PAHAL (DBTL) scheme launched in entire Country
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1. The Direct Benefit transfer of LPG (DBTL) scheme PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh) has been re-launched in 54 districts on 15.11.2014 in the 1st Phase and launched in the rest of the 622 districts of the country on 1.1.2015.
2. Consumers who wish to join the scheme will have to either link their Aadhaar number into their bank account and their LPG consumer or if they do not possess Aadhaar number, they will have to link their bank account directly with their 17 digit LPG Id. Once a Consumer joins the scheme, he will get the cylinders at market price and will receive LPG subsidy directly in his bank account. A sum of Rs.568 will be paid in advance to the consumer, in the bank account, who now joins the scheme, as soon as he makes the first booking for a cylinder after joining the scheme to ensure that he has extra money required to pay for the first LPG cylinder at market price. This is in addition to subsidy that is paid on each cylinder. Camps are being set up at various banks, and LPG distributor’s premises to enable LPG consumers to open bank account and enroll for Aadhaar if they need to do so to join the scheme.
3. To keep consumers informed about their status in the scheme, consumers will receive SMS at every stage in the scheme. To avail of this feature all LPG consumers are requested to register their mobile number with their distributor if they have not done so. They are also advised to receive cylinders only with cash memos to be assured of their subsidy transfer.
4. The scheme will cover over 15.3 crore consumers across 676 districts of the country. Currently over 6.5 crore consumers i.e. 43% have already joined the scheme and will receive subsidy in their bank account.
5. DBTL is designed to ensure that the benefit meant for the genuine domestic customer reaches them directly and is not diverted. By this process public money will be saved. All LPG customers are requested to immediately join the scheme as above (Detailed Scheme is in Annexure).
6. All LPG consumers who are yet to join the scheme must do so quickly. Those who do not have bank accounts must first open bank accounts and then submit the required details to their LPG distributor/Bank for becoming cash transfer compliant.
7. As on 30.12.2014, an amount of Rs.624 Crore has been transferred to over 20 Lakh LPG consumers since the launch of the scheme on 15th November 2014.
8. LPG consumers who do not wish to avail the LPG subsidy for LPG cylinders can simply choose to opt out of subsidy. Over 12000 citizens have already voluntarily given up subsidy freeing up crores of subsidy amount for their less privileged brethren.
Salient Features/Timelines of the modified DBTL scheme
What if LPG consumer had joined the scheme earlier?
LPG consumers who had joined the scheme earlier by linking his Aadhaar number in LPG and Bank database will get the cylinder at Market price w.e.f 1.1.15 and the subsidy will be transferred into their bank account. They do not have to do anything further. They can check CTC (cash transfer compliance) status on www.mylpg.in.
How to Join the modified Scheme?
For joining the scheme, the consumers have to fill up a form available with distributors and also on www.mylpg.in. The options are as under:
1. LPG consumers can join the scheme by providing their Aadhaar number to LPG distributor and to Bank.
2. LPG consumers who do not have Aadhaar number can
a. Give Bank details to LPG distributor OR
b. Give 17 digit LPG ID to the Bank (select banks only).
What happens if the LPG Consumer joins the scheme or if he doesn’t join it?
Once the scheme is launched on 1.1.15, LPG consumers who join the scheme will get a one time permanent advance of Rs.568/- as soon as they book a cylinder after joining the scheme.
All consumers who have joined the scheme will get LPG cylinders at market price and subsidy amount in their bank account after launch of the scheme in their district/state.
Between 1st January 2015 and 31st March 2015 (three months), any LPG consumer who does not join the scheme will get the cylinder at subsidized price as they are getting it today.
Between 1st April 2015 and 30th June 2015 (three months), those LPG consumers who still do not join the scheme will start getting the cylinder at market price and subsidy will be parked with the OMCs. As soon as they join the scheme within this 3 month period, the parked subsidy would be sent to their bank account, else it will lapse.
From 1st July 2015, consumers who have still not joined the scheme will get the cylinder at market price, but subsidy will not be admissible. Subsidy will be transferred only to the bank account of those consumers who have joined the scheme prior to 30th June 2015.
Any consumer joining the scheme after 30th June 2015 will get permanent advance and subsidy with prospective effect.
What happens to the LPG Consumers of the 54 districts where the scheme is ongoing?
1. All consumers who have joined the scheme from 15th November 2014 are getting LPG cylinders at market price and cash in their bank accounts. They have also got the one time permanent advance of Rs.568/- on booking a cylinder after joining the scheme.
2. Between 15th November 2014 and 14th February 2015 (three months), LPG consumers in these 54 districts who do not join the scheme will continue to get the cylinder at subsidized price as they are getting it today.
3. Between 15th February 2015 and 14th May 2015 (three months), those LPG consumers who still do not join the scheme will start getting the cylinder at market price and cash admissible will be parked with the OMCs. If they join the scheme within this 3 month period, the parked cash would be sent to their bank account, else it will lapse.
4. From 15th May 2015, consumers who have still not joined the scheme will get the cylinder at market price, however, cash subsidy will not be admissible.
2. Consumers who wish to join the scheme will have to either link their Aadhaar number into their bank account and their LPG consumer or if they do not possess Aadhaar number, they will have to link their bank account directly with their 17 digit LPG Id. Once a Consumer joins the scheme, he will get the cylinders at market price and will receive LPG subsidy directly in his bank account. A sum of Rs.568 will be paid in advance to the consumer, in the bank account, who now joins the scheme, as soon as he makes the first booking for a cylinder after joining the scheme to ensure that he has extra money required to pay for the first LPG cylinder at market price. This is in addition to subsidy that is paid on each cylinder. Camps are being set up at various banks, and LPG distributor’s premises to enable LPG consumers to open bank account and enroll for Aadhaar if they need to do so to join the scheme.
3. To keep consumers informed about their status in the scheme, consumers will receive SMS at every stage in the scheme. To avail of this feature all LPG consumers are requested to register their mobile number with their distributor if they have not done so. They are also advised to receive cylinders only with cash memos to be assured of their subsidy transfer.
4. The scheme will cover over 15.3 crore consumers across 676 districts of the country. Currently over 6.5 crore consumers i.e. 43% have already joined the scheme and will receive subsidy in their bank account.
5. DBTL is designed to ensure that the benefit meant for the genuine domestic customer reaches them directly and is not diverted. By this process public money will be saved. All LPG customers are requested to immediately join the scheme as above (Detailed Scheme is in Annexure).
6. All LPG consumers who are yet to join the scheme must do so quickly. Those who do not have bank accounts must first open bank accounts and then submit the required details to their LPG distributor/Bank for becoming cash transfer compliant.
7. As on 30.12.2014, an amount of Rs.624 Crore has been transferred to over 20 Lakh LPG consumers since the launch of the scheme on 15th November 2014.
8. LPG consumers who do not wish to avail the LPG subsidy for LPG cylinders can simply choose to opt out of subsidy. Over 12000 citizens have already voluntarily given up subsidy freeing up crores of subsidy amount for their less privileged brethren.
Salient Features/Timelines of the modified DBTL scheme
What if LPG consumer had joined the scheme earlier?
LPG consumers who had joined the scheme earlier by linking his Aadhaar number in LPG and Bank database will get the cylinder at Market price w.e.f 1.1.15 and the subsidy will be transferred into their bank account. They do not have to do anything further. They can check CTC (cash transfer compliance) status on www.mylpg.in.
How to Join the modified Scheme?
For joining the scheme, the consumers have to fill up a form available with distributors and also on www.mylpg.in. The options are as under:
1. LPG consumers can join the scheme by providing their Aadhaar number to LPG distributor and to Bank.
2. LPG consumers who do not have Aadhaar number can
a. Give Bank details to LPG distributor OR
b. Give 17 digit LPG ID to the Bank (select banks only).
What happens if the LPG Consumer joins the scheme or if he doesn’t join it?
Once the scheme is launched on 1.1.15, LPG consumers who join the scheme will get a one time permanent advance of Rs.568/- as soon as they book a cylinder after joining the scheme.
All consumers who have joined the scheme will get LPG cylinders at market price and subsidy amount in their bank account after launch of the scheme in their district/state.
Between 1st January 2015 and 31st March 2015 (three months), any LPG consumer who does not join the scheme will get the cylinder at subsidized price as they are getting it today.
Between 1st April 2015 and 30th June 2015 (three months), those LPG consumers who still do not join the scheme will start getting the cylinder at market price and subsidy will be parked with the OMCs. As soon as they join the scheme within this 3 month period, the parked subsidy would be sent to their bank account, else it will lapse.
From 1st July 2015, consumers who have still not joined the scheme will get the cylinder at market price, but subsidy will not be admissible. Subsidy will be transferred only to the bank account of those consumers who have joined the scheme prior to 30th June 2015.
Any consumer joining the scheme after 30th June 2015 will get permanent advance and subsidy with prospective effect.
What happens to the LPG Consumers of the 54 districts where the scheme is ongoing?
1. All consumers who have joined the scheme from 15th November 2014 are getting LPG cylinders at market price and cash in their bank accounts. They have also got the one time permanent advance of Rs.568/- on booking a cylinder after joining the scheme.
2. Between 15th November 2014 and 14th February 2015 (three months), LPG consumers in these 54 districts who do not join the scheme will continue to get the cylinder at subsidized price as they are getting it today.
3. Between 15th February 2015 and 14th May 2015 (three months), those LPG consumers who still do not join the scheme will start getting the cylinder at market price and cash admissible will be parked with the OMCs. If they join the scheme within this 3 month period, the parked cash would be sent to their bank account, else it will lapse.
4. From 15th May 2015, consumers who have still not joined the scheme will get the cylinder at market price, however, cash subsidy will not be admissible.
Women’s safety mobile app ‘Himmat’ launched
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Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh launched the women’s safety mobile application ‘Himmat’ of the Delhi Police at a function here today. Lauding the Delhi Police for launching the emergency call application for women in distress, Shri Rajnath Singh said the force has been training women of all ages in self-defence techniques and so far over 15,000 women have been imparted training. He said such self-defence training inculcates a sense of self-confidence in women.
The Union Home Minister said the Indian people have been traditionally more sensitive to women’s safety issues as women have been worshipped and respected through ancient times in our society. Shri Rajnath Singh said that the representation of women in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will rise significantly in the next few years. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs has targeted that women’s representation in the CAPFs will go up from the lowly 1.5 percent to five percent in the next two to three years. The Union Home Minister said MHA has also sent an advisory to all State Governments to provide 33 percent representation to women in the State Police Forces.
On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled an Advertisement of the Delhi Police on the launch of Helpline No.1064 and What’sApp number where complaints against harassment can be registered with photos and videos. He said, Delhi being the National Capital, the Delhi Police has added responsibility to turn itself into a model police force and set an example in model policing.
The Union Home Minister said the Indian people have been traditionally more sensitive to women’s safety issues as women have been worshipped and respected through ancient times in our society. Shri Rajnath Singh said that the representation of women in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will rise significantly in the next few years. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs has targeted that women’s representation in the CAPFs will go up from the lowly 1.5 percent to five percent in the next two to three years. The Union Home Minister said MHA has also sent an advisory to all State Governments to provide 33 percent representation to women in the State Police Forces.
On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled an Advertisement of the Delhi Police on the launch of Helpline No.1064 and What’sApp number where complaints against harassment can be registered with photos and videos. He said, Delhi being the National Capital, the Delhi Police has added responsibility to turn itself into a model police force and set an example in model policing.
UNRWA gets new deputy commissioner-general
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United Nations : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has named Sandra Mitchell of the US as the new deputy commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
She will replace Margot Ellis of the US, Xinhua reported Thursday.
Mitchell, who is currently the vice-president of international programs of the International Rescue Committee, has seven years of experience with the UN, notably in senior management roles at UNRWA from 2011 to 2013 as Director of Operations, Jordan and chief of staff.
UNRWA is a UN agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection for a population of some five million registered Palestine refugees. Its services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.
She will replace Margot Ellis of the US, Xinhua reported Thursday.
Mitchell, who is currently the vice-president of international programs of the International Rescue Committee, has seven years of experience with the UN, notably in senior management roles at UNRWA from 2011 to 2013 as Director of Operations, Jordan and chief of staff.
UNRWA is a UN agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection for a population of some five million registered Palestine refugees. Its services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.
A new-look health mission in the new year
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What will the rebranded National Health Assurance Mission look like, as it emerges in 2015? The National Rural Health Mission’s younger sibling, the National Urban Health Mission, was born a year ago but is yet to walk.
Together these two missions acquired the family name of National Health Mission. The change of government in May led to its renaming as the
National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM), to conveying commitment to delivery of promised services.
The features of NHAM are likely to be unveiled early in the New Year, after a review by the Prime Minister. There are expectations of greater emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention, provision of essential drugs and basic diagnostic tests free of cost in public health care facilities, guaranteed provision of a defined package of primary, secondary and emergency services along with prioritized tertiary care services.
How these will be financed is yet to be announced but the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana is likely to be expanded, to provide a platform for public-private partnerships that can extend the public sector’s capacity for service delivery.
While these are important initiatives intended to improve health services, they are not novel. Where will the element of innovation come in, to fulfil the promise of raised expectations? More importantly, can we raise the steady state performance levels of our health system to assured levels of efficiency and safety? Will we avoid the pendulum swings of 2014, which began with the conferment of a Polio-free status by an applauding World Health Organisation but ended with the tragic sterilisation deaths in Chhattisgarh and mass blindness inflicted by ill performed cataract surgeries in Punjab, both of which left the nation outraged and the world aghast?
The Prime Minister’s twin calls, to improve basic health services and adopt innovative technologies, may provide the best blended prescription for our debilitated health system.
Together these two missions acquired the family name of National Health Mission. The change of government in May led to its renaming as the
National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM), to conveying commitment to delivery of promised services.
The features of NHAM are likely to be unveiled early in the New Year, after a review by the Prime Minister. There are expectations of greater emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention, provision of essential drugs and basic diagnostic tests free of cost in public health care facilities, guaranteed provision of a defined package of primary, secondary and emergency services along with prioritized tertiary care services.
How these will be financed is yet to be announced but the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana is likely to be expanded, to provide a platform for public-private partnerships that can extend the public sector’s capacity for service delivery.
While these are important initiatives intended to improve health services, they are not novel. Where will the element of innovation come in, to fulfil the promise of raised expectations? More importantly, can we raise the steady state performance levels of our health system to assured levels of efficiency and safety? Will we avoid the pendulum swings of 2014, which began with the conferment of a Polio-free status by an applauding World Health Organisation but ended with the tragic sterilisation deaths in Chhattisgarh and mass blindness inflicted by ill performed cataract surgeries in Punjab, both of which left the nation outraged and the world aghast?
The Prime Minister’s twin calls, to improve basic health services and adopt innovative technologies, may provide the best blended prescription for our debilitated health system.
India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear facilities
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New Delhi : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday in a statement said that India and Pakistan exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities.
This annual exercise carried out between the two countries is covered under a bilateral agreement that bars them from attacking each other’s nuclear facilities.
This is the twenty fourth consecutive exchange of such list taking place between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.
The agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on January 27, 1991 provides, inter alia, that the two countries inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.
The two countries also exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at their respective capital, the list of nationals of each country lodged in the jails of the other country.
The agreement which was signed on 31st May 2008 provides for a comprehensive exchange of list of nationals of each country lodged in other country’s jails twice a year on 1st of January and 1st of July.
This annual exercise carried out between the two countries is covered under a bilateral agreement that bars them from attacking each other’s nuclear facilities.
This is the twenty fourth consecutive exchange of such list taking place between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.
The agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on January 27, 1991 provides, inter alia, that the two countries inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.
The two countries also exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at their respective capital, the list of nationals of each country lodged in the jails of the other country.
The agreement which was signed on 31st May 2008 provides for a comprehensive exchange of list of nationals of each country lodged in other country’s jails twice a year on 1st of January and 1st of July.
Burj Khalifa breaks Guinness Record
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A dazzling show of New Year’s Eve gala using 70,000 LED bulbs around the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa here has broken the Guinness World Record of the ‘Largest LED-Illuminated Facade’.
The never-before-seen show of fireworks, Light Emitting Diode lights and laser beam displays became one of the world’s most-watched New Year’s Eve spectacle with residents and visitors from around the world thronging around the 829.8 metres tall skyscraper to watch the display.
The illumination around Burj Khalifa spanned 32,467 square metres and it surpassed the existing record held by Mall Taman Anggrek in Indonesia. The LED screen area around the skyscraper was nearly 3.75 times larger.
The record-breaking LED display had 70,000 LED bulbs placed in position using over 100,000 brackets and linked using 55,000 metres of cabling for the perfect visual display.
The event was also live streamed with four different camera angles including aerial views from three drones. Live telecast through major international channels reached billions of people worldwide.
“The celebration brings hope and joy for a better tomorrow and a promising new era of growth in Dubai, a global city that provides opportunity and environment for business and personal growth,” Ahmad Al Matrooshi, MD of Emaar Properties, said.
The fireworks, laser show and multimedia display used the world’s most advanced pyrotechnics and LED illumination technologies.
Professionals from around the world worked on the project with over 192,000 man-hours devoted to the gala. Around 200 skilled professionals were tasked with the project and over 4.7 tonnes of fireworks were used for the fireworks display with 25,000 shots lighting up the sky.
The perfectly synchronised fireworks used over 25,000 metres of cabling, some rising up to tip of Burj Khalifa’s spire for the crowning effect.
The never-before-seen show of fireworks, Light Emitting Diode lights and laser beam displays became one of the world’s most-watched New Year’s Eve spectacle with residents and visitors from around the world thronging around the 829.8 metres tall skyscraper to watch the display.
The illumination around Burj Khalifa spanned 32,467 square metres and it surpassed the existing record held by Mall Taman Anggrek in Indonesia. The LED screen area around the skyscraper was nearly 3.75 times larger.
The record-breaking LED display had 70,000 LED bulbs placed in position using over 100,000 brackets and linked using 55,000 metres of cabling for the perfect visual display.
The event was also live streamed with four different camera angles including aerial views from three drones. Live telecast through major international channels reached billions of people worldwide.
“The celebration brings hope and joy for a better tomorrow and a promising new era of growth in Dubai, a global city that provides opportunity and environment for business and personal growth,” Ahmad Al Matrooshi, MD of Emaar Properties, said.
The fireworks, laser show and multimedia display used the world’s most advanced pyrotechnics and LED illumination technologies.
Professionals from around the world worked on the project with over 192,000 man-hours devoted to the gala. Around 200 skilled professionals were tasked with the project and over 4.7 tonnes of fireworks were used for the fireworks display with 25,000 shots lighting up the sky.
The perfectly synchronised fireworks used over 25,000 metres of cabling, some rising up to tip of Burj Khalifa’s spire for the crowning effect.
Palestinians join International Criminal Court
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Stung by a resounding defeat in the U.N. Security Council, the Palestinians announced on Wednesday that they joined the International Criminal Court to pursue war crimes charges against Israel.
The move by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas set the stage for a diplomatic showdown with the United States and drew an angry response from Israel.
“The one who needs to fear the International Criminal Court in the Hague is the Palestinian Authority, which has a unity government with Hamas, a terror organization like (the Islamic State group) which commits war crimes,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
Mr. Netanyahu called Israel’s soldiers “the most moral Army in the world” and said the country would take unspecified “retaliatory steps”.
U.S. State Department spokesman Edgar Vasquez said America strongly opposed the move and warned it would be “counter-productive and do nothing to further the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a sovereign and independent state”.
“It will badly damage the atmosphere with the very people with whom they ultimately need to make peace,” Mr. Vasquez said in a statement.
Mr. Abbas has been under heavy domestic pressure to take action against Israel following months of tensions fuelled by the collapse of U.S.-brokered peace talks, a 50-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, a spate of deadly Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets and Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to a key Muslim holy site in Jerusalem. Tuesday’s defeat in the U.N. Security Council further raised pressure on Mr. Abbas to act.
The move by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas set the stage for a diplomatic showdown with the United States and drew an angry response from Israel.
“The one who needs to fear the International Criminal Court in the Hague is the Palestinian Authority, which has a unity government with Hamas, a terror organization like (the Islamic State group) which commits war crimes,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
Mr. Netanyahu called Israel’s soldiers “the most moral Army in the world” and said the country would take unspecified “retaliatory steps”.
U.S. State Department spokesman Edgar Vasquez said America strongly opposed the move and warned it would be “counter-productive and do nothing to further the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a sovereign and independent state”.
“It will badly damage the atmosphere with the very people with whom they ultimately need to make peace,” Mr. Vasquez said in a statement.
Mr. Abbas has been under heavy domestic pressure to take action against Israel following months of tensions fuelled by the collapse of U.S.-brokered peace talks, a 50-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, a spate of deadly Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets and Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to a key Muslim holy site in Jerusalem. Tuesday’s defeat in the U.N. Security Council further raised pressure on Mr. Abbas to act.
RNA regulation in the nuclei of plants identified
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When the human genome was first sequenced, experts predicted they would find about 100,000 genes but the actual number turned out to be closer to 20,000. The question arose: how can a relatively small number of genes lay the blueprint for the complexities of the human body?
The explanation is that genes are subject to many and varied forms of regulation that can alter the form of that protein and can determine whether and how much of a gene product is made. Much of this regulation occurs during and just after DNA is transcribed into RNA.
In a new study done in plants, University of Pennsylvania biologists built on earlier work in which they cataloged all the interactions that occur between RNA and the proteins that bind to it. This time, they looked exclusively at these interactions in the nuclei, and simultaneously obtained data about the nuclear RNA molecules' structure. By combining these datasets, their findings give a global view of the patterns that can affect the various RNA regulatory processes that occur before these molecules move into the cytoplasm, where they are translated into the proteins that make up a living organism.
In addition, the researchers have provided a vast, publically available set of data that other scientists can use to address questions about any genes and regulatory mechanisms that interest them, gaining a better understanding of the dynamics of the journey from DNA to protein.
Brian D. Gregory, an assistant professor in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences' Department of Biology, was senior author on the work, which will appear in the journal Molecular Cell. Sager J. Gosai, a research specialist, and Shawn W. Foley, a graduate student, both members of Gregory's lab, were co-first authors. Additional contributors from Penn included Ian M. Silverman, a graduate student in the Gregory lab, along with Fevzi Daldal, a professor in the Department of Biology and Nur Selamoglu of the Daldal lab. The Penn researchers teamed with Emory University's Dongxue Wang and Roger B. Deal and University of Arizona's Andrew D. L. Nelson and Mark A. Beilstein to conduct the study.
The explanation is that genes are subject to many and varied forms of regulation that can alter the form of that protein and can determine whether and how much of a gene product is made. Much of this regulation occurs during and just after DNA is transcribed into RNA.
In a new study done in plants, University of Pennsylvania biologists built on earlier work in which they cataloged all the interactions that occur between RNA and the proteins that bind to it. This time, they looked exclusively at these interactions in the nuclei, and simultaneously obtained data about the nuclear RNA molecules' structure. By combining these datasets, their findings give a global view of the patterns that can affect the various RNA regulatory processes that occur before these molecules move into the cytoplasm, where they are translated into the proteins that make up a living organism.
In addition, the researchers have provided a vast, publically available set of data that other scientists can use to address questions about any genes and regulatory mechanisms that interest them, gaining a better understanding of the dynamics of the journey from DNA to protein.
Brian D. Gregory, an assistant professor in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences' Department of Biology, was senior author on the work, which will appear in the journal Molecular Cell. Sager J. Gosai, a research specialist, and Shawn W. Foley, a graduate student, both members of Gregory's lab, were co-first authors. Additional contributors from Penn included Ian M. Silverman, a graduate student in the Gregory lab, along with Fevzi Daldal, a professor in the Department of Biology and Nur Selamoglu of the Daldal lab. The Penn researchers teamed with Emory University's Dongxue Wang and Roger B. Deal and University of Arizona's Andrew D. L. Nelson and Mark A. Beilstein to conduct the study.
National slogan in 2014
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The Narendra Modi government undertook a significant step in 2014 to make the country free from open defecation under an ambitious plan of around Rs. 2 lakh crore.
The year also saw the government deciding to implement the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project for Low Income States (RWSSP-LIS) of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh with World Bank assistance over a period of six years (from 2013—14 to 2019—20).
The project is aimed at providing improved piped water supply covering approximately 17,400 habitations in 2,150 gram panchayats in 33 districts of the four States.
Wielding the broom himself, Mr. Modi launched ‘Clean India’ campaign on October 2 and was joined by Chief Ministers, lawmakers, prominent personalities from various fields.
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) aims at attaining a 100 per cent open defecation free India by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The main objective of the programme is to bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in the rural areas, by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open defecation and accelerate sanitation coverage in rural areas.
The main activities under the mission are incentives for individual household latrines, construction of community sanitary complexes, solid and liquid waste management projects, information education and communication, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation.
Mr. Modi, while launching the programme, asserted that Swachh Bharat mission is “beyond politics” and inspired by “patriotism”. He invoked Gandhi’s vision of a “clean and developed” India as he formally kicked off the five-year-long campaign.
The tech-savvy Prime Minister even launched his own version of ALS ice bucket challenge, nominating nine eminent personalities including Sachin Tendulkar, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, industrialist Anil Ambani along with several actors like Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Kamal Hassan to spread awareness on the issue and asked them to continue the chain.
The ministry also launched a nationwide real-time monitoring of use of toilets on Thursday. The monitoring system was unveiled to give a big push to Swachh Bharat Mission.
People across the country will be mobilised to check and verify the use of toilets in the rural areas through mobile phones, tablets or iPads and upload the same in case of any discrepancy on the ministry’s website in tune with online citizen monitoring.
Earlier, the monitoring was done only about the construction of toilets, but now the actual use of toilets will be ascertained on a sustained basis.
According to a parliamentary panel report tabled in the Lok Sabha recently, the practice of open defecation in India is due to combination of factors, the most prominent of them being the traditional behavioural pattern and lack of awareness of people about the associated health hazards.
In its report on Drinking Water and Sanitation, the Standing Committee on Rural Development even noted the fact that sanitation is mainly a mindset issue based on socio-cultural issues and habit.
The year also saw the government deciding to implement the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project for Low Income States (RWSSP-LIS) of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh with World Bank assistance over a period of six years (from 2013—14 to 2019—20).
The project is aimed at providing improved piped water supply covering approximately 17,400 habitations in 2,150 gram panchayats in 33 districts of the four States.
Wielding the broom himself, Mr. Modi launched ‘Clean India’ campaign on October 2 and was joined by Chief Ministers, lawmakers, prominent personalities from various fields.
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) aims at attaining a 100 per cent open defecation free India by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The main objective of the programme is to bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in the rural areas, by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open defecation and accelerate sanitation coverage in rural areas.
The main activities under the mission are incentives for individual household latrines, construction of community sanitary complexes, solid and liquid waste management projects, information education and communication, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation.
Mr. Modi, while launching the programme, asserted that Swachh Bharat mission is “beyond politics” and inspired by “patriotism”. He invoked Gandhi’s vision of a “clean and developed” India as he formally kicked off the five-year-long campaign.
The tech-savvy Prime Minister even launched his own version of ALS ice bucket challenge, nominating nine eminent personalities including Sachin Tendulkar, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, industrialist Anil Ambani along with several actors like Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Kamal Hassan to spread awareness on the issue and asked them to continue the chain.
The ministry also launched a nationwide real-time monitoring of use of toilets on Thursday. The monitoring system was unveiled to give a big push to Swachh Bharat Mission.
People across the country will be mobilised to check and verify the use of toilets in the rural areas through mobile phones, tablets or iPads and upload the same in case of any discrepancy on the ministry’s website in tune with online citizen monitoring.
Earlier, the monitoring was done only about the construction of toilets, but now the actual use of toilets will be ascertained on a sustained basis.
According to a parliamentary panel report tabled in the Lok Sabha recently, the practice of open defecation in India is due to combination of factors, the most prominent of them being the traditional behavioural pattern and lack of awareness of people about the associated health hazards.
In its report on Drinking Water and Sanitation, the Standing Committee on Rural Development even noted the fact that sanitation is mainly a mindset issue based on socio-cultural issues and habit.
Year End Review of Ministry of Human Resource Development
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Passing of the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Bill, the School of Planning and Architecture Bill that makes these institutions of national importance with powers to award degrees.
Amendment to the Central University Bill paving the way for a Central University named after Mahatma Gandhi at Motihari in Bihar.
Launch of the Credit framework for Skills and Education as per the National Skills Qualification framework paving the way for certification of skills through the formal system and allowing for multiple exits and entrance into the education system with scope for vertical and lateral mobility.
Launch of the Know Your College portal to provide informed decision making opportunity for students along with complete availability of all e-learning resources.
Launch of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan connecting higher education and society to enable technology and its use for development of rural areas.
Launch of Global Initiative for Academics Network (GIAN), an initiative to attract the best foreign academics to Indian Universities of Excellence.
Approval by UGC of the Guidelines for Choice Based Credit Framework, providing for more choices for students to opt for employable courses through a system of flexible credits for foundational, elective and core courses.
Systematic work on finalizing a ranking and accreditation framework that can be adapted to the Indian system.
National Consultation Workshop on Skills in Higher Education to assess the success of Community Colleges and Bachelor of Vocational Studies Programmes to make them better.
Launch of the Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Mission on Teachers and Teaching on 25th December, 2014.
Amendment to the Central University Bill paving the way for a Central University named after Mahatma Gandhi at Motihari in Bihar.
Launch of the Credit framework for Skills and Education as per the National Skills Qualification framework paving the way for certification of skills through the formal system and allowing for multiple exits and entrance into the education system with scope for vertical and lateral mobility.
Launch of the Know Your College portal to provide informed decision making opportunity for students along with complete availability of all e-learning resources.
Launch of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan connecting higher education and society to enable technology and its use for development of rural areas.
Launch of Global Initiative for Academics Network (GIAN), an initiative to attract the best foreign academics to Indian Universities of Excellence.
Approval by UGC of the Guidelines for Choice Based Credit Framework, providing for more choices for students to opt for employable courses through a system of flexible credits for foundational, elective and core courses.
Systematic work on finalizing a ranking and accreditation framework that can be adapted to the Indian system.
National Consultation Workshop on Skills in Higher Education to assess the success of Community Colleges and Bachelor of Vocational Studies Programmes to make them better.
Launch of the Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Mission on Teachers and Teaching on 25th December, 2014.
India National and regional public holidays of India in 2015
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Day Date Holiday Comments Thursday January 01 New Years Day Arunachal pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Miizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu only Thursday January 01 New Years Day Public Sector. Telangana only Saturday January 03 Milad-un-Nabi Birthday of Prophet Muhammad Sunday January 04 Milad-un-Nabi Birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana Monday January 05 Guru Govind Singh Jayanti Punjab only. Birthday of the tenth and final Sikh prophet-teacher Monday January 12 Birthday of Swami Vivekananda West Bengal only. Tuesday January 13 Bhogi Andhra Pradesh Only Wednesday January 14 Pongal Also known as Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Bihu, Hadaga, Poki Thursday January 15 Pongal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana Friday January 16 Thiruvalluvar Day Tamil Nadu only Saturday January 17 Uzhavar Tirunal Puducherry, Tamil Nadu only Wednesday January 21 Sonam Lhochar Sikkim only. Tamang New Year Friday January 23 Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti Assam, Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal. Birthday of a prominent leader in the Indian freedom movement Saturday January 24 Vasant Panchami Haryana, Odisha,Tripura, West Bengal only Saturday January 24 Sir Chhotu Ram Jayanti Haryana only Sunday January 25 Statehood Day Himachal Pradesh only Monday January 26 Republic Day Commemorates the establishment of the Constitution of India Tuesday February 03 Guru Ravidas Birthday Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab only Saturday February 14 Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti Haryana only Tuesday February 17 Maha Shivratri Celebrated on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha Thursday February 19 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti Maharashtra (Mumbai) only Thursday February 19 Losar Sikkim only. Tibetan New Year Thursday March 05 Doljatra Holi Dahan. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal only. Friday March 06 Holi Saturday March 21 Ugadi Telugu and Kannada New Year. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh. Monday March 23 Shaheedi Diwas of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru & Sukhdev Haryana only Saturday March 28 Ram Navami Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama to King Dasharatha of Ayodhya Thursday April 02 Mahavir Jayanti The most important religious holiday in Jainism Friday April 03 Good Friday Friday before Easter Sunday Sunday April 05 Babu Jagjivan Ram Birthday Andhra Pradesh only Monday April 13 Vaisakhi Haryana only Tuesday April 14 Dr Ambedkar Jayanti Birthday of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedekar Tuesday April 14 Tamil New Year Puthandu. Tamil Nadu only Tuesday April 14 Vaisakhi Haryana only Wednesday April 15 Himachal Day Himachal Pradesh only. The province of Himachal Pradesh was created on 15 April 1948 Wednesday April 15 Bengali New Year Tripura, West Bengal only Wednesday April 15 Vishu Kerala Only. First day of Tulu calendar Wednesday April 15 Babu Jagjivan Rams Birthday Telangana only. Monday April 20 Parashurama Jayanti Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh only Friday May 01 Maharashtra Day Maharashtra (Mumbai) only. Commemorates the formation of the state of Maharashtra on 1 May 1960 Friday May 01 May Day Assam, Bihar, Goa, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal only Sunday May 03 Hazrat Alis Birthday Uttar Pradesh only. Son in law of Prophet Muhammad Monday May 04 Buddha Purnima Birth of Buddha Saturday May 09 Birthday of Rabindra Nath Tagore Tripura, West Bengal. A Bengali polymath who reshaped literature and music. Wednesday May 20 Maharana Pratap Jayanti Haryana, Himachal Pradesh only Tuesday June 02 Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti Gazetted holiday in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab. Tuesday June 16 Arjun Dev Martyrdom day Punjab Only Friday July 10 Jumat-ul-Wida Last Friday of Ramadam Saturday July 18 Idul Fitr All states except Goa, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh Saturday August 15 Independence Day Monday August 17 Teej Haryana only Tuesday August 18 Parsi New Year Jamshed Navroz. Mumbai Only Thursday August 27 First Onam Kerala only. Harvest Festival Friday August 28 Thiruvonam Kerala only. Harvest Festival Saturday August 29 Raksha Bandhan Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh only. Saturday September 05 Janmashtami Celebrates the birth of Lord Shri Krishna Thursday September 17 Ganesh Chaturthi Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata Monday September 21 Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Kerala only. Marks the death of a key social reformer Wednesday September 23 Haryana's Heroes' Martyrdom Day Haryana only Thursday September 24 Idul Juha Bakrid. Friday September 25 Idul Juha Bakrid. Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra Friday October 02 Mahatma Gandhi Birthday Gandhi Jayanti Monday October 12 Mahalaya Karnataka, Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal only. Tuesday October 13 Muharram Observed mainly by the Shia Muslim community Tuesday October 13 Maharaja Agrasen Jayanati Haryana only Tuesday October 20 Saptami of Durgapuja Tripura, West Bengal only Wednesday October 21 Ayudha Puja Karnataka, Tamil Nadu only Thursday October 22 Dussehra Vijaya Dashami. Except Kerala Thursday October 22 Mahanavami Kerala Only. Ninth Day of Dussehra Friday October 23 Vijaya Dashami Kerala only. Dussehra Friday October 23 Muharram Tamil Nadu only Saturday October 24 Muharram (10th Day) Day of Ashurah Tuesday October 27 Maharishi Valmiki Birthday Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab. Tuesday October 27 Lakshmi Puja Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal only. Sunday November 01 Kannada Rajyothsava Bangalore Only. Karnataka Formation Day Sunday November 01 Haryana Day Haryana only. Tuesday November 10 Deewali Deepawali. Except Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana, West Bengal. Wednesday November 11 Kali Puja West Bengal only. Festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali Wednesday November 11 Deewali Deepawali. Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana Wednesday November 11 Diwali Laxmi Puja. Maharashtra Thursday November 12 Diwali Deepawali. Maharashtra Thursday November 12 Vishavkarma day Haryana only Wednesday November 25 Guru Nanak Birthday The Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib, the founder of Sikhism, falls on full moon day of the month Kartik Thursday December 24 Milad-un-Nabi Birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Second time in 2015. Friday December 25 Christmas Day Saturday December 26 Shaheed Udham Singh's Birthday Haryana only
| Day | Date | Holiday | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | January 01 | New Years Day | Arunachal pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Miizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu only |
| Thursday | January 01 | New Years Day | Public Sector. Telangana only |
| Saturday | January 03 | Milad-un-Nabi | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad |
| Sunday | January 04 | Milad-un-Nabi | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana |
| Monday | January 05 | Guru Govind Singh Jayanti | Punjab only. Birthday of the tenth and final Sikh prophet-teacher |
| Monday | January 12 | Birthday of Swami Vivekananda | West Bengal only. |
| Tuesday | January 13 | Bhogi | Andhra Pradesh Only |
| Wednesday | January 14 | Pongal | Also known as Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Bihu, Hadaga, Poki |
| Thursday | January 15 | Pongal | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana |
| Friday | January 16 | Thiruvalluvar Day | Tamil Nadu only |
| Saturday | January 17 | Uzhavar Tirunal | Puducherry, Tamil Nadu only |
| Wednesday | January 21 | Sonam Lhochar | Sikkim only. Tamang New Year |
| Friday | January 23 | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti | Assam, Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal. Birthday of a prominent leader in the Indian freedom movement |
| Saturday | January 24 | Vasant Panchami | Haryana, Odisha,Tripura, West Bengal only |
| Saturday | January 24 | Sir Chhotu Ram Jayanti | Haryana only |
| Sunday | January 25 | Statehood Day | Himachal Pradesh only |
| Monday | January 26 | Republic Day | Commemorates the establishment of the Constitution of India |
| Tuesday | February 03 | Guru Ravidas Birthday | Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab only |
| Saturday | February 14 | Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Haryana only |
| Tuesday | February 17 | Maha Shivratri | Celebrated on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha |
| Thursday | February 19 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti | Maharashtra (Mumbai) only |
| Thursday | February 19 | Losar | Sikkim only. Tibetan New Year |
| Thursday | March 05 | Doljatra | Holi Dahan. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal only. |
| Friday | March 06 | Holi | |
| Saturday | March 21 | Ugadi | Telugu and Kannada New Year. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh. |
| Monday | March 23 | Shaheedi Diwas of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru & Sukhdev | Haryana only |
| Saturday | March 28 | Ram Navami | Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama to King Dasharatha of Ayodhya |
| Thursday | April 02 | Mahavir Jayanti | The most important religious holiday in Jainism |
| Friday | April 03 | Good Friday | Friday before Easter Sunday |
| Sunday | April 05 | Babu Jagjivan Ram Birthday | Andhra Pradesh only |
| Monday | April 13 | Vaisakhi | Haryana only |
| Tuesday | April 14 | Dr Ambedkar Jayanti | Birthday of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedekar |
| Tuesday | April 14 | Tamil New Year | Puthandu. Tamil Nadu only |
| Tuesday | April 14 | Vaisakhi | Haryana only |
| Wednesday | April 15 | Himachal Day | Himachal Pradesh only. The province of Himachal Pradesh was created on 15 April 1948 |
| Wednesday | April 15 | Bengali New Year | Tripura, West Bengal only |
| Wednesday | April 15 | Vishu | Kerala Only. First day of Tulu calendar |
| Wednesday | April 15 | Babu Jagjivan Rams Birthday | Telangana only. |
| Monday | April 20 | Parashurama Jayanti | Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh only |
| Friday | May 01 | Maharashtra Day | Maharashtra (Mumbai) only. Commemorates the formation of the state of Maharashtra on 1 May 1960 |
| Friday | May 01 | May Day | Assam, Bihar, Goa, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal only |
| Sunday | May 03 | Hazrat Alis Birthday | Uttar Pradesh only. Son in law of Prophet Muhammad |
| Monday | May 04 | Buddha Purnima | Birth of Buddha |
| Saturday | May 09 | Birthday of Rabindra Nath Tagore | Tripura, West Bengal. A Bengali polymath who reshaped literature and music. |
| Wednesday | May 20 | Maharana Pratap Jayanti | Haryana, Himachal Pradesh only |
| Tuesday | June 02 | Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti | Gazetted holiday in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab. |
| Tuesday | June 16 | Arjun Dev Martyrdom day | Punjab Only |
| Friday | July 10 | Jumat-ul-Wida | Last Friday of Ramadam |
| Saturday | July 18 | Idul Fitr | All states except Goa, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh |
| Saturday | August 15 | Independence Day | |
| Monday | August 17 | Teej | Haryana only |
| Tuesday | August 18 | Parsi New Year | Jamshed Navroz. Mumbai Only |
| Thursday | August 27 | First Onam | Kerala only. Harvest Festival |
| Friday | August 28 | Thiruvonam | Kerala only. Harvest Festival |
| Saturday | August 29 | Raksha Bandhan | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh only. |
| Saturday | September 05 | Janmashtami | Celebrates the birth of Lord Shri Krishna |
| Thursday | September 17 | Ganesh Chaturthi | Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata |
| Monday | September 21 | Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi | Kerala only. Marks the death of a key social reformer |
| Wednesday | September 23 | Haryana's Heroes' Martyrdom Day | Haryana only |
| Thursday | September 24 | Idul Juha | Bakrid. |
| Friday | September 25 | Idul Juha | Bakrid. Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra |
| Friday | October 02 | Mahatma Gandhi Birthday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| Monday | October 12 | Mahalaya | Karnataka, Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal only. |
| Tuesday | October 13 | Muharram | Observed mainly by the Shia Muslim community |
| Tuesday | October 13 | Maharaja Agrasen Jayanati | Haryana only |
| Tuesday | October 20 | Saptami of Durgapuja | Tripura, West Bengal only |
| Wednesday | October 21 | Ayudha Puja | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu only |
| Thursday | October 22 | Dussehra | Vijaya Dashami. Except Kerala |
| Thursday | October 22 | Mahanavami | Kerala Only. Ninth Day of Dussehra |
| Friday | October 23 | Vijaya Dashami | Kerala only. Dussehra |
| Friday | October 23 | Muharram | Tamil Nadu only |
| Saturday | October 24 | Muharram (10th Day) | Day of Ashurah |
| Tuesday | October 27 | Maharishi Valmiki Birthday | Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab. |
| Tuesday | October 27 | Lakshmi Puja | Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal only. |
| Sunday | November 01 | Kannada Rajyothsava | Bangalore Only. Karnataka Formation Day |
| Sunday | November 01 | Haryana Day | Haryana only. |
| Tuesday | November 10 | Deewali | Deepawali. Except Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana, West Bengal. |
| Wednesday | November 11 | Kali Puja | West Bengal only. Festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali |
| Wednesday | November 11 | Deewali | Deepawali. Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana |
| Wednesday | November 11 | Diwali | Laxmi Puja. Maharashtra |
| Thursday | November 12 | Diwali | Deepawali. Maharashtra |
| Thursday | November 12 | Vishavkarma day | Haryana only |
| Wednesday | November 25 | Guru Nanak Birthday | The Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib, the founder of Sikhism, falls on full moon day of the month Kartik |
| Thursday | December 24 | Milad-un-Nabi | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Second time in 2015. |
| Friday | December 25 | Christmas Day | |
| Saturday | December 26 | Shaheed Udham Singh's Birthday | Haryana only |
Key
-
National Holiday Regional Holiday Not a Public Holiday
| National Holiday |
| Regional Holiday |
| Not a Public Holiday |
Notes
-
- Only the secular holidays of Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday are observed nationally.
- Public holidays in India tend to be observed on a strictly regional basis. The above dates are Government of India holidays, when government offices will be closed nationwide. In addition, there are numerous festivals and fairs which are also observed in some states as holidays, the dates of which change from year to year.
- Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are the latest known dates.
- Although not government official holidays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day are observed nationally.
- Only the secular holidays of Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday are observed nationally.
- Public holidays in India tend to be observed on a strictly regional basis. The above dates are Government of India holidays, when government offices will be closed nationwide. In addition, there are numerous festivals and fairs which are also observed in some states as holidays, the dates of which change from year to year.
- Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are the latest known dates.
- Although not government official holidays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day are observed nationally.
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