Moonj baskets with Ganga Kalash to be exhibited, sold at Maha Kumbh

Prayagraj: Prayagraj’s One District One Product (ODOP) handicraft made from Moonj grass will make its way into the Maha Kumbh 2025 in a big way.Chief development officer (CDO), Prayagraj, Gaurav Kumar said special baskets made from the GI tagged Moonj grass will be made available at stalls of the district administration, tourism department, as well as hotels and restaurants during the mega religious event. These baskets will contain a small vessel, named ‘Akshay Ganga Kalash’ (containing Ganga water) along with a laminated holy leaf of the Akshayvat tree in such a way to slow its drying process. Dhoop (incense sticks) made of cow dung and the logo of Maha Kumbh printed on the basket will make the basket unique.“We have decided that the baskets will be of different sizes priced between Rs 301 and Rs 501. Although we have not finalised the exact number of the baskets, the same would depend on the requirement as we are expecting crores of visitors this Maha Kumbh. What better opportunity will it be than to offer some gift made of our ODOP,” said Kumar.Kumar further said this innovation will bring a new revolution in the field of handicraft. “This will not only strengthen the economic condition of the craftsmen but will also spread the glory of local crafts all over the world. Preparations are being made on a large scale for this. A team of a total of 16 departments is being deployed along with the tourism and industry department,” he added.About 550 women from 55 groups of Maheva village, famous for Moonj products have been engaged for the task. Craftsmen from eight villages around Maheva, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chitrakoot, Banda, Mahoba, and Sidhi and Shahdol of Madhya Pradesh and Madhubani of Bihar will also be engaged. “For this, talks have started with the local administration of these districts. If the craftsmen of these districts get involved in preparing them, then 5 lakh baskets can be prepared in the next five months,” he said.The tourism department has been made the nodal agency and industry department as an assistant for the sale of the product.Sources said Moonj also has religious and mythological importance. Astrologer Pt Acharya Devendra Prasad Tripathi said Moonj is considered sacred it is one of the 10 types of Kush (grass) that is believed to have purifying properties and the virtues of Lord Vishnu.

Is the ice cream you are having made of vegetable oil? 5 reasons to avoid it

The article highlighted health concerns linked to ice cream and frozen desserts, emphasizing trans fats from vegetable oils. According to the FSSAI, ice cream must use milk fat while frozen desserts can use vegetable oil. Trans fats increase bad cholesterol, lower good cholesterol, and can lead to heart disease and other health issues when consumed regularly.

How this SC order has made caste census inevitable

The Supreme Court of India ruled that children of Scheduled Caste parents in urban schools cannot be equated with those in rural schools for reservations. The court overruled a 20-year-old prohibition on sub-classifying SCs for reservations, stirring expectations from the Centre and states. There's potential tension with the introduction of a creamy layer among Dalits.

'It cant have a dual character ... ': What Allahabad HC said on Mathura Eidgah case

The Allahabad High Court upheld the petitions seeking the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura, claimed to be built on the demolished Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. The Court ruled that the petitions are not barred by the Places of Worship Act, 1991, or other related laws. Next hearing is set for August 12.