Akhanda Sundarakanda Pathanam held at Tirumala

Newswand: Sampoorna Akhanda Sundarakanda Pathanam was held at Dharmagiri Veda Vijnana Peetham of Tirumala for 16 hours uninterruptedly, praying Lord Venkateswara to protect the world from Covid Pandemic on May 31.

Nearly 40 Veda Pundits in four groups performed Pathanam of 2,821 slokas from all 68 sargas of Sundarakanda for 16 hours without interruption from 6 am to 10 pm.

Chief Archaka of Srivari temple Venugopal Dikshitulu said that Parayanams including Sundarakanda Pathanam, Bhagavadgita, Virat Parva, Dhanvanthri Maha Yagam and other dharmic and vaidika programs are being organised by Tirumala Tiruapti Devasthanam throughout the year for benefit of the humanity.

Speaking to media later, the principal of Dharmagiri Veda Vijnana Peetham KSS Avadhani said that the Sundarakanda Pathanam was taken up on the Sravana Nakshatram, the birth star of Sri Venkateswara with the objective of protecting the humanity from the pandemic Corona.

After chanting each sloka the pundits performed the rituals of Homa Dravya Samarpana and the entire event was live telecasted on SVBC channel for benefit of devotees to follow from their homes and have blessings of Sri Venkateswara.

SVBC CEO Suresh Kumar, Srivari temple Dy EOs Harindranath, Vijaya Saradhi, Loganatham, VGO Bali Reddy, catering officer GLN Shastri and other staffs were present.

Ends…

Telangana lockdown fresh rules and regulations

Hyderabad, May 31: Government of Telangana has extended the lockdown in the state for another 10 days and issued rules and regulations of the lockdown on May 30.

The latest order says in order to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, orders were issued imposing lockdown restrictions across the State of Telangana with effect from May 12 to May 30. The pandemic situation has been reviewed and it has been decided to extend the lockdown with certain modifications across the State of Telangana from May 31 to June 9.

As per the fresh guidelines there shall be complete lockdown in all parts of the State from 2 PM to 6 AM of the following day. The lockdown restrictions shall not apply from 6 AM to 2 PM.

However, all shops, offices, establishments etc. shall close by 1 PM.

Regulations

a. Passenger vehicles shall be regulated at the State borders and only passengers with E-passes will be permitted. However, movement of commodities shall be permitted without any restrictions.

b. All public transport services including TSRTC buses, SETWIN, Hyderabad Metro, taxis and auto rickshaws will be permitted from 6 AM to 2 PM only. However, movement of healthcare workers and passengers for accessing emergency medical services shall be permitted.

c. Operation of all Inter-State bus and transport services including those by private operators shall stand suspended.

d. Every person who is required to observe home isolation shall strictly observe the same failing which he / she will be liable for penal action and shifted to Government isolation facility.

e. Private shops / establishments / offices are permitted to function during the exempted hours with staff strength as per their requirements, duly following the Covid norms.

f. All Government, as well as private establishments shall make payment of wages / salaries fully to the workers / employees including those working under contract and outsourcing basis.

g. Marriage gatherings will be permitted with a maximum of 40 persons.

h. In funeral / last rites, maximum of 20 persons will be allowed.

i. All religious places / places of worship shall be closed for public worship.

j. All gatherings including Social / Political / Religious / Sports / Entertainment / Academic / Cultural are prohibited.

k. All Anganwadi centres shall remain closed. Children and pregnant women / lactating mothers will be provided take home ration during this period.

l. All pregnant women who are expected to deliver during the period will be listed, monitored and assisted by medical staff to ensure institutional delivery.

m. Temporary police check posts shall be set up at suitable locations to ensure strict compliance of the above orders. Permitted Activities

Exemptions

 The following activities, including movement of personnel and goods associated with these activities, shall be exempted from lockdown restrictions and will be permitted, subject to compliance with Covid appropriate behavior

a. Medical services like hospital and diagnostic centers, including vaccination and related activities.

b. Agriculture and related operations

c. Production, sale and supply of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides/insecticides, agricultural implements and spare parts etc. and movement of these items including those of harvesters, transplanters, tractors etc.

d. Procurement operations of agricultural and horticultural produce, including operation of rice mills, movement of produce and hamalies

e. Cold storage and warehouses

f. Medical shops and pharmacies

g. Manufacturing activity related to drugs and medical equipment

h. Movement of medicine, oxygen, vaccine etc.

i. Essential services like production and distribution of power, supply of drinking water

j. Sanitation services in Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies

k. MGNREGA works

l. Petrol pumps located on National Highways (Petrol pumps located in places other than national Highways shall be open between 6 AM and 1 PM only)

m. Banks/ATMs, Insurance services and related activities

n. Print and electronic media

o. Supply chain and transport of essential commodities, including milk, vegetables, groceries, dairy products, meat, fish, poultry etc.

p. All security services including those provided by private agencies

q. E-commerce (delivery) of goods and merchandise including food, pharmaceutical and medical equipment

r. IT and ITeS, including telecom, postal and internet services.

s. Movement and distribution of LPG cylinders

t. All construction and project activities, where workers are available in-situ or in secured labour camps

u. Pharma industry and related activities

v. In GHMC area, goods vehicles will be permitted from 9 PM to 11 AM for which no separate permissions / passes will be required

w. Only take away service from restaurants will be permitted.

x. Registration of documents and vehicles will be permitted with advance slot booking, duly following Covid protocols.

 Prohibited Activities

Cinema halls, amusement parks, clubs, swimming pools, bars, pubs, gymnasiums, stadia shall be completely closed.

Government Establishments

The following Department(s)/Offices of the State Government shall be fully functional, and their staff, vehicles and goods shall move freely all through the day.

a. Health, Medical and Family Welfare

b. Police Department

c. Urban Local Bodies/Panchayat Raj Institutions

d. Fire

e. Electricity and water supply

f. Taxation, Excise, Commercial Tax, Transport, Stamps & Registrations along with their societies and corporations.

g. Agriculture, Horticulture and allied departments

h. Civil Supplies department

i. All staff and officers drafted for Covid-19 related activities

j. Such other offices as may be notified by the Government from time to time

All other state government offices shall function with 50 per cent strength as per the roster drawn by the Heads of Offices. Office hours will be from 10 AM to 1 PM.  

All Central Government offices shall also function with the strength not exceeding 50 per cent.

Covid Appropriate Behaviour

Wearing of Face Masks is mandatory in all public places (including shops), work places and means of transport. In case of failure to comply, defaulters shall be liable for prosecution/fine.

Observance of social distancing in public places, particularly in crowded places like markets and public transport, is critical and shall be strictly ensured.

General Instructions

Any violation of the aforesaid instructions shall result in prosecution under Sections 51 to 60 of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Section 188 of IPC as well as other applicable laws.

No suit or legal proceedings shall lie against any person for anything done or intended to be done in good faith under these regulations.

Ends…

Rs 10 lakhs aid through ‘PM CARES for Children’

Centre to take care of children who became orphans due to Covid

Newswand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29 announced a number of relief measures to children who have lost parents due to COVID Pandemic.

He chaired an important meeting to discuss and deliberate on steps to support children who have lost their parents due to Covid-19. While announcing these measures the Prime Minister emphasized that children represent the future of the country and the country will do everything possible to support and protect the children so that they develop as strong citizens and have a bright future.

The Prime Minister said that in such trying times it is our duty, as a society, to care for our children and instill hope in their minds. All children who have lost both parents or has surviving parent or legal guardian/adoptive parents due to Covid 19 will be supported under ‘PM-CARES for Children’ scheme.  

Fixed Deposit in the name of the child

PM CARES will contribute through a specially designed scheme to create a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each child when he or she reaches 18 years of age. This corpus will be used to give a monthly financial support/ stipend from 18 years of age, for the next five years to take care of his or her personal requirements during the period of higher education and on reaching the age of 23 years, he or she will get the corpus amount as one lump-sum for personal and professional use.

School Education: For children under 10 years

The child will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar.

If the child is admitted in a private school, the fees as per the RTE norms will be given from the PM CARES.

PM-CARES will also pay for expenditure on uniform, text books and notebooks.

School Education: for children between 11-18 years

The child will be given admission in any Central Government residential school such as Sainik School, Navodaya Vidyalaya etc.

In case the child is to be continued under the care of Guardian/ grandparents/ extended family, then he or she will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar.

If the child is admitted in a private school, the fees as per the RTE norms will be given from the PM CARES.

PM CARES will also pay for expenditure on uniform, text books and notebooks.

 Support for Higher Education

The child will be assisted in obtaining education loan for professional courses / higher education in India as per the existing education loan norms. The interest on this loan will be paid by the PM CARES.

As an alternative, scholarship equivalent to the tuition fees / course fees for undergraduate/ vocational courses as per Government norms will be provided to such children under Central or State Government Schemes. For children who are not eligible under the existing scholarship schemes, PM CARES will provide an equivalent scholarship.

Health Insurance            

All children will be enrolled as beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) with a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakhs.

The premium amount for these children till the age of 18 years will be paid by PM CARES.

Ends…

Akhanda Sundarakanda Pathanam on May 31 at Tirumala

Newswand: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanm would organise a 16-hour uninterrupted Akhanda Sundarakanda Pathanam on May 31 at Dharmagiri Veda Vignana Peetham in Tirumala.

TTD Additional EO AV Dharma Reddy has informed this to the media. Speaking at Dharmagiri Veda Vignana Peetham the Additional EO said to ward off the ill effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, TTD has taken up several religious events in the last one year. 

As part of this Parayana Maha Yagnam, Akhanda Pathanam with slokas from all Sargas of Sundarakanda will be recited on May 31 from 6 am to 10 pm without any break by 40 Vedic pundits in four batches with 10 in each batch which will be telecasted live on SVBC for the benefit of global devotees.

As the program will be telecasted live for 16 hours non-stop, other scheduled programmes which are to be telecasted by SVBC remains cancelled on May 31 except for Srivari Kalyanam and Sahasra Deepalankara Seva which will be played in split form while Sundarakanda Programme is being continued. 

Veda Vignana Peetham Principal KS Avadhani, CEO of SVBC Suresh Kumar and other officials were also present.

Ends…

Purvaashadha Nakshatra Satra Yaga held at Tirumala

Newswand: Praying Lord Venkateswara to save the world from the Covid pandemic, Purvashadha Nakshatra Satra Yagam was held in Dharmagiri Veda Vignana Peetham of Tirumala on May 29.

 Principal of the Peetham KSS Avadhani has presided over the programme. Additional EO of TTD AV Dharma Reddy and TTD Board member Srinivas and others have participated in the programme.

Special Homam was performed as part of Satra Yagam from 10 am to 1 pm on My 29. The Nakshatra Satra Yagams have begun on May 9 and they would be continued up to June 15.

Yagas are performed for Krittika Star to Bharatni Star including Abhijith Star. Later Shothra Yagas would be performed to invoke the Gods Chandra, Surya, Mother Goddess Adithi and other divine entities.

Pundits told that people of the world would born under any star of the 27 stars and Satra Yagas for them would do good to them.

End…

TTD asserts that Anjanadri is birth place of Lord Hanuman

Newswand: Chairman of the Pundits Committee, constituted by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, and Vice-Chancellor of National Sanskrit University Professor Muralidhar Sharma has made it clear that many Puranas, and epical evidences clearly indicate that the Anjanadri, part of holy shrine of Tirumala, is the birth place of Lord Anjaneya.

Addressing a media conference at the University on May 27, the VC refuted the claims made by Sri Govindananda Saraswati Swami, Founder of Sri Hanumad Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, Hampi, who stated that Sri Anjaneya was born at Anjanahalli on the banks of river Pampa near Hampi in Karnataka, Muralidhara Sharma said the Swamiji was unable to prove his point with evidences.

He said the Govindananda Saraswati was invited to the university for discussion on the birth place of Lord Hanuman. Kuppa Vishwanatha Sharma has acted as moderator.

He said the arguments propounded by Sri Govindananda Swami were challenged with material evidences at the debate and he was also urged to accept that the evidences in Puranas were basic tenets of Hindu culture.

It was also appealed to the Swami to not belittle the TTDs endeavour as was done by him through his writings sent via mails.

After the literary and spirited debate the moderator Kuppa Vishwanatha Sharma declared that the findings of TTD Punditha Parishad were concrete and that the arguments of the Hampi Swami held no water as they lack proper evidences.

Members of the committee Acharya Ramakrishna, Acharya Shankara Narayana, Acharya Rani Sadashiva Murthy, Convenor Dr Akella Vibhishana Sharma were also present.

Ends…

It is a fake message

Newswand: The Press Information Bureau has stated that the message circulating in the social media, “Death within two years of getting Covid Vaccine” was fake and asked the people not to circulate the message.

Fact Check wing of the PIB has said that this message was fake and it should not be circulated. It has made it clear that Covid-19 Vaccine was completely safe and there is no need to fear about it.

A picture is getting circulated in the media that people who take the Covid vaccine, whichever, would die within two years. The photo of a French Nobel laureate has been added to the pick to make it authenticate.

The PIB has earnestly urged the people not to believe such messages and not to circulate them in the media.

Ends…

Super Blood Moon enthralls the world

Newswand: The moon has created wonder in the sky on May 26. A total Lunar Eclipse with super moon and blood moon features enthralled the world on May 26 (Wednesday). It was partially visible in India.

This celestial super phenomenon has taken place nearly two full years after the last total lunar eclipse. The last total lunar eclipse occurred on January 21, 2019. It is popularly referred to as the blood moon due to the reddish colour of the full moon.

The eclipse is also happening on the day when the Earth’s natural satellite will be at perigee—among the closest point on its orbit around the Earth—at a distance of just 3,57,311 km from its host planet. Therefore, the ellipse of May 26 is being referred to as the Super Blood Moon.

Though the eclipse will not be fully visible in India, some parts of the country are likely to witness it only for a short duration.

The lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, thereby obstructing the sunlight falling on the Moon. This cosmic event usually takes places during a full Moon.

A total lunar eclipse happens when the Sun and the Moon are on the two opposite sides of the Earth.

The total duration of the eclipse is expected to be 5 hours, 2 minutes. It is also referred to as the Blood Moon as some amount of sunlight manages to falls indirectly on the lunar surface through the Earth’s atmosphere, thus giving a red hue.

Ends…

412 days Mantra Parayana Yajna concludes at Tirumala

Newswand: The 412 days Mantra Parayana Yagna at Tirumala has concluded on Wednesday which has been held by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam seeking divine blessings of the God for the well being of humanity in view of Covid pandemic.

The Mantra Parayana Yagna included 350 days parayana of Sundarakanda. The Nada Neeranjanam platform reverberated with the recitation of 167 slokas from 58 sargas of Akhanda Sundarakanda on May 26.

Speaking on the occasion Sri Govindananda Saraswati Swami of Hampi said he was blessed to participate in the Sundarakanda Pathanam at Tirumala.

Sri KSS Avadhani, principal of Dharmagiri Veda Vijnana Peetham said the parayana mahotsavam was organised by TTD at Tirumala for the betterment of humanity, completed 412 days in all including 350 days of Sundarakanda Pathanam on May 26.

He said in the 14th edition of Akhanda Pathanam, 167 slokas were chanted by Veda pundits Sri PVLN Maruti, Sri M Pavan Kumar Sharma under supervision of Sri KSS Avadhani. 

Devotees across the world participated in the Pathanam Mahotsavam from their homes by watching the live telecast on SVBC between 7am and 9 am.

TTD additional EO AV Dharma Reddy vice-chancellor of National Sanskrit University Acharya Muralidhar Sharma, Dharmagiri Veda Vignana Peetham faculty members, Veda pundits and officials participated in the programme.

Ends…

Gadwal SP arranges vehicle for pregnant woman to go to hospital during lockdown time

Newswand: Police have helped a pregnant to reach hospital in time who was facing problems to go to get medical care due to lockdown in the state.

• 

Superintendent of Police of Jogulamba district J Ranjan Ratan Kumar arranged a vehicle for a pregnant to reach hospital.

A pregnant woman belonging to Gonupadu village of Gadwal Mandal of Jogulamba Gadwal district was seen by the SP who has been supervising implementation of lockdown in Gadwal town after 10 am. The pregnant was walking on the road along with her mother to reach the hospital as no vehicle was available to take her to the hospital.

The SP asked them where they were going and found that the pregnant need medical care and going by walk to the hospital. Immediately the SP arranged a vehicle for her and sent her to the hospital.

Ends…