From: selvakum@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca (C.R.Selvakumar - Electrical Engineering)
Subject: Re: Sensational News reporting/ Makar Sankranti Is Important In Gujarat
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 19:59:17 GMT

In article <C16MJw.82M@cs.psu.edu> narayana@psuvax1.cs.psu.edu (Kuram T Narayana) writes:
>In article <1jkvbhINNnbq@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu> vivek@ecst.csuchico.edu (Vivek R. Prabhu) writes:
>>In article <C15xL9.Es8@cs.psu.edu> narayana@psuvax1.cs.psu.edu (Kuram T Narayana) writes:
>>>Consider the following news excerpt by Srinivas Sunder (yes, Sunder with
>>>the `e' than an `a') supposedly from UPI. Think of the following while
>>>reading the news report. Is Makara Sankranthi celebrated as a festival
>>>everywhere in India? From all knowledge that I have, it is an important
>>>festival in the south. It may have some importance at piligrim locations
>>>in the North. Many northerners don't even have a public holiday.
>>>We did not have one in Bombay at that time. It may be an optional
>>>holiday. Is Makara Sankranti is greatly celebrated festival in Gujarat?
>>>Some of our Gujarati readers can tell us. But to the new report, its
>>>sensationalism. Look here? I donot know if Srinivas Sunder isbeing 
>>>sensationlistic or the UPI report. He can clarify!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>If Makara Sankranti is not a very high profile festival in Ahmedabad, why
>>>is the news report combining roits and Makara Sankranti, a mainly south
>>>indian festival.
>>>
>>>Is Srinivas Sunder gulty of sensationalism, if he doctored the news?
>>>If he has not, is he guilty of promoting sensational news?
>>>Is UPI itself is guilty of sensationalism.
>>>
>>>Our gujarati readers can tell us, how  important is this Makara
>>>Sankranti as a festival in Ahmedabad. Is it something like Divali?
>>>
>>>...kt
>>
>>
>>
>>In fact Makar Sankranti IS one of the MOST IMPORTANT festivals,  both in
>>Bombay as well as in Ahmedabad. In fact, out of all places in India it's
>>believed to be celebrated the best in Gujarat.
>>
>>Apart from the regular Poojas and everything associated with such a kind
>>of festival, the day itself is believed to be very auspicious there is a
>>competition of Kite Flying, and prizes are distributed,  it is said that
>>the entire town is found on the respective terraces. Also there is a lot
>>of gaiety associated with the festival. Maharashtra & Gujarat  residents
>>would remember the prasad of "Till Ke Ladoos".
>>
>>On an allied note, the Idol of Swami Manikandan,  or  popularly known as 
>>as Swami Ayyappa at Sabarimalai,  was consecrated on this day by its own
>>sculptor, Sri Parashurama.
>>
>>Regards,
>>Vivek.
>>
>
>That is so interesting to receive two notes saying how well celebrated
>Sankranti is in Maharastra and Gujarat. Most of the time, news reports
>only cite Pongal celebrations in TN. That is why all these problem./
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

     All these problems ?? for whom ??!! :) :)

      Kuram Narayana, honestly I have never come across a person
      who is so afraid of Tamils !! :) :) 
      If you see the note
      from M. Shah the Makara Sankaranti in Gujarat is the only festival
      celebrated by ALL CASTES just like the Tamil Pongal. 
      I think it is significant to note that the the Tamils
      follow the Sun Calendar.

      I think the popularity of makara sankaranti in Gujarat ( esp.
      among all the castes) as in Tamil Nadu is indicative of the
      unity of culture I have been talking about. ( not a proof) 
        

>Given this, I am too happy to say  that  our Srinivas Sunder (the
>sunder with the e than an a) is fully exonerated of any guilt
>of sensationalism. 
>
>
>Thanks so much guys and to Sunder (with that e).
>...kt


     - Selva