Diwali Precautions

Diwali is a time of celebration for the whole family. There is lot of thrill involved, as one gets to burst many crackers and fireworks. However one needs to be very careful while handling fireworks. You don’t want to turn a celebration into a mishap. There are some Do’s and Don’ts which if followed carefully, will ensure you and your family a safe and joyous celebration.

The Do’s

* Make sure you buy Fireworks from a licensed shop

* Always keep the fireworks in a closed box

* Store crackers away from sources of fire or ignition, also keep them away from the reach of toddlers.

* Read the instructions and follow all safety precautions instructed with regard to the use of fire works.

* Burst crackers in open spaces like playgrounds and fields.

* Take care and light crackers at arms length using a taper.

* While lighting the crackers, stand at an arm’s length, away from the Cracker.

* Discard used fireworks in a bucket of water This way you can avoid people from stepping on to and hurting their feet from used fireworks which are thrown on the ground.

* Keep buckets of water and blankets ready, incase a firebreaks out

* Wear thick cotton clothes while bursting crackers, so as to ensure maximum safety from fire

* If your clothes happen to catch fire, do not panic just drop down on the ground and roll.

In case of Injuries.

* If you happen to suffer from any burns splash tap water (not ice water), on the affected area. Repeat the process till the burning sensation reduces.

* If fingers or toes are burned, try and separate them with dry, sterile, non-adhesive dressings. Rush the victim to the hospital immediately.

* Make sure the burned victim is breathing. If the victim’s airway is blocked open the airway, and if necessary begin rescue breathing

* Avoid any kind of friction or pressure on the burnt area.

* Cover the area of the burn with moist sterile bandage (do not use blanket or towel for covering the burns)

* Consult the doctor as soon as possible for proper medication. Consult an ophthalmologist immediately in case of eye injuries.

Don’ts

* Don’t burn crackers in crowded, congested places, narrow lanes, near sources of fire or inside the house.

* Don’t let children burst crackers unaccompanied by an adult. Keep an eye on them constantly.

* Don’t put fireworks in your pocket.

* Don’t cover crackers with tin containers or glass bottles for extra sound effect.

* Don’t dare to examine un-burst crackers…leave it!! Light a new cracker

* Don’t show the Dare-devilry of lighting crackers on own hands. One tends to light bombs, by bringing them close to the candle or incense, rather than bringing the incense close to the bomb. Avoid doing such feats, as there are chances of the firework falling on someone passing by.

* Avoid long loose clothes, as they are fast in catching fire.

* Don’t remove burnt clothing (unless it comes off easily), but do ensure that the victim is not still in contact with smoldering materials.

* Don’t try to burst the blisters.

 

"Have a safe Deepavali"

Happy Diwali - Festival of lights..!!!

Diwali is a significant festival in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, while it is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light".

In Hinduism, across many parts of India and Nepal, it is the homecoming of Rama after a 14-year exile in the forest and his victory over Ravana. In the legend,people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (dipa), thus its name Dipawali. Over time, this word transformed into Deepavali in Hindi and Dipawali in Nepali.

In Jainism, Diwali marks the attainment of nirvana by Mahavira on 15 October, 527 BC.

Diwali has been significant in Sikhism since the illumination of the town of Amritsar commemorating the return of Guru Har Gobind Ji (1595-1644), the sixth Guru of Sikhism, who was imprisoned along with 52 other Hindu kings at Fort Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir. After freeing the other prisoners, he went to the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in the holy city of Amritsar, where he was welcomed happily by the people who lit candles and divas to greet the Guru.

In India and Nepal, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians and Nepalese regardless of faith.

On the day of Diwali / Deepavali, many wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.

Lakshmi Puja

The deity of Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead. There are two legends that associate the worship of Lakshmi on this day.

According to the first legend, on this day, Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans, Samudra manthan.

The second legend (more popular in western India) relates to the Vamana avatar of Vishnu, the incarnation he took to kill the demon king Bali. Thereafter it was on this day, that Vishnu came back to his abode, the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi on this day, get the benefit of her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being.

In Tamil Nadu it is celebrated as Deepavali. Celebrate this with lighting deepams, firecrackers, wearing new dresses and Sweets. It is a big festival in Tamil Nadu. They Take Oil bath early in the morning and poosai. After that Crackers and a traditional Visit to the Temple.

Know what's on ur plate @ TASMAC

If you are among one who has a gala time at a TASMAC wine shop in suburban parts of Namma Chennai, better watch out what you are biting while you sip. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department authorities recently arrested two men from the Guduvancherry market who were selling crow meat on the pretext of Kadai meat which is a delicacy here.

Crow meat:

Interrogations have revealed that the duo had been regularly supplying crow meat to eateries attached to some wine shops in Redhills and adjoining areas. “It is really shocking to know that these men have been hunting crows, skinning them and selling it saying it to be Kadai meat for quite sometime.

They have revealed that the meat was supplied to wine shops as most customers fail to realise the difference in taste when inebriated.

Cat meat:

A month back, Forest Department authorities nabbed a few Narrikkurava men for selling cat meat after canvassing it to be rabbit meat.

The accused is said to have caught house cats, skinned them and chopped of their tails to make it look like a skinned bunny. Authorities believe that the meat was sold to some small time eateries in the suburban areas.

Please note down these landmarks when you are new to Chennai..!!

Chennai can be a very confusing place, especially when you don’t speak the language. To get to places, you will need to know the major landmarks in the city.The Central Railway Station is one such place. Located at Station Road, Central station is one from where you get all modes of transportation ranging from buses and autos to taxis and suburban trains.

Most of the buses running through central station are Parry’s or Broadway bound buses which are major landmarks in themselves. Buses like the 17 series, the 7s, the 18s, the 20s lead to and from Broadway, Parry’s, Iyyapanthangal, Kalaignar Nagar etc.The Marina Beach is a big landmark in Chennai, stretching from Fort St George in Besant Nagar up to a distance of 12 kms.

The major establishments that mark the stretch are Presidency college, All India Radio, Madras University, both the Chepauk and the Marina Campus, to name a few. Once you are at the beach, it is easier to figure out where you need to get to from there. A few kilometers ahead, you have the Chennai Beach train terminus, which is serviced by the Chepauk, Triplicane and Lighthouse stations of the MRTS line.

The Spencer’s Plaza, one of the biggest shopping malls in South East Asia according to Wiki, is located at Mount Road (also known as Anna Salai). It is referred to as one of the landmarks of a more modern Chennai. Once you are here, it is very easy to catch an auto or a bus to anywhere else in the city as it is centrally located.

The Tidel Park, located at Tharamani in South West Chennai, is one of Chennai’s biggest landmarks. It is one of India’s major IT parks and is located just 3 kms away from the Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station. CMBT or Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, located at Koyembedu, is a huge landmark in Chennai. It has buses to virtually everywhere in the city including Parry’s, Thiruvanmiyur, Thiruvottiyur and Ennore.

In addition to this, there are also a whole host of buses passing through CMBT.Now that you know what they are, it is enough that you identify these landmarks to know which area you are in. That way, even if you’ve lost your way, you will be able to get back on track.

All about Chennai..!!

The name Chennai is a shortened form of Chennapattinam, formerly known as Madras which is derived from Madraspattinam, a fishing village north of Fort St. George. It is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the fifth most populous city in India. Located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. The city was established in the 17th century by the British, who developed it into a major urban centre and naval base.

Chennai's economy has a broad industrial base in the automobile, technology, hardware manufacturing, and healthcare industries. The city is India's second largest exporter of software, information technology (IT) and information-technology-enabled services (ITES). A major chunk of India's automobile manufacturing industry is based in and around the city.

The city has a vibrant theatre scene and is an important centre for the Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form. The Tamil film industry, known as Kollywood, the second largest movie industry in India.

Come on friends let’s start our run from today around Chennai to rediscover things and use this platform to bring them into light.