Tag Archives: pm narendra modi

Ujjain Mahakal Temple witnesses fire during ‘Bhasma Aarti’ time, 14 priests injured

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A blaze erupted within the inner sanctum of Ujjain’s revered Mahakal Temple on Monday morning, leaving 13 priests wounded during the traditional ‘bhasma aarti’ ceremony. Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh confirmed the incident, stating that a thorough investigation has been initiated.

“Thirteen priests sustained burn injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at the district hospital here. A magisterial probe has been launched,” Singh informed ANI.

Witnesses recounted that colored ‘gulal’ was being dispersed within the sanctum as part of the Holi festivities when an individual inadvertently cast it onto an earthen lamp, believed to have ignited the flames due to potentially reactive chemicals within the ‘gulal.’

Among the injured is Sanjay Guru, the chief priest overseeing the ‘bhasma aarti.’ Presently, nine individuals are reported to be in critical condition and have been transferred to Indore for specialized care.

Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma conveyed insights from an injured party, suggesting that ‘gulal’ had been mistakenly tossed onto priest Sanjeev, precipitating the fire upon contact with the lamp.

Mahakal temple corridor

In May 2023, the Mahakal Lok Temple corridor, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2022, witnessed six out of the seven Saptrishi statues displaced and two of them severely damaged after a massive thunderstorm. on May 29, 2023.

Usually, no minister or political leader prefers to stay in Ujjain as the popular belief is that Mahakal or Lord Shiva is known to be the ruler of Ujjain, hence, no other ruler can spend the night here.

 

Queen Elizabeth Showed me Gandhiji’s Gift – Khadi Handkerchief: Recollects Modi

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In his Mann ki Baath, PM Narendra Modi recollected the great gift-giving habits around the world and how Queen Elizabeth once showed him a hand kerchief woven in khadi by Gandhiji and sent to her as her wedding gift.

Referring to his Kerala visit recently, Modi said the P.N. Panicker Foundation encourages people to cultivate the habit of reading books and to enhance their awareness towards this, by organising celebrations such as ‘Reading Day’, and ‘Reading Month’. “I had the opportunity to go for the inaugural function, where I was told that instead of bouquets, they gift books. I liked it,” he said.

“When I was in Gujarat, I had set this tradition of welcoming, by not giving bouquets, but books or handkerchiefs instead. And that too, a ‘Khadi’ handkerchief, so that it promotes ‘Khadi’. Till the time I was in Gujarat, this habit had been ingrained in us, but after coming here, I had lost that habit. When I went to Kerala, it was rekindled. I have already begun to issue instructions in the government.”

A bouquet is very short, “You receive it in your hand for a moment and then abandon it. But when you present a book, it becomes a part of the household, a part of the family. One can also use a ‘Khadi’ handkerchief to welcome people, and be a support to the innumerable underprivileged. The expenses are reduced as well, and the gift is well utilized too.”

Recollecting his visit to London, he said Queen Elizabeth had invited him to dine with her and later she showed him a small thread-spun khadi handkerchief. With great respect and in an emotion filled voice, she told him that Mahatma Gandhi had sent this handkerchief to her as a wedding gift. “So many years have passed and yet, Queen Elizabeth has treasured the handkerchief gifted by Mahatma Gandhi. And she was happy to show it to me, when I went there.”

When he gazed at it, the Queen encouraged him to touch it. “A small gift by Mahatma Gandhi, has become a part of her life and a part of history,” he noted.  Modi said he would henceforth encourage people to give books or khadi handkerchiefs or gift. “I cannot say that if I go somewhere and somebody brings a bouquet I will refuse it. No, I won’t do that, but we will talk about it even though there is criticism, and then gradually, the change will happen.”