The Parliament celebrated the Hindu New Year for the first time in the history of the republic. On Tuesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan organized a lunch for the occasion.
Reuters
Mahajan said: “The house wishes the country’s people on new year, celebrated in different parts of the country by different names like Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Chaitra Shukladi, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba.”
News18 had reported on Monday that the Parliament will be celebrating the Hindu New Year where members of both the Houses will be invited.
The lunch was organized in the afternoon in a courtyard of the Parliament. The meal, according to IANS, was pure vegetarian comprising items meant for those observing Navratra.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reportedly, did not eat because he is observing the nine-day fast but he joined the MPs.
The lunch timing was set so as not to disrupt the proceedings of both the houses.
PTI
The Hindu New Year, unlike the Gregorian New Year, is based on the lunar calendar. In India, Saka Samvat is officially considered the Hindu calendar.
In some other parts of the country, the Vikram Samvat is followed as the Hindu calendar. The Vikram Samvat coincides with the arrival of spring and is celebrated in many parts of the country as a harvest festival.
