The Facebook Messenger app finally makes its way to the desktop. Facebook announced that it is launching a standalone desktop app for Messenger, making video calling and chatting with friends easier on your computer.
The Messenger app was reported to have been in the works for a while. With the launch, it joins a long list of apps enabling video conferencing on the desktop.
It is available for Windows as well as MacOS.
The app has similar features that are available to the mobile users. It allows you to connect with all your contacts via message or video calls. You also have access to group video calls.
Facebook has also introduced a dedicated dark mode on the standalone Messenger app and it syncs across all devices. You can send GIFs to your chats and receive (or mute) incoming notifications.
As India enters the ninth day of lockdown, an exponential spike in the total number of COVID-19 positive cases is now witnessed by the nation. Crossing the 2000-mark, Tablighi Jamaat’s Markaz event in Delhi’s Nizamuddin has contributed majorly to this increase. The first case in Arunachal Pradesh was a man who attended the event. Haryana sees its first COVID-19 death, along with 3 deaths in Telangana and one in Gujarat and Rajasthan each, today, raising the death toll to 75 in the country. The total number of cases in India is now at 2,381. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has proposed a massive $2 trillion infrastructure plan, along with several other measures to stimulate their economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic.
8.15 PM | J&K, LADAKH
8 more test positive in J&K, one in Ladakh
Eight have tested positive for COVID-19 in J&K and one in Ladakh on Thursday. Meanwhile, 324 people with travel histories were discharged from the administrative quarantine centres in Kashmir after completing 14-day isolation.
A government spokesman said that of the eight new positive cases, five were detected in the Jammu division and three from the Kashmir division, taking the total number of such cases in J&K to 70.
8.00 PM | JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Media wants 4G Net restored in J&K to fight COVID-19
The Chief Medical Officer of Composite Hospital, CRPF, New Delhi, has been tested COVID-19 positive.
He has since been shifted to the isolation ward of AIIMS, Jhajjar, Haryana after his test report was received today.
The Transit Officers’ Mess in Saket where the Officer was staying, has since been sanitized and orders have been issued to immediately quarantine the working staff and guests/officers living there, according to an MHA official.
7.30 PM | SPAIN
Spain’s deaths rise above 10,000
Spain’s death toll from the coronavirus rose above 10,000 on Thursday after a record 950 people died overnight, but health officials saw a glimmer of hope with the epidemic slowing in terms of proportional daily increases in infections and deaths.
7.15 PM | INDIA
Home Ministry blacklists 960 foreign Tablighi Jamaat members for violating visa rules
The Home Ministry has blacklisted 960 foreign Tablighi Jamaat members for violating visa rules. Their visas have been cancelled.
Directions have been issued to States to book them under provisions of DM Act and Foreigners Act, according to a tweet by Home Minister Amit Shah.
7.05 PM | ANDHRA PRADESH
Andhra Pradesh records 11 more cases
Andhra Pradesh has recorded 11 new cases, with the number of cases in the State standing at 143 as of 6 p.m., according to State Health Department’s bulletin.
7.00 PM | INDIA
BSF contributes one day’s salary of troops to PM-CARES Fund
The Border Security Force (BSF) contributed one day’s salary of its staffers, totalling over Rs 33.28 crore, to the PM-CARES Fund to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
“An amount of Rs 33,28,57,504 has been deposited to the PM-CARES account. This amount is the one day salary of the troops and other staffers of the force,” a BSF spokesperson said.
6.40 PM | HARYANA
927 Nizamuddin event attendees traced in Haryana, five test positive: State Home Minister
Haryana’s Home Minister Anil Vij said that 927 attendees of the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area have been traced in the State, with five of them testing COVID-19 positive so far.
Of the 927 people traced till now, 107 are foreigners.
6.30 PM | KARNATAKA
Around 1,000 linked to Tablighi Jamaat screened in Karnataka, 11 test positive for COVID-19
Nearly 1,000 people from Karnataka, who are linked to Tablighi-Jamaat congregation in New Delhi, have been screened so far following the inputs provided by the Centre and police, and 11 have tested positive for COVID-19
6.25 PM | GUJARAT
Gujarat police identifies 12 more who attended Nizamuddin event
The Gujarat police said they have identified 12 more persons who had attended the Islamic congregation in Delhi, taking the number of visitors from Gujarat to 84 till now, one of them an elderly man who succumbed to coronavirus after returning from the meet.
6.20 PM | MAHARASHTRA
Cases in Maharashtra cross 400 mark
Cases in Maharashtra have crossed the 400 mark. Total cases in the State are now at 416 and the death toll is 19. As many as 81 new cases have been reported today, according to the State Health Department’s 6 p.m. update.
6.00 PM | TAMIL NADU
Tamil Nadu reports 75 new cases
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Beela Rajesh has stated that the State has recorded 75 new cases.
5.45 PM | WEST BENGAL
West Bengal deaths climb to 7
West Bengal has seen the highest rise in COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours . The total number of patients now stands at 53 while casualties have risen to 7.
5.30 PM | WEST BENGAL
Defying lockdown, devotees in Bengal assemble at temples on Ram Navami
Amid chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram’, hundreds of devotees assembled in temples in various parts of West Bengal on the occasion of Ram Navami, defying social distancing norms prescribed by the government during the ongoing nationwide lockdown period.
5.20 PM | TAMIL NADU
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister seeks ₹3,000 crore from PM for procuring PPE and other supplies
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allocate ₹3,000 crore for procuring personal protective equipment (PPE), N-95 masks and ventilators for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. During his video conference interaction with the PM, Mr. Palaniswami also sought to increase the supply of test kits to the State.
5.10 PM | DELHI
Two evacuated from Nizamuddin have died of COVID-19: Kejriwal
The coronavirus in Delhi is not spreading and has been contained to those who have returned from abroad and their contacts, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said at a press conference.
Two people, who were evacuated from the Tablighi Jamaat Centre in Nizamuddin and tested positive, have died, he said.
“Over 6 lakh people ate lunch and dinner at delhi government facilities yesterday. We now have spare capacity to feed people.
“Autodrivers, e-rickshaw drivers and other public transport service providers will be given Rs. 5,000 in their account as relief. The problem is that we do not have their bank account numbers and we are working things out. It will take about 10 days,” he added.
“Today is Ram Navami, you can’t go to the mandir but stay at home and celebrate. The best way to celebrate is to ensure that nobody in the vicinity of your house is hungry,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
In a digital press conference, Mr. Kejriwal said of the 2,346 people evacuated from the Markaz, 108 have tested positive.
However, the number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital may rise in the coming days as the government has decided to test all those who were evacuated from the Markaz, he said.
5.00 PM | UTTAR PRADESH
Cases climb to 121 in U.P.
The number of positive cases in Uttar Pradesh has risen to 121, including one each in Meerut and Ghazipur, persons associated with the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi, according to senior officials.
429 samples of Tablighi Jamaat members have been sent for testing so far, said Amit Mohan Prasad, Principal Secretary, Health. U.P. has so far identified 1172 members of the Delhi Tablighi Jamaat event, of whom 884 have been put under quarantine, said additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Awasthi.
The government has also lodged 32 FIRs in 13 districts against foreign nationals for violating tourist visa norms and engaging in religious activities. 211 passports have been seized, said Mr. Awasthi.
4.45 PM | NEW DELHI
Another letter from Home Secretary
Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla writes another letter to States to make proper arrangements for disbursal of money from banks under PM-Garib Kalyan Yojana that will start April 3.
He asks States to implement Finance Ministry’s advisory to stagger the account holders and maintain social distancing at bank branches. Also take help of security personnel to maintain law and order at banks.
4.30 PM | NEW DELHI
COVID-19 app
Government has launched an app called ‘Aarogya Setu’ to disperse updated information on COVID-19.
The app supports 11 languages and is available on Google Play and Apple iStore.
Union government has placed for 1.5 crore PPEs for use. Those supplied so far have been sent to the States as per requirement. They were procured from Domestic manufacturers. Orders have been placed for one crore N95 masks too, says Health Ministry.
4.20 PM | NEW DELHI
400 positive cases linked to the Tablighi event
As many as 400 COVID-19 cases have been linked to the Tablighi Jamaat event held in Nizamuddin in mid-March, says Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry.
Of them, 171 are from Tamil Nadu, 67 from Andhra Pradesh and 22 are from Jammu and Kashmir. Assam, Rajasthan, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur have also reported positive cases.
About 9,000 people linked to the Nizamuddin event have been traced in different parts of the country. 1306 were foreigners while the rest were Indians, he says.
4.15 PM | NEW DELHI
Book violators of lockdown: Union Home Secretary
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla writes yet another letter to Chief Secretaries of all States, asks them to book people under relevant provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the IPC for false claims, obstruction, false warning, disobedience, Failure of officer on duty among others.
Anyone obstructing enforcement of lockdown could be punishable for jail term of up to 2 years, Mr. Bhalla says. Misappropriation of money or material in disaster-like situation invites 2 years of jail with fine.
Anyone making false claim on any matter can be punished up to 2 years of jail with fine and laws, he says.4.00 PM | NEW DELHI
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Puri: Lockdown is till April 14 and resumption of flights from different countries will be decided on case by case basis.
3.30 PM | CHENNAI
Over 800 scientists, doctors call upon government to reveal post-lockdown plan
Over 800 scientists, academicians and public health professionals issued a statement on April 1, drawing attention to key aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and urging the government to take a few important steps in this regard.
3.00 PM | MUMBAI
Modi accepts Thackeray’s suggestion
Accepting suggestion from CM Uddhav Thackeray of making an appeal to religious leaders of all sects across the country to ensure no overcrowding, PM Narendra Modi in his video conference with CMs of all states asked them to establish communication with leaders of all religions, Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office has said.
2.55 PM | BHOPAL
Indore COVID-19 toll soars to five
A man and a woman from Indore died of COVID-19 on Thursday morning, taking the toll owing to the illness to five in the city. Besides, 12 residents of the city tested positive for the disease on Wednesday night, according to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore.
The man, aged 54, and the woman, 65, didn’t have a contact or a travel history.
2.45 PM | DELHI
AIIMS resident doctor tests positive for COVID19. He is from the physiology department. The family is now being screened.2.30 PM
The Prime Minister’s video conference with the chief ministers has ended.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, in a series of tweets, has revealed what the PM has said. Here are his tweets:
War has just began now. We can never be contended. Let us no mistake. Every 24 hours we must be alert; unitedly we must fight to defeat the outbreak of #COVID19.: PM
This is a fight which must be fought by each of us. This is a war which cannot be left alone to health workers, policemen or the govt. Time is now for all different ideologies to unite to defeat the enemy of mankind: PM
“Time is now to leverage technology to fight #coronavirus. Let us not compete to announce packages! It is for all of us to be realistic and practical. The fight could go for any length and we can’t predict how things will turn. “
May not #21daysLockdownIndia go waste. Even after lockdown, follow corona prevention safety measures like wearing mask, cleanliness, distancing etc. Being responsible will save us: PM
We need zero budget to fight this #coronavirus. If we can maintain social distancing, it is enough to prevail over #COVID19: PM
Two from Pune district who went to Nizamuddin conclave test positive
1.00 PM
BMC conservancy worker is second positive case in Dharavi
A 52-year-old Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation conservancy worker became the second person to test positive for COVID-19 in Dharavi on Thursday.
Dharavi reported its first case on Wednesday and the person died the same day.
The second affected person is not a resident of Dharavi but of Worli’s Jijamata Nagar, another Coronavirus hotspot.
12.50 PM
PM, CMs video conference
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a video conference with all chief ministers to discuss ways to check the spread of coronavirus.
The meeting is underway.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and top bureaucrats were present along with the Prime Minister.
Issues such as spread of coronavirus, movement of migrants, availability of essentials and contact tracing of Tablighi Jamat participants are also likely to come up for discussion.
12.40 PM | ANDHRA PRADESH
AP reports 21 new COVID-19 positive cases
Andhra Pradesh reported 21 new COVID-19 positive cases after testing 487 samples, most of which belonged to those who had returned from the Tablighi Jamaat meeting in New Delhi, and their contacts.
A total of 1,301 samples of Delhi returnees and their contacts were tested in the last two days, in the light of the countrywide outbreak trend.
The State now has 132 positive cases. Two patients have recovered after treatment. Results of 493 samples are awaited.
12.20 PM | ISRAEL
Israel’s health minister diagnosed with coronavirus
Israel’s health minister and his wife were diagnosed with coronavirus and are in isolation following guidelines, the health ministry said on April 2.
Yaakov Litzman, 71, an ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has appeared regularly alongside the premier to provide updates on the spread of the pandemic and new measures to combat it.But Litzman has scaled back public appearances in recent weeks and the ministry’s director-general has held daily briefings instead. Litzman and his wife feel well, the ministry said in a statement.
12.10 PM | ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Arunachal Pradesh confirms first case
Arunachal Pradesh has confirmed its first COVID-19 positive case, said the Chief Minister on Twitter on Thursday.
The patient is a 31 year-old non-native who participated in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi.
At present, he is asymptomatic and is kept in isolation, said the CM on Twitter. The patient’s condition is stable, he added.
12 PM | MADHYA PRADESH
12 test positive, one dies in Indore
Twelve persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Indore late on April 1, taking the count of reported cases in the city to 75. Besides, a 65-year-old woman from the city succumbed to the illness on April 2, according to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore.
While no new patient has travel history, just one case has had a confirmed contact with an infected person even as health officials scramble to zero in on the source in Indore. On March 31, Indore reported 36 cases, the steepest rise reported in the city as well as the State in a day. Four residents of the city and seven in the State in total have succumbed to the illness so far, while cases in Madhya Pradesh touched 98.
11.40 AM | NOIDA
1 held, dozen booked for group namaz in Noida despite lockdown
One man was arrested and around a dozen people booked here for allegedly gathering for a group namaz in violation of lockdown restrictions imposed due to coronavirus, the Noida police said on Thursday.
An FIR was lodged under provisions including those of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Uttar Pradesh Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 after a video surfaced on social media on Wednesday evening purportedly showing the gathering on the terrace of a house for the prayer, the police said.
11.30 AM | CHENNAI
Not the time to cause chaos by congregating in religious places: A.R. Rahman
Stressing that congregating in religious places will cause “chaos” in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, music maestro A.R. Rahman has urged people to adhere to the advice of the government and self-isolate.
The Oscar winner’s appeal comes after Tabligh-e-Jamaat’s Markaz in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West emerged as an epicentre for spread of COVID-19 in different parts of the country after thousands of people took part in a congregation from March 1 to 15.
In a lengthy statement on Twitter, Rahman on Wednesday asked people to be “kind and thoughtful.”
This message is to thank the doctors, nurses and all the staff working in hospitals and clinics all around India, for their bravery and selflessness… pic.twitter.com/fjBOzKfqjy
Oscar-winning sound engineer Resul Pookutty and Rahman’s collaborator on the award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire shared the same sentiments.
”… God is in your hearts not in shrines, you don’t have to congregate now, follow Govt rules, few days of isolation might give you many years of life!” Pookutty tweeted on Thursday.
11.20 AM | MAHARASHTRA
Three fresh cases reported in Maharashtra
Three new cases of COVID-19 were reported on April 2 from Pune and Buldhana districts, taking Maharashtra’s tally to 338.
Two new cases were reported from Pune and, in a matter of growing concern for authorities, yet another case was reported from Buldhana district in the State’s Amravati division.
With these fresh cases, Pune district’s tally of positive cases stands at 52, while Buldhana’s tally has reached five.
11.10 AM | RAJASTHAN
Another death in Rajasthan
An 85-year-old man from Alwar, who had tested COVID-19 positive and was admitted to Sawai Man Singh Government Hospital in Jaipur two days ago, died on Thursday. Cause of death is brain stroke paralysis, according to preliminary analysis.
Nine more COVID-19 cases have been detected in Rajasthan today. Seven of them are from the curfew-bound Ramganj area of Jaipur, and two are from Jodhpur and Jhunjhunu. The Jhunjhunu patient is a member of Tablighi Jamaat cluster.
The tally in Rajasthan is now 111.
11 AM | WORLD
World could face a food crisis: UN, WTO
The heads of three global agencies warned on Wednesday of the risk of a worldwide “food shortage” if authorities fail to manage the ongoing COVID-19 crisis properly.
Many governments around the world have put their populations on lockdown causing severe slow-downs in international trade and food supply chains. Panic buying by people going into confinement has already demonstrated the fragility of supply chains as supermarket shelves emptied in many countries.
10.40 AM | WORLD
First UNSC meeting on COVID19 by next week or before: Council President
The UN Security Council is likely to meet for the first time by “next week or before” to discuss the coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 42,000 people globally, according to Dominican Republic Ambassador Jose Singer, the current president of the world body’s top organ.
The Dominican Republic assumed the rotating presidency of the powerful 15-nation council for the month of April, taking the baton from China, a permanent and veto-welding member.10.30 AM | HARYANA
As many as 113 people, most of them Tablighi Jamaat workers, have been traced in Haryana’s Palwal district on Wednesday night, says the CMO
This includes frequent visitors to Nizamuddin Tabligh centre. Thirty-one of them have been kept in an isolation centre at Civil Hospital, and their samples have been taken. The rest have been sent to NGF quarantine centre, added the CMO.
10.15 AM | ODISHA
5 held in Odisha for posting false messages on WhatsApp, Facebook
At least five persons, including a woman, have been arrested in Odisha’s Bhadrak district on the charge of posting false messages on different social media platforms to create panic about the COVID-19pandemic.
While two persons were arrested from Bhadrak town police station area for posting false messages on WhatsApp, the woman was arrested from the same locality for posting false messages on Facebook on Wednesday, according to Bhadrak district police.
10 AM | INDIA
India sees a sharp spike in infections
India reported three deaths and over 370 new cases on April 1 — the highest-ever single-day increase in its COVID-19 tally.
This brought the total confirmed cases to 1,637 and took the death toll to 38. One hundred and thirty two persons have been cured/discharged from hospitals after recovery, the Union Health Ministry said at its daily press briefing, which was the shortest in a month as questions were restricted to a couple of media outlets.
9.45 AM | BIHAR
With one more positive case detected in Bihar on Wednesday, the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the State has gone up to 24.9.25 AM | GUJARAT
A 52-year-old man infected with coronavirus died in Vadodara.
He and his wife had recently visited Sri Lanka, and had been tested positive for COVID-19. Three other family members have also been infected.
With this, the death toll in Gujarat climbs to seven.
9 AM | KARNATAKA
Nearly 1,500 from Karnataka may have attended Tablighi event
About 1,500 people from Karnataka may have attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Nizamuddin West, Delhi, from March 8 to 20. Of these, the State has been able to trace 800 people and 143 of these have been found to be symptomatic.
Jawaid Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), said that the Centre had sent the list of 1,500 people to the State. “We cannot say if all these have attended the congregation. Some of them may have attended and some may be the contacts of those who have attended. We have been able to trace 800 from the list and samples of 143 symptomatic persons have been sent for tests,” he said.
8.30 AM | PUNJAB
Punjab reports fifth death
Punjab on Thursday reported its fifth COVID-19 related death, a senior official said.
The 62-year-old patient, who was a former ‘Hazoori Raagi’ at Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar has passed away in the wee hours of Thursday.
K.B.S. Sidhu, Special Chief Secretary, Punjab Disaster Management tweeted the information about the death of patient. The patient was tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and was undergoing treatment in Amritsar.
8.15 AM | ASSAM
15 more test positive in Assam, all attended Nizamuddin meet
Fifteen more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Assam, taking the total number of such cases in the State to 16, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. All the patients had attended a congregation organised by the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West last month, Sarma tweeted.
Assam now has the highest number of cases in the Northeast, followed by Manipur and Mizoram with one case each.
8 AM | INDIA
Tablighi Jamaat headquarters cleared
All occupants of the Tablighi Jamaat headquarters, at the centre of an extensive net of the novel coronavirus transmission, were evacuated by early Wednesday, even as the authorities scrambled to identify and quarantine visitors who had returned home to various parts of the country.
At least 29 more occupants tested positive on Wednesday, taking the total in Delhi alone to 53.
A thrilling video of two male tigers fighting over a territory has gone viral on the internet
Territorial fight between two full grown #tigers. Listen with headphones. Powerful Roar & it's echo from Indian #forests. Via WA. Today project tiger has completed 47 years in #India. pic.twitter.com/hiLonKXrif
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 1, 2020
In the clip, the two tigers fight aggressively as tourists watch them from a distance. One can also hear the loud roar of both the male tigers in the video, which Kaswan received on WhatsApp, as they fight to claim the territory.
In the thread, Kaswan revealed that during such territorial fights there is also a good chance of death of the tigers.
After the video was shared on Twitter, it quickly garnered around 19.7k views and 1.7k likes. Netizens took to the comments section to share their views. One user wrote, “Some people just get so lucky to capture such a rare sight. Amazing.”
Peacocks took over the streets of Mumbai as pictures flooded social media.
t was nothing short of a wonderful sight for Mumbaikars as peacocks were spotted in the Maharashtra capital over the past few days. Ever since the nationwide lockdown in India from March 25, several animals and birds have been spotted on streets across several cities. More on that later.
Mumbai-based photographer Manav Manglani shared pictures and videos of peacocks dancing on empty streets in the Maximum city on Instagram.
“Full bloom. The peacocks are out and dancing on the empty streets of #Mumbai,” Manav said in the caption of his post, adding that it is a rare sight.
Ramayan or Ramayana: Ramayan is the story of Ram, composed by the Sage Valmiki around 500 BC and which has been retold in different versions many times thereafter. For many people, “Ram” is identified as a chant, a magic word and the divine personified, the omnipresent, who is there in every grain of sand, a noble king, a gentle prince, the blue deity who roamed across the country carrying the people of different cultures along with him, wherever he went. Such is the power and the appeal of this captivating story of a Prince, who suffers many adversities in life that it has a mesmerising effect on everyone who reads it or recounts this story, that it remains unsurpassed by any other mythological epic.
The popularity of Ramayan: The Ramayan is loved by millions, not only in India, but all across the globe. Early migrants to Surinam, Fiji, Guiana, Mauritius, the West Indies etc. carried the story in their hearts, that was a source of strength to them – living away from their motherland. Many Asian countries like Burma, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mongolia etc. have adopted and internalised the Epic giving it local adaptations/versions. Different Versions & Adaptations: Within India too, different cultural and ethnic groups have adapted this Epic to the local cultural frameworks, selectively highlighting certain events or characters in their narratives and thereby enriching the great Ramayan tradition. While the Valmiki Ramayan is in Sanskrit and follows a simple narrative, there are other versions in different languages – Aadhyatm Ramayan, supposedly composed by Vyas, Kamba Ramayan written by the poet Kambar in the 12th Century in Tamil, Krittivasi Ramayan written by Krittibas Ojha in Bengali et al. Nevertheless, the overwhelmingly popular version is the “Ramcharitmanas” written by Sant Tulsidas in the 15th Century in Awadhi. This version emphasises on the supreme human qualities, the power of devotion (or “bhakti”) and the importance of the popular social norms and proper conduct etc. The focus of Tulsidas’s version is more on how the righteous carry out their duties and responsibilities.
The basic story-line: The basic storyline, as narrated by Valmiki is the story of Ram, the Prince of Ayodhya, who practices the ideal code of conduct. The progressively nuanced narration of Ramayan has many instances that reflect upon equanimity and mental equipoise depicting Ram as “Maryada Purushottam Ram” (meaning “Ram, who is the ideal human being”).
The Sage Maharishi Vishwamitra takes Ram and his brother Laxman as his disciples, teaching them the intricacies of using arms and weapons. One day they reach Mithila, where the King, Janak, came to welcome them and he was spell-bound by the radiance of the two Ayodhya princes. Before their visit to Mithila, King Janak and his wife Sunaina had announced that they would marry their beautiful daughter Sita to anyone who could mount an arrow on the “Shiv-Dhanush” ( the bow & arrow of the Hindu god Shiv). Ram did this effortlessly. King Janak’s happiness knew no bounds and he happily married Sita to Ram.
Ram’s father, King Dashrath wanted to declare his eldest son Ram as the “Yujraj” (“Crown Prince”) of Ayodhya. But, Manthara, the maid of Queen Kaikeyi (one of the three wives of King Dashrath to whom Dashrath had promised that he would grant her two wishes, whenever she requested him to grant them), poisoned Kaikeyi’s mind by confiding in her mistress that King Dashrath had been partial to Ram and that Kaikeyi’s own son Bharat should be made the future King of Ayodhya.
Kaikeyi demanded that Bharat be made the “Yuvraj” of Ayodhya as he first wish and that Ram be banished from Ayodhya for a period of 14 years.
King Dashrath was crest-fallen from these two requests, but was unable to persuade Kaikeyi to change her mind. Ultimately, he had to grant her two wishes and declare Bharat as the “Yuvraj” and banish Ram from the Kingdom of Ayodhya for 14 years.
Ram who loved and respected his father very much, left Ayodhya accompanied by his wife Sita and his brother, Laxman.
Ram, Sita and Laxman had found shelter in Chitrakoot. Bharat soon followed them to Chitrakoot, and begged Ram to return to Ayodhya, while also informing him that heir father Dashrath, heart-broken with banishing Ram from the kingdom had passed away. Ram was firm in his decision not to return to Ayodhya before 14 years as ordered by his father. Bharat, then requested Ram to give him his “wooden paduka” (“wooden slippers”) which he kept on the throne of Ayodhya for 14 years, symbolic that he was ruling during this period on behalf of his elder brother Ram.
In the Epic–
“Kewat” is the boatman who ferried people across the holy River Ganga (or Ganges). It was in his boat that Ram, sita and Laxman crossed the river.
“Shabari” was the disciple of Sage Matang, who lived near Pampa lake. She was too old and sick and her only desire was to meet Ram before she passed away. She was so overwhelmed to see Ram in her hut that she fed him sweet berries after tasting them. This story is known as the episode of “Shabari Ke Joothe Ber” in the Ramayan.
Later, due to an unfortunate turn of events, Sita was taken away forcefully by Ravan, the King of Lanka. The valiant bird “Jatayu” answered to her screams by attacking Ravan’s chariot but Ravan cut off his wings. Wounded, he fell to the ground and struggled to keep alive. He passed away after informing Ram about the catastrophe.
The God Hanuman was sent to search for Sita in Lanka. He took a leap towards the sky and flew towards Lanka. He saw her in a garden “Ashok Vatika” and appeared before her cautiously and carefully, introducing himself. He showed a ring which was Ram’s to gain her trust. She was overwhelmed and had tears of joy in her eyes on knowing that her location had been found by Ram’s emissary.
After conquering Lanka with the help of the “Vanar” Kingdom, Ram returned to Ayodhya and ruled for a long time. During the period of his reign known as “Ram Rajya” “Ram’s reign”), Ayodhya became very prosperous and there was no sorrow. People were happy and content. Ram was an able king who believed in justice and equality.
In the “Uttar Kand” of Tulsidas’s “Ramcharitmanas” and in Bhasa’s “Uttar Rancharit” the story further progresses depicting Sita’s life in the jungle in the ashram of the Sage Valmiki.
Ramayan is a story of Maryada Purushottam Ram, upholder of righteous values of Dharma. This is a story of an ideal king, a noble ruler, a protector of social values and above all of a brave and gentle person. The story has been told and retold in different times and different places . The inspiring , empowering and enchanting story will enthrall millions for all times. The Stamp set released on the occasion:
The 11 Stamp set and related items were released on 22.09.2017 by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Tulsi Manas Mandir at Varanasi in the evening. This place was chosen for the release because this temple honours the works of Tulsidas.
The First Day Cover (FDC) issued on the Ramayan
It shows at left. Tulsidas writing his version of the Epic in a garden. The 11 stamp issued in the set are placed together and Cancelled with a New Delhi Head Office stamp dated “22.09.2017”.
In the centre top is the logo of the Swachh Bharat Campaign ” (“Clean India Mission”) with its slogan “Ek Kadam Swachta Ki Ore” (meaning “A Step Towards Cleanliness”).
The Miniature Sheet (MS) issued on the occasion is titled “Ramayan” in both Hindi & English
The Whole set showing the FDC with Cancelled stamps. the Miniature Sheet (MS) & the Sheetlet of Stamps issued at the time of release of the stamps
The Information Brochure issued by India Post with the release of this stamp set The individual Stamps:
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Ram stringing the bow of the Hindu God Shiv and winning Sita’s hand in marriage, who waits nearby with a garland in hand
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Dashrath, with a heavy heart, exiling Lord Ram for a period of 14 years
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Bharat visiting Chitrakoot and requests Ram to return to Ayodhya and Become King of Ayodhya, which is rightfully Ram’s to rule
“Kevat”, the Boat-man who is ferrying Ram, Sita and Lakshman over the River Ganges
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/- shows Ram consoling a dying Jatayu who is narrating the tale of Sita’s abduction by Ravan and his attempts to save her from being abducted/kidnapped
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Shabari feeding the sweet Ber after tasting them
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows the God Hanuman at the Ashok Vatika presenting Sita with Ram’s ring, as an emissary
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows a “Setu”(Bridge) being built across the Indian Ocean. to Lanka. The word Ram appears on every brick/stone being used for the bridge construction, which makes the stone lighter in weight and being able to float. Meanwhile, Ram touches a squirrel and pets its back. It is believed that the black lines on its back are made with Ram’s palm passing over its back.
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows the God Hanuman bringing the mountain Dronagiri to Lanka, flying through the air. On this mountain the herbs were growing which brought Laxman back to consciousness from a near comatose condition after being injured in a battle with Ravan’s army.
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Ram, with the assistance of soldiers from the Vanar kingdom, attacking Ravan’s troops
The above Stamp of 1500 Paise or Rs.15/-shows Ram’s Darbar (Ram’s Court), in Ayodhya, after winning the Lanka War and bringing Sita safely back to Ayodhya. While Ram and Sita sit on the throne, in attendance are the God Hanuman and Ram’s brothers Laxman and Bharat
The Sheetlet of 11 stamps also carries an enlarged image of the Ram Darbar. Technical Data: Issuer: Department of Posts, India or India Post Denomination of stamps: 155 Paise or Rs.15/- (one stamp), 500 Paise or Rs.5/- (Ten stamps) No. of Miniature Sheets issued: 300,000No. of Sheetlets printed: 700,000 Printing Process: Wet Offset Printer: Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
