger. Seeing this, Draupathi had torn a strip of cloth from her sari and tied around his wrist to stop the bleeding. Lord Krishna, realizing her affections and concern about him, declared himself bounded by her sisterly love. He promised her to repay this debt whenever she need in future. Many years later, when the pandavas lost Draupathi in the game of dice and Kauravas were removing her saari, Krishna helped her divinely elongating the saari so that they could not remove it.
King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi The demon king Mahabali was a great devotee of lord Vishnu. Because of his immense devotion, Vishnu has taken the task of protecting bali's Kingdom leaving his normal place in Vikundam. Goddess lakshmi - the wife of lord Vishnu - has became sad because of this as she wanted lord Vishnu along with her. So she went to Bali and discussed as a Brahmin woman and taken refuge in his palace. On Shravana purnima, she tied Rakhi on King Bali's wrist. Goddess Lakshmi revealed who she is and why she is there. The king was touched by Her and Lord Vishnu's good will and affection towards him and his family, Bali requested Lord Vishnu to accompany her to vaikuntam. Due to this festival is also called Baleva as Bali Raja's devotion to the Lord vishnu. It is said that since that day it has become a tradition to invite sisters on sravan pournima to tie sacred thread of Rakhi or Raksha bandan.
raksha bandhan sms
*Your love makes me feel proud. And on this day I want to shout it out loud. Happy Raksha Bandhan my sister.
*God could not take care for the whole world so he has given mothers to each family. In the same way mother could not take care for the whole part of our life, so she had given brothers. Thanks for being my brother.
*You know that you are the most precious stone in the collection of my secret treasure.. Wishing you very Happy Rakhi and best of luck for every thing.
*May this auspicious occasion bring you all the prosperity and good luck in your way of life . Happy Rakshabandhan to you…
*I am sure you are not going to tie Rakhi for me this year and forever. But let me tell you this. You are my sweetest little sis though we are not blood related.
raksha bandhan images
raksha bandhan 2011 | History of Rakshabandhan | raksha bandhan sms, images and video songs
