Current Affairs - Festivity

The 14th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival was held in Sirarakhong Village, Ukhrul district of Manipur, celebrating the state’s GI-tagged Hathei chilli. This chilli is known for its bright red colour, strong aroma, and medium pungency, making it a unique agricultural product with significant culinary and commercial value. The festival blended cultural showcases with economic initiatives such as buyer-seller meets, market linkages for farmers, and tree plantation drives under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. By promoting agri-tourism and biodiversity, the event highlights Manipur’s rich cultural identity and commitment to sustainable agricultural development.

Purple Fest 2025 was organised in Noida on 10–11 September 2025 by the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) in collaboration with Amity University. The event aimed to celebrate the dignity, creativity, and empowerment of Divyangjan, featuring art exhibitions, entrepreneurship stalls, cultural programs, and rehabilitation education. It promoted a rights-based perspective that views disability not as a limitation but as a source of strength, aligning with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. By bringing together policy, purpose, and participation, the festival reinforced the importance of equality, inclusion, and respect as fundamental rights for persons with disabilities.

Meghalaya has introduced its Autumn Calendar 2025 as part of a cultural and tourism initiative designed to showcase the state’s rich traditions, natural beauty, and growing role as a global cultural hub. The calendar includes major attractions such as the internationally recognised Cherry Blossom Festival, grassroots music projects that empower local artists, international kayaking competitions, motorsport events, and literary dialogues. These activities not only promote Meghalaya as a vibrant tourism destination but also stimulate the local economy by creating income opportunities in hospitality, handicrafts, and services. By blending culture, sports, and sustainability, the Autumn Calendar strengthens the state’s identity and enhances global exposure.

Telangana has announced plans to celebrate the Bathukamma festival on the lines of Brazil’s Rio Carnival, aiming to draw international tourists to the state. Bathukamma is a floral festival dedicated to goddess Gowri, where women create beautiful floral arrangements and participate in vibrant cultural festivities. This year, the celebrations will begin on the 21st at the Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal. The state also aspires to set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of women. By promoting Bathukamma globally, Telangana seeks to showcase its rich cultural heritage and boost tourism opportunities.

The Nuakhai festival is one of the most important cultural and agrarian celebrations of Odisha, particularly in the western region of the state. Observed annually on the panchami tithi of the Bhadraba month, it symbolises the first consumption of the newly harvested rice after offering it to the deity. The festival emphasises gratitude for agricultural abundance, family unity, and community bonding. Rich in rituals such as Beheren, Lagna Dekha, and Bali Paka, Nuakhai is not just about harvest but also cultural identity, marked by traditional Sambalpuri attire, folk dances like Dalkhai and Rasakeli, and vibrant social gatherings across Odisha.