Tag: full

  • RFK Jr has NFL star Aaron Rodgers’ full support ahead of confirmation hearing

    RFK Jr has NFL star Aaron Rodgers’ full support ahead of confirmation hearing

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will face a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday on Capitol Hill as he looks to take over as President Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary.

    New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been one of the loudest and proudest supporters of Kennedy, as he has been entangled in the political process, starting with the initial bid for president. Kennedy broached Rodgers to be his running mate during the 2024 presidential election – a moment that was captured on the Netflix docuseries “Enigma.”

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    Aaron Rodgers, left, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Getty Images)

    “Retire and go into politics or play two or three more years,” he said. “I definitely envisioned a life without football, and it wasn’t scary. I felt comfort in being able to move on at some point. But I love football. I want to keep playing. And I hated the way last year went. There’s still some unfinished business in New Jersey.”

    Still, Rodgers was strong in his support of Kennedy.

    He said on “The Pat McAfee Show” earlier this month that senators who were going to question Kennedy had better be ready.

    “Like, please, somebody try and get after him and just watch him absolutely mop the floor with any of these senators,” Rodgers said. “You better come ready senators, come ready and try and see if you can pull one over on my boy, Bobby, because Bobby’s f—— smart, dude. And no notes, off the cuff, can handle his own pretty well, so excited for him to – and honestly so should everybody.”

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    Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

    President Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr., sits in a meeting with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on Capitol Hill on Jan. 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

    Rodgers touched on Kennedy’s initiative to “Make America Healthy Again.” The movement appeared to be kick-started this week when the Food and Drug Administration banned red food dye due to potential cancer risk.

    “Like, if you spend a minute researching ingredients in products in the states compared to overseas, it’s disgusting,” the star quarterback said. “It’s disgusting what they allow here, the levels that they allow here, products that are terrible for you, products they know are carcinogenic. So it’s going to [be] as he’s doing a service to everybody if you just let him and get the hell out of the way and stop trying to label him as whatever the f— they want to label him these days. 

    “He just wants to make sure that everything that’s being given to our kids is safe, everything that we’re ingesting on a day-to-day basis is safe, and he’s going to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ or is going to freaking die trying.”

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    Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

    Rodgers has not made any more statements ahead of Kennedy’s hearing on Wednesday, but all signs indicate he will be watching.

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  • Dry Days in India For February 2025 With Festival & Event Dates: Get Full Calendar With Days When Alcohol Will Not Be Available for Sale in Pubs, Bars & Liquor Stores Across the Country

    Dry Days in India For February 2025 With Festival & Event Dates: Get Full Calendar With Days When Alcohol Will Not Be Available for Sale in Pubs, Bars & Liquor Stores Across the Country

    The second month of the year is just around the corner, and it is filled with fun celebrations, religious holidays, and days of political importance. Many people will be planning house parties or getaways for the holidays, taking advantage of long weekends, or organising lunch or dinner parties that might include alcohol. However, if you are planning any such event, a dry day could disrupt your plans. But what is a dry day? Dray days are specific days when the sale, purchase, or serving of alcohol is strictly prohibited in restaurants, liquor shops, bars, or pubs. So, you might want to make a note of the below list of dry days that will be observed in the country in February 2025. February 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Basant Panchami, Valentine’s Day, Maha Shivratri and More – Get Full List of Major Events in the Second Month of the Year.

    Dry days are very strictly observed in India in order to maintain public decorum and order the festival, celebration, or event. The restrictions are imposed by the government to honour the festival or event. Dry days often coincide with religious festivals, celebrations, or even political events. Hence, it is advised to stock up on alcohol beforehand so it can be enjoyed from the privacy of your home and it does not cause any inconvenience or impact your holidays and celebrations. If you’re wondering where to find a full list of upcoming dry days, look no further and simply scroll below. To help, we have curated a list of upcoming dry days in the month of February 2025.

    The below days have been marked as no-alcohol days or dry days. The list of dry days in February 2025 includes the Delhi elections, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2025, Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti 2025, and Maha Shivratri 2025 celebrations. List of Long Weekends in 2025 in India: Check Out the New Year Calendar for the Holiday Dates To Plan Vacations and Weekend Getaways.

    List of Dry Days in February 2025 With Festival & Event Dates

    Dates Days Festival/Event
    February 3–5 Monday – Wednesday Delhi Elections
    February 8 Saturday Delhi Elections
    February 19 Wednesday Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (Maharashtra)
    February 23 Sunday Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti
    February 26 Wednesday Maha Shivratri

    Dry days are not always observed across the entire country. Depending on the event or festival, it could be observed in the country, only a state, or a particular city. It depends entirely on what is being observed in the state or city. To know the exact dates of the dry days, always check with local authorities beforehand or refer to the guidelines issued by the state excise department.

    (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2025 02:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

  • ‘Full court press’: Freshman GOP lawmaker reveals blueprint to flip script on green energy mandates

    ‘Full court press’: Freshman GOP lawmaker reveals blueprint to flip script on green energy mandates

    Freshman GOP Rep. Gabe Evans spoke to Fox News Digital about the critical need for new energy policies in the United States and how he plans to push forward to overcome harmful green energy mandates like the ones in his home state of Colorado. 

    “We know that we need more energy, not less, for our modern lifestyle, and all of the different emerging technologies, for example, United Power, they’re actually my local electric co-op that supplies my energy, and United Power is forecasting a double to triple increase in the amount of power that they’re going to need over the next 10 to 20 years, driven not only by population growth, but driven also by a lot of the new technologies that we’re seeing,” Evans told Fox News Digital. 

    “Everybody knows about electric vehicles and the power that’s required there, and so whether that’s, you know, the switch to electric vehicles is driven by the free market or whether it’s driven by some heavy-handed government mandates, if you plug in something into the power grid, we need more power, and we need to make sure that we have a more robust power grid to deliver that and that all ties back to baseline energy generation,” he continued.

    Evans explained that “there’s also mandates in Colorado around things like electrifying drill rigs for a lot of the oil and gas, which is going to consume massive amounts of energy.”

    AMERICA’S ENERGY CRISIS IS HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT AND IT’S WORSE THAN YOU KNOW

    Fox News Digital recently spoke to GOP Rep. Gabe Evans (Fox News Digital/Getty)

    “So we have massive new demands for electricity around AI or computing, and these are things that are of critical national security importance, because if we’re not making sure that we’re the dominant power in AI and a lot of this advanced computing, a lot of our international competitors are going to move into the first place position in those spaces. And so really, our entire modern way of life revolves around energy and having more energy.”

    Evans told Fox News Digital that the United States, particularly Colorado’s 8th Congressional District which he represents, makes “some of the cleanest and most environmentally responsible energy anywhere on the planet.”

    “So being able to advocate for that, all of the above approach to meet the demands that we have for our modern way of life is something that I’m super excited to work on and on,” Evans said.

    ENERGY EXPERTS WEIGH IN AFTER CANADIAN PREMIER SAYS SHE WANTS TO DISCUSS KEYSTONE PIPELINE 2.0 WITH TRUMP

    Gabe Evans

    Former State House of Representative Gabe Evans works at the Colorado State Capitol  (RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

    Evans told Fox News Digital that Democrat-led energy policies in Colorado, along with other places, are actually causing a larger carbon footprint from green energy policies.

    “Follow the science,” Evans said. “So we’ve talked a lot about electricity. The question that often doesn’t come up in the space of electricity is what is the carbon footprint required to produce electricity? And in Colorado right now, the carbon footprint of our electrical grid is actually about 40% higher than the carbon footprint for pure natural gas,” Evans explained.

    “So if there is a natural gas school bus versus an electric school bus, if there’s a natural gas RTD as in our local mass transit system in the Denver metro area, if we have a natural gas RTD bus versus an electric bus, the electric buses are actually contributing 40% more carbon to the atmosphere because of the carbon footprint required to generate and transmit that electricity than just pure natural gas.”

    Evans told Fox News Digital it is imperative that Republicans work hand in hand with the Republican secretary nominees, who are yet to be confirmed, at the Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, and Environmental Protection Agency.

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    crude oil pump jack

    Crude oil pump jack (REUTERS/Angus Mordant)

    Chris Wright is the energy nominee, he’s also from Colorado, and so we have a preexisting relationship based on my time in the state legislature where I was the ranking member on our State Energy and Environment Committee,” Evans said. “But we really do have to work hand-in-hand together, and I think the American people understand that, which is why the American people gave majorities in the House and the Senate and then obviously the presidency to my party, because they understand that we need to have a full court press to be able to deliver these solutions.”

    Evans continued, “And it’s not just the House or the Senate or the presidency and the administration. We all have to be able to work together. And so being able to continue, you know, specifically in the energy space, the existing relationship that I have with some of these nominees is going to be critically important to achieving that ultimate goal of empowering energy producers, getting the good jobs that come from that industry, protecting our environment by actually producing responsible energy and then ultimately providing the good paying jobs that are so critical to solving the affordability crisis that we have right now.”

  • February 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Basant Panchami, Valentine’s Day, Maha Shivratri and More – Get Full List of Major Events in the Second Month of the Year

    February 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Basant Panchami, Valentine’s Day, Maha Shivratri and More – Get Full List of Major Events in the Second Month of the Year

    February 2025, the second month of the year, has arrived, bringing with it a wonderful blend of love and excitement. This month is filled with a variety of fun events, religious festivals, exciting celebrations, holidays, and key observances to look forward to. You may be wrapped in a cosy blanket and enjoying the chill of the winter season, or you might be enjoying the sandy beaches elsewhere; nevertheless, whether you are all snuggled up or soaking up the sun, February 2025 has plenty in store for everyone. If you are looking to plan ahead, do not miss these upcoming holidays and festivities! To help, we have curated a list of February 2025 holidays and festivals calendar that you can easily refer to by scrolling below. List of Long Weekends in 2025 in India: Check Out the New Year Calendar for the Holiday Dates To Plan Vacations and Weekend Getaways.

    In the first week of February, we have key celebrations and observances like Indian Coast Guard Day 2025, RA Awareness Day, Basant Panchami 2025, World Wetlands Day, World Cancer Day, Rosa Parks Day, Narmada Jayanti, World Read Aloud Day, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation and the much-awaited fun Valentine’s Week 2025 begins. These celebrations are followed by National Opera Day, Baba Amte’s Death Anniversary 2025, World Pulses Day, International Epilepsy Day, World Day of the Sick, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Safer Internet Day 2025, Darwin Day 2025, Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, Valentine’s Day, Singles Awareness Day and World Whale Day 2025.

    The next set of celebrations include the very fun Valentine’s Day 2025, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Mizoram Foundation Day, Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day 2025, World Anthropology Day, World Day of Social Justice, International Mother Language Day 2025, World Thinking Day, World Peace and Understanding Day 2025, and Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti. We end the month with major celebrations that include Central Excise Day, Maha Shivratri 2025, Veer Savarkar’s Death Anniversary, World NGO Day, Losar 2025, Rare Disease Day, and the start of Ramadan 2025. Refer to the below calendar for complete details. Hindu Festivals Calendar 2025: Know Dates of Holi, Chaitra Navratri, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Other Major Festivals in India.

    Full February 2025 Festivals Calendar

    Date Day Festival/Event
    February 1 Saturday Indian Coast Guard Day
    February 1 – 28 Saturday – Friday LGBT History Month (UK)
    February 2 Sunday RA Awareness Day
    February 2 Sunday World Wetlands Day
    February 2 – 8 Sunday – Saturday International Development Week
    February 2 Sunday Basant Panchami
    February 2 Sunday Groundhog Day
    February 3 Monday National Golden Retriever Day
    February 4 Tuesday National Day of Sri Lanka
    February 4 Tuesday World Cancer Day
    February 4 Tuesday Narmada Jayanti
    February 4 Tuesday Rosa Parks Day
    February 5 Wednesday World Nutella Day
    February 5 Wednesday National Weatherperson’s Day
    February 5 Wednesday World Read Aloud Day
    February 5 Wednesday National Girls and Women in Sports Day
    February 6 Thursday International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
    February 6 Thursday National Chopsticks Day
    February 7 Friday Rose Day
    February 7 Friday Surajkund Crafts Mela
    February 7 Friday National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
    February 8 Saturday National Opera Day
    February 8 Saturday Propose Day
    February 9 Sunday Baba Amte’s Death Anniversary
    February 9 Sunday Chocolate Day
    February 9 Sunday National Pizza Day
    February 10 Monday National Deworming Day
    February 10 Monday World Pulses Day
    February 10 Monday International Epilepsy Day
    February 10 Monday Teddy Day
    February 11 Tuesday World Day of the Sick
    February 11 Tuesday International Day of Women and Girls in Science
    February 11 Tuesday Safer Internet Day
    February 11 Tuesday Promise Day
    February 12 Wednesday Darwin Day
    February 12 Wednesday Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
    February 12 Wednesday National Productivity Day
    February 12 Wednesday Hug Day
    February 12 Wednesday Guru Ravidass Jayanti
    February 13 Thursday World Radio Day
    February 13 Thursday Sarojini Naidu Birth Anniversary
    February 13 Thursday Kiss Day
    February 13 Thursday Galentine’s Day
    February 14 Friday World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day
    February 14 Friday Valentine’s Day
    February 15 Saturday Lui-Ngai Ni
    February 15 Saturday Singles Awareness Day
    February 16 Sunday World Whale Day
    February 16 Sunday US Innovation Day
    February 17 – 27 Monday – Thursday Taj Mahotsav
    February 17 Monday Perfume Day
    February 18 Tuesday Flirting Day
    February 19 Wednesday Confession Day
    February 19 Wednesday Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti
    February 20 Thursday Mizoram Foundation Day
    February 20 Thursday Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day
    February 20 Thursday World Anthropology Day
    February 20 Thursday World Day of Social Justice
    February 20 Thursday Missing Day
    February 21 Friday International Mother Language Day
    February 21 Friday Breakup Day
    February 22 Saturday World Thinking Day
    February 23 Sunday World Peace and Understanding Day
    February 23 Sunday Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti
    February 24 Monday Central Excise Day
    February 26 Wednesday Maha Shivratri
    February 26 Wednesday Veer Savarkar’s Death Anniversary
    February 27 Thursday World NGO Day
    February 28 Friday Losar
    February 28 Friday National Science Day
    February 28 Friday Ramadan Starts
    February 28 Friday Rare Disease Day

    February promises to be full of fun and excitement! We hope this February 2025 festivals and holidays calendar proves to be useful and helps you plan your trips or vacations with ease.

    (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 28, 2025 02:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

  • Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Date in India: Get Ganeshotsav Full Calendar With Start and End Dates, Know the Significance of Madhyahna Kala, Rituals and Forbidden Moon Sighting Explained

    Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Date in India: Get Ganeshotsav Full Calendar With Start and End Dates, Know the Significance of Madhyahna Kala, Rituals and Forbidden Moon Sighting Explained

    Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Date in India: Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesh, the revered deity of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. This festival celebrated with grandeur across India, is observed during the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month, typically falling in August or September in the Gregorian calendar. Below, find out the Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 calendar with start and end dates, Ganeshotsav rituals, the significance of Madhyahna Kala and why moon sighting is forbidden. Hindu Festivals Calendar 2025: Know the Dates of Holi, Chaitra Navratri, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Other Major Festivals in India. 

    Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Dates and Shubh Muhurat

    Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 27, with the Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat (the most auspicious time for the ritual) occurring from 11:05 AM to 01:40 PM, lasting for 2 hours and 34 minutes. It marks the beginning of Ganeshotsav, and the grand festival culminates with Ganesha Visarjan (the immersion of the Ganesha idol) on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

    Ganesh Chaturthi Rituals

    Ganesh Chaturthi marks the start of Ganeshotsav, a ten-day festival that honours the birth of Lord Ganesh. The celebration concludes with Anant Chaturdashi, also known as Ganesh Visarjan day, when devotees partake in a lively street procession to immerse Lord Ganesh’s idol in water, symbolizing the deity’s return to his celestial abode. Purnima 2025 Calendar: Know Full Moon Dates, Poornima Significance and Fasting Rituals for the Auspicious Observance. 

    Significance of Madhyahna Kala For Ganesh Puja

    The worship of Lord Ganesh on Ganesh Chaturthi is performed during the Madhyahna Kala—midday, which is considered the most auspicious time for the Ganapati Sthapana (installation of the idol) and Ganapati Puja. According to the Hindu division of the day, the time between sunrise and sunset is divided into five parts: Pratahkala, Sangava, Madhyahna, Aparahna, and Sayankal. Among these, Madhyahna is the ideal time for performing the Shodashopachara Ganapati Puja, a detailed ritual that involves 16 steps of worship to honour the deity.

    The Forbidden Moon Sighting on Ganesh Chaturthi

    One important tradition associated with Ganesh Chaturthi is the prohibition of moon sighting. It is believed that seeing the moon on this day leads to Mithya Dosha (false accusations or dishonour). According to Puranic legends, Lord Krishna was falsely accused of stealing the Syamantaka jewel after he gazed at the moon on the same day. The curse, placed by Lord Ganesha, decreed that anyone who sights the moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi would incur Mithya Dosha and face dishonour in society.

    This mythological tale is why devotees avoid moon gazing during Ganesh Chaturthi, with the belief that observing the fast and performing the rituals correctly will ensure the removal of any such curses or misfortunes.

    Ganesh Chaturthi, therefore, is not only a time of joyous celebration but also a time for devotees to seek blessings for wisdom, prosperity, and spiritual growth while adhering to ancient customs and rituals passed down through generations.

    (Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on beliefs and legends only. Before applying any information in real life, consult the concerned expert.)

    (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2025 03:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

  • Holi 2025 Full Calendar With Dates of Choti Holi, Holika Dahan and Dhuleti: Know Shubh Muhurat, Rituals and Celebrations Across India

    Holi 2025 Full Calendar With Dates of Choti Holi, Holika Dahan and Dhuleti: Know Shubh Muhurat, Rituals and Celebrations Across India

    Holi, known as the Festival of Colors, is one of the most anticipated Hindu celebrations, marking the arrival of spring, a time of renewal, prosperity, and joy. This vibrant festival celebrates not only the season’s beauty but also the victory of good over evil and the enduring spirit of community. Holi is deeply rooted in ancient mythology, such as the story of Prahlad and Holika, symbolizing faith and the triumph of goodness. Additionally, it honours the divine love between Radha and Krishna, highlighting devotion through playfulness and joy. Below, find the full calendar of Holi 2025 with dates of Choti Holi, Holika Dahan, Dhuleti, Shubh Muhurat, rituals and celebrations across India. Hindu Festivals Calendar 2025: Know the Dates of Holi, Chaitra Navratri, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Other Major Festivals in India. 

    The joyous festival of Holi transcends religious and social boundaries, bringing together people from all walks of life. It encourages forgiveness, community bonding, and celebration, creating an atmosphere of shared happiness. Holi is a reflection of the colourful nature of Indian life, a time when individuals come together with open hearts and celebrate with enthusiasm.

    Holi 2025 Date and Shubh Muhurat

    Holi 2025 will be observed with great festivities, aligning with the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Phalguna. The specific dates for the two-day celebration are March 13 and March 14, 2025. The timings for the celebrations are based on the auspicious lunar calendar, adding an extra layer of tradition and significance to the festival. Purnima 2025 Calendar: Know Full Moon Dates, Poornima Significance and Fasting Rituals for the Auspicious Observance. 

    Holika Dahan (Chhoti Holi): Thursday, March 13, 2025

    • Start: 6:57 PM
    • End: 10:22 PM

    The Holika Dahan ceremony symbolises the burning away of evil, with people lighting bonfires to mark the occasion.

    Holi (Dhuleti): Friday, March 14, 2025

    • Start: 11:26 PM (on March 13)
    • End: 12:27 AM (on March 14)

    The second day, also called Dhuleti or Rangwali Holi, is celebrated with joy and excitement as people throw colours at one another, dance, sing, and indulge in festive foods.

    What Is Dhuleti (Rangwali Holi)?

    In some parts of India, particularly in Gujarat and Maharashtra, Holi is also referred to as Dhuleti. Celebrated on the day after the main festival, this day is dedicated to playing with vibrant colours. People cover themselves in coloured powders, dance to lively music, and share sweet treats, creating a festive and communal atmosphere that symbolizes the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

    Celebrating Holi Across India

    While Holi is celebrated widely across the country, it takes on unique traditions depending on the region:

    North India (Mathura and Vrindavan):

    The birthplace of Lord Krishna, these cities host some of the most energetic and famous Holi celebrations. One of the most well-known events is Lathmar Holi, where women playfully strike men with sticks, embodying the lively spirit of the festival.

    West India (Rajasthan and Gujarat):

    In Rajasthan, Holi celebrations include royal processions and traditional folk dances, while Gujarat is known for its matki phod ritual, where men form human pyramids to break pots filled with buttermilk.

    East India (West Bengal and Odisha):

    In West Bengal, Holi is celebrated as Dol Jatra, where idols of Radha and Krishna are swung on decorated swings, and people engage in singing, dancing, and playing with colours.

    South India (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu):

    While Holi is not as widely celebrated in the South, it is still observed by some communities with traditional music, dance, and the exchange of sweets. The focus here is often more on religious rituals and temple worship.

    Holi remains a festival of unity, harmony, and joy, transcending cultural and regional differences to bring people together in celebration of the colourful beauty of life.

    (Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on beliefs and legends only. Before applying any information in real life, consult the concerned expert.)

    (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2025 02:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

  • Gazetted Holidays 2025 Full Calendar: Check Public and Bank Holiday Dates for Central and Government Office in India

    Gazetted Holidays 2025 Full Calendar: Check Public and Bank Holiday Dates for Central and Government Office in India

    The Central Government of India has officially published the list of gazetted holidays for the year 2025, offering clarity on when government offices across the country will remain closed. This annual list serves as a vital reference for public offices, private companies, and individuals to plan their schedules for the upcoming year. Gazetted holidays are official holidays that all government institutions are required to observe. These holidays commemorate significant national, cultural, or religious events and are observed nationwide. On the other hand, restricted holidays are optional, allowing employees to choose based on personal preference, religious significance, or cultural importance. The availability and observance of restricted holidays may differ depending on the region or the specific organization’s policy. Hindu Festivals Calendar 2025: Know the Dates of Holi, Chaitra Navratri, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Other Major Festivals in India. 

    Gazetted Holidays 2025 Full Calendar

    Here is the official list of gazetted holidays for Central Government Offices in India for 2025:

    • Republic Day:  26-January, Sunday
    • Maha Shivaratri: 26 February, Wednesday
    • Holi: 14 March, Friday
    • Id-ul-Fitr: 31 March, Monday
    • Mahavir Jayanti: 10 April, Thursday
    • Good Friday: 18 April, Friday
    • Buddha Purnima: 12 May, Monday
    • Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid): 7 June, Saturday
    • Muharram: 6 July, Sunday
    • Independence Day: 15 August Friday
    • Janmashtami: 16 August, Saturday
    • Milad-un-Nabi (Id-e-Milad): 5 September, Friday
    • Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday: 2 October, Thursday
    • Dussehra: 2 October, Thursday
    • Diwali (Deepavali): 20 October, Monday
    • Guru Nanak’s Birthday: 5 November, Wednesday
    • Christmas Day: 25 December, Thursday

    Restricted Holidays 2025

    In addition to the gazetted holidays, employees can choose up to two restricted holidays from the following list:

    • New Year’s Day: 1 January, Wednesday
    • Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday: 6 January, Monday
    • Makar Sankranti / Magha Bihu / Pongal 14: January, Tuesday
    • Basant Panchami: 2 February, Sunday
    • Guru Ravi Das’s Birthday: 12 February, Wednesday
    • Shivaji Jayanti: 19 February, Wednesday
    • Birthday of Swami Dayananda Saraswati: 23 February, Sunday
    • Holika Dahan: 13 March, Thursday
    • Dolyatra: 14 March, Friday
    • Ram Navami: 16 April, Sunday
    • Janmashtami (Smarta): August Friday
    • Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chaturthi: 27 August, Wednesday
    • Onam or Thiruonam: 5 September, Friday
    • Dussehra (Saptami): 29 September, Monday
    • Dussehra (Mahashtami): 30 September, Tuesday
    • Dussehra (Mahanavmi): 1 October, Wednesday
    • Maharishi Valmiki’s Birthday: 7 October, Tuesday
    • Karaka Chaturthi (Karwa Chouth): 10 October, Friday
    • Naraka Chaturdasi: 20 October, Monday
    • Govardhan Puja: 22 October Wednesday
    • Bhai Dooj: 23 October, Thursday
    • Pratihar Shashthi / Surya Shashthi (Chhat Puja): 28 October, Tuesday
    • Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day: 24 November, Monday
    • Christmas Eve: 24 December, Wednesday

    The gazetted holidays listed above highlight the diverse cultural, religious, and national observances in India. They serve as a valuable tool for planning, ensuring that public and private sector employees alike can observe these important occasions with respect.

    (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2025 02:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

  • Dry Days in Mumbai 2025 List With Festival & Event Dates: Get Full Calendar With Days When Alcohol Will Not Be Available for Sale in Liquor Stores, Restaurants, Pubs & Bars in the City

    Dry Days in Mumbai 2025 List With Festival & Event Dates: Get Full Calendar With Days When Alcohol Will Not Be Available for Sale in Liquor Stores, Restaurants, Pubs & Bars in the City

    With the new year comes the excitement of vacation plans, long weekend getaways, and holiday parties all over again, as they are the times when everyone gets some time off. Holidays, getaways, and festivals are incomplete without good food and a variety of drinks. Many parties, whether in restaurants, clubs, or at home, involve alcohol. If you are planning special celebrations on major days, holiday weekends, or getaways during festivals in the new year, be sure to note these dry days. They can come as surprises and disrupt your carefully planned parties and gatherings. In India, dry days are observed on occasions of cultural, national, political, and religious importance. Dry Days in India in 2025 List With Festival and Event Dates: Get Full Calendar With Days When Alcohol Will Not Be Available for Sale in Liquor Stores, Pubs and Bars Across the Country.

    What Is a Dry Day?

    A dry day is when the sale, purchase, or serving of alcohol is strictly prohibited. These restrictions are imposed by the government to honour a festival or event and to maintain public decorum during the occasion. However, not all dry days apply to the entire country. Some days are specific to a certain state or city, while others, like Independence Day, Republic Day, or Gandhi Jayanti, apply to the entire country.

    To avoid any last-minute hassles or inconveniences, it is best to note the upcoming dry days in advance so they do not disrupt your celebrations. To help, we have curated a list of the upcoming dry days in Mumbai for 2025. Scroll below to find the complete 2025 calendar with month-wise days and dates that will be marked as dry days or no-alcohol days in the city. Hindu Festivals Calendar 2025: Know Dates of Holi, Chaitra Navratri, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Other Major Festivals in India.

    List of Dry Days 2025 in Mumbai With Festival & Event Dates

    Dates Days Festival/Event
    January 14 Tuesday Makar Sankranti
    January 26 Sunday Republic Day
    January 30 Thursday Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day
    February 19 Wednesday Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti
    February 26 Wednesday Maha Shivratri
    February 23 Sunday Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti
    March 14 Friday Holi
    March 31 Monday Eid-ul-Fitr
    April 6 Sunday Ram Navami
    April 10 Thursday Mahavir Jayanti
    April 14 Monday Ambedkar Jayanti
    April 18 Friday Good Friday
    May 1 Thursday Maharashtra Day
    May 12 Monday Buddha Purnima
    June 7 Saturday Eid-al-Adha
    July 6 Sunday Muharram
    July 6 Sunday Ashadhi Ekadashi
    July 10 Thursday Guru Purnima
    August 15 Friday Independence Day
    August 16 Saturday Janmashtami
    August 27 Wednesday Ganesh Chaturthi
    September 5 Friday Eid-e-Milad
    October 2 Thursday Gandhi Jayanti
    October 2 Thursday Dussehra
    October 20 Monday Diwali
    November 5 Wednesday Guru Nanak Jayanti
    December 25 Thursday Christmas

    The regulations for dry days may change based on government decisions and directives from local authorities. To confirm the exact dates, it is advisable to check the guidelines from the state excise department in advance. In addition, in case of any election days, they will also be marked as dry days.

    (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2025 06:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

  • Dry Days 2025 in Delhi Full Calendar: Get List of Holidays and Important Event Dates When Alcohol Will Not Be Available for Sale in Liquor Stores, Pubs & Bars in the National Capital

    Dry Days 2025 in Delhi Full Calendar: Get List of Holidays and Important Event Dates When Alcohol Will Not Be Available for Sale in Liquor Stores, Pubs & Bars in the National Capital

    Dry Days 2025 in Delhi Full Calendar: With the New Year come plans for vacations, getaways, and festive celebrations all over again. But a dry day can spoil these plans. So, what exactly is a dry day? In India, dry days are observed every year on days of national, political, religious, or cultural importance. On these days, the sale and consumption of alcohol are strictly prohibited in restaurants, pubs, liquor stores, and wine shops across the country. If your holiday plans or parties include alcohol, a dry day could put a damper on your celebrations, as they often coincide with festivals or significant events. Purnima 2025 Calendar: Know Full Moon Dates, Poornima Significance and Fasting Rituals for the Auspicious Observance.

    To avoid any last-minute disappointments, it is a good idea to check and note the dry days in advance. That way, you can plan your gatherings or events accordingly and ensure they take place without any hiccups. While days of national importance like Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti are observed as dry days in India, not all dry days are observed across the country. Some are specific only to certain states, depending on the occasion being observed or celebrated.

    Dry days are observed to ensure that people refrain from consuming alcohol during religious festivals, cultural events, or occasions of political importance. This helps maintain decorum and manage the public in a better way. So, what are the dry days in Delhi for 2025? Delhi will observe dry days on Republic Day, Eid-ul-Fitr, Independence Day, and more. Check the complete list for dry days 2025 in Delhi below. In addition to the below list, dry days could also be declared if there are elections or any other occasion of political significance. Hindu Festivals Calendar 2025: Know Dates of Holi, Chaitra Navratri, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Other Major Festivals in India.

    List of Dry Days 2025 in Delhi With Festival & Event Dates

    Dates Days Festival/Event
    January 26 Sunday Republic Day
    February 26 Wednesday Maha Shivratri
    February 23 Sunday Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti
    March 14 Friday Holi
    March 31 Monday Eid-ul-Fitr
    April 6 Sunday Ram Navami
    April 10 Thursday Mahavir Jayanti
    April 14 Monday Ambedkar Jayanti
    April 18 Friday Good Friday
    May 12 Monday Buddha Purnima
    June 7 Saturday Eid-al-Adha
    July 6 Sunday Muharram
    August 15 Friday Independence Day
    August 16 Saturday Janmashtami
    October 2 Thursday Gandhi Jayanti
    October 20 Monday Diwali
    October 20 Monday Dussehra
    November 5 Wednesday Guru Nanak Jayanti
    December 25 Thursday Christmas

    We hope you find this list helpful. However, it may change based on decisions by the government or local authorities. Hence, it is a good idea to check the updated dry days list with the state’s excise department beforehand.

    (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2025 06:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

  • Durga Puja 2025 Start and End Dates: When Is Mahalaya, Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijaydashami? Check Date-Wise Full Schedule of Bengali Durga Puja

    Durga Puja 2025 Start and End Dates: When Is Mahalaya, Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijaydashami? Check Date-Wise Full Schedule of Bengali Durga Puja

    Durga Puja is one of the most important and auspicious festivals in India, particularly in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, and Jharkhand. It honours Maa Durga, the goddess of strength, wisdom, and protection, symbolising the victory of good over evil. The festival spans several days and ends on the day of Vijaya Dashami. On the day of Vijaya Dashami, idols of Durga are immersed in water to signify her return to Mount Kailash, her celestial abode. Mahalaya marks the beginning of the festival, invoking Goddess Durga. It includes the recitation of hymns and mythological tales. Durga Puja 2025 will start on Saturday, September 27, and end on Thursday, October 2. Hindu Festivals Calendar 2025: Know Dates of Holi, Chaitra Navratri, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Other Major Festivals in India. 

    Durga Puja is generally observed over five main days—Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami. The festival begins with the unveiling of the Goddess and the rituals start with welcoming Maa Durga and invoking her presence in the idol through Bodhon. During Durga Puja, puja is performed in homes and in pandals. Elaborate, artistic structures are set up as temporary temples, showcasing creative themes ranging from mythology to contemporary issues. Durga Puja celebration begins with Mahalaya, which falls on September 21, 2025. Below, find the full schedule of Durga Puja 2025 start and end dates. Purnima 2025 Calendar: Know Full Moon Dates, Poornima Significance and Fasting Rituals for the Auspicious Observance. 

    Durga Puja 2025 Start and End Dates

    Day Date Puja and Rituals
    Durga Puja Day 1 September 27, 2025 Bilva Nimantran
    Durga Puja Day 2 September 28, 2025 Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon, Amantran and Adhivas
    Durga Puja Day 3 September 29, 2025 Durga Maha Saptami, Kolabou Puja
    Durga Puja Day 4 September 30, 2025 Durga Ashtami, Kumari Puja, Sandhi Puja
    Durga Puja Day 5 October 1, 2025 Maha Navami, Durga Balidan, Navami Homa
    Durga Puja Day 6 October 2, 2025 Vijayadashami, Bengal Durga Visarjan

    Sindoor Utsav

    Durga Puja is a popular festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Durga Puja is also known as Durgotsava, which refers to five days feof stivity, which are observed as Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami. According to religious texts, Durga Puja, including Chandi Path, should begin on the next day of Mahalaya Amavasya. Mahalaya is the most important day of Pitru Paksha, when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors,and  is not considered for starting any auspicious work.

    On Vijaya Dashami, married women in West Bengal and other eastern states of India, participate in Sindoor Khela, smearing vermilion on each other and on Durga’s idol. On this day, idols of Goddess Durga are taken out in processions, accompanied by drums (dhak), dancing, and singing, and are immersed in rivers or lakes.

    (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2025 10:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).