New Delhi, April 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended greetings on ‘Poila Boishakh’, which marks the beginning of the Bengali New Year.

PM Modi took to social media to wish the people and prayed for everyone’s success.

“Greetings on Poila Boishakh! Best wishes on Poila Boishakh! I hope all your wishes are fulfilled in this year. I pray for everyone’s success, happiness, prosperity and good health. Shubho Nabo Barsho!” he wrote on X.

Poila Baisakh, also known as Pohela Boishakh, marks the beginning of the Bengali New Year. The day is celebrated with joy, cultural pride and enthusiasm by Bengalis worldwide.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in her greetings on the occasion, posted on her X handle that it is the ‘Bangla Day’ and prayed for strengthening the bonds of brotherhood.

“I sing in Bengali…’ ‘Bangla Day’ – Greetings to all citizens and best wishes to our younger brothers and sisters. May the traditional culture of the state be further developed, and may the bonds of brotherhood among the people of the state be further strengthened.”

Her message is significant given the fact that the state has witnessed violent protests over the Waqf Amendment Act, which have largely targeted the Hindu community.

Hundreds of Hindus have fled their homes in the Murshidbad district, where their properties were looted, burnt, and temples desecrated. Two have died in the violence so far.

West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari also called for unity in his New Year message.

He wrote on X, “Happy New Year! May the scorching summer heat of the month of Baishakh (1st month of the Bengali New year) purify the soul, In the interest of preserving the culture of reform, I call for unity, In the fight against injustice, truth will triumph, My greetings to everyone on the first day of the Bengali new year, Poyala Baishakh. At the beginning of the new year, I pray to Mother Bhavatarini for everyone’s well-being.”

Adhikari has been the leading voice for the affected Hindus in the violence-hit parts of the state. It was on his petition that the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of Central forces in the violence-affected areas.

Generally, Poila Baisakh 2025 is synonymous with happiness and a new beginning. Homes are beautifully decorated, new clothes are worn, markets are visited, and families come together over feasts. The day typically starts with devotees offering prayers at temples, seeking blessings for a prosperous year ahead. For business owners, it’s a time to inaugurate new ventures and begin fresh account books, symbolising growth and renewal. Farmers regard the day as the onset of a new agricultural season.

It’s a day for people to celebrate, connect and exchange warm ‘Noboborsho’ greetings. But this year, the day comes amid a wave of fear and apprehension, particularly among the Hindus living in Muslim majority pockets after the violent targeting during the protests against the new Waqf Law.

Srinagar, April 14: Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and President of the ruling National Conference (NC), Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his friendship with the rulers of Saudi Arabia to get the private Hajj quota restored.

The government of Saudi Arabia has slashed India’s private Hajj quota by 80 per cent.

Each year, many Muslims belonging to well-to-do families undertake the Hajj pilgrimage using the services of private tour and travel operators.

These tour and travel operators get a quota of pilgrims every year that they can send to Saudi Arabia over and above the Hajj quota allotted to India officially by the Saudi government.

Each year, hundreds of pilgrims use the services of private tour and travel operators to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is the holiest journey a Muslim can ever undertake in life.

Dr Farooq Abdullah said on Monday, “I appeal to the Prime Minister to use his personal influence on the Saudi rulers to restore the private Hajj quota. We (India) have very good relations with Saudi Arabia.

“The Prime Minister is a friend of the Saudi rulers. If they cannot increase the private Hajj quota, let them restore what we already had. It has implications on jobs of many people.

“And over and above everything else, Hajj is the lifelong desire of a Muslim. A Muslim saves all his life to afford the Hajj pilgrimage. It is one of the basic duties of a devout Muslim to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

“I will also tell Omar (Chief Minister) to write a letter to the Prime Minister to use his influence to get the private Hajj quota restored.”

On Sunday, former Chief Minister and President of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti also expressed concern at the development.

“Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80 per cent of India’s private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country.

“Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution”, she said on social media platform X.

Bhopal, April 14: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday announced that his government would make all necessary arrangements, similar to a pilgrimage, for those who wish to visit Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow), the birthplace of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, to pay tribute to the iconic leader.

This proclamation was made during a gathering in Ambedkar Nagar, formerly known as Mhow, in celebration of the 134th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasised the profound significance of the Dr Ambedkar Memorial in Ambedkar Nagar, along with other locations that symbolise his struggles and contributions to society.

He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to honour Dr Ambedkar’s legacy through the establishment of ‘Panchteerth’, a series of five sites intricately linked to his life’s journey. These include Ambedkar Nagar, where he was born; London, where he pursued his higher education; Nagpur, where he embraced Buddhism; Delhi, marking the site of his final moments; and Mumbai, where he was laid to rest.

Each of these locations has been selected to reflect pivotal milestones in Dr Ambedkar’s remarkable life. Yadav assured the audience that the state government would facilitate arrangements for those visiting Ambedkar Nagar to pay homage to the legendary reformer, who championed the cause of social equality.

In his address, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment, stating, “Our government will ensure comprehensive arrangements for everyone paying homage to Dr Ambedkar. No effort will be spared.” CM Yadav spoke passionately about Dr Ambedkar’s pivotal role in introducing reservations to promote equality for the underprivileged and his dedication to incorporating safeguards within the Constitution to secure India’s future. Over time, Ambedkar Nagar has become a revered pilgrimage destination, drawing devotees and admirers from across India and abroad, paying homage to Dr Ambedkar’s enduring legacy, he said.

His government has already launched a scheme named as Dr Ambedkar Animal Husbandry Development Scheme. It aims to bolster milk production and safeguard cattle welfare. Under the scheme, the state government supports individuals, mainly from scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and backward classes, managing 25 cows or buffaloes in a group, categorised as one unit. Participants are allowed to expand their operations to up to eight units, thereby encouraging growth in the sector. Preparations for the implementation of the scheme are set to commence this year, with the bidding process nearing completion.

The scheme extends its vision to support large-scale enterprises, providing grants to individuals managing up to 200 cattle for milk and dairy production, the chief minister said. This initiative aspires to foster rural economic growth, integrating modern innovations with traditional practices, while addressing the welfare of abandoned cattle. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow) has emerged as a major pilgrimage site for Dr Ambedkar’s followers, attracting visitors from across India and abroad.