Wish You Happy Deepavali

One of the most popular festivals in the country, Diwali or the festival of lights is a much-awaited festival in the country, and is celebrated with much pomp and splendor. Asklaila gives you the low-down on how the city gears itself up for the upcoming celebrations.
Significant Legends:
As per legend, Diwali is celebrated as the return of the victorious Ram after defeating Ravan, and to signify the end of evil, rows of lamps were lit to welcome Ram and Sita after being in exile for 14 years. Besides this, other significant legends include the end of Narakasura by Satyabhama (Lord Krishna’s wife).
Traditions:
Diwali is usually a five-day festivity. The first and second day is known as Dhanteras and mini Diwali respectively. During these two days, gold, silver and utensils are purchased as well as prayers are done. The third day sees a day of new clothes, sweets, gift-giving, and bursting of fire crackers, while houses and colonies bask in the warm glow of diyas. This continues for the next two days, and is celebrated all over the country, albeit in different ways.
Shopping:
Treat yourself, and your kins to the festive occasion, and pick up traditional apparel from Mysore Silks, Nalli , and Prasiddhi to name a few. Or if you happen to have deep pockets, then pick up designer apparel or two from Ritu Kumar’s or Priya Simran amongst others. Compliment this with jewellery from Tanishq , Krishnaiah Chetty , Ganjam and Orra. That’s not all, pick up some funky footwear from popular stores like Metro , Inc 5 and Soles besides others. With the festive season on in full swing, head on over, and avail of the many discounts and special offers happening in the city. For more details, click here. Besides this, malls too will be bustling with special festive offers.
Head to Cracker Bazaar and Sri Lakshmi Bazaar to purchase your favourite fireworks, or check you local neighborhood playgrounds where many cracker stalls are set-up.
Sweets & Savouries:
What is a festival without sweets? Head to popular sweet shops like KC Das , Anand Sweets , Bhagatrams and Haldirams , and sweeten the deal. Dry-fruits are equally popular, too, and they can be easily purchased from any sweet shops and departmental stores like Spencer’s , All Saints and Food World to name a few.
Have a safe and happy Diwali!

Chandrayaan lifts off! Congratulations!

Congratulations to all team members involve in Successful launch of Chandrayaan-1. Congratulations to all Indians. We are in the list of Elite Lunar Club. I am taking proud to be an Indian. Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!

Incredible achievement for our country which could not manufacture paper clips before 61 years!
On the surface it looks like ISRO’s achievement but every one of us has contributed.
There are taxpayers who have paid for our space programme. There are primary teachers who have taught these scientists when they were kids. There are bus drivers who have carried them in time. There are policeman who have kept their homes safe. There are doctors who have kept them healthy.

Aaj puraanee janzeeron-ko toD chuke hain
Kyaa dekhen us manzeel ko jo chhoD chuke hain
Chaand-ke dar par jaa pahoonchaa hai aaj zamaanaa
Naye jagat-se ham bhee naataa joD chuke hain

Nayaa umanga-hai, nayee tarangen, ab hai nayee jawanee,
Ham hindustaanee!

Today we’ve broken old chains. Why should we look back to the achievements of the past? At the doorstep of the Moon is the world. And we are with it.This is the new spirit, new imagination and new youth. We are Indians!

India launched its first unmanned moon mission on Wednesday following in the footsteps of rival China, as the emerging Asian power celebrated its space ambitions and scientific prowess.
Chandrayaan-1 (Moon vehicle), a cuboid spacecraft built by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) blasted off from a southern Indian space center shortly after dawn in a boost for the country's ambitions to gain more global space business.
Chinese astronauts were feted as national heroes last month after their country's first space walk, and India did not want to be left behind.
"What we have started is a remarkable journey," G. Madhavan Nair, chairman of ISRO, told reporters.
India's national television channels broadcast the event live. Some scientists thumped their chests, hugged each other and clapped as the rocket shot up into space.
“The launch was perfect and precise. The satellite has been placed in the earth orbit. With this, we have completed the first leg of the mission and it will take 15 days to reach the lunar orbit,” "Even rain god is very kind on us" Nair announced in the mission control centre.