CM expresses fear of violence in N Bengal
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday expressed apprehension of violence a day before the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in North Bengal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday wished her ‘Punjabi brothers’ and ‘sisters’ on the occasion of Lohri festival.
Banerjee took to Twitter saying, “Wishing good health, happiness and prosperity to all my Punjabi brothers and sisters on the occasion of Lohri”.
Wishing good health, happiness and prosperity to all my Punjabi brothers and sisters on the occasion of Lohri
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ਲੋਹੜੀ ਦੇ ਸ਼ੁਭ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਮੂਹ ਦੇਸ਼ ਵਾਸੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਖ-ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ। ਰੱਬ ਕਰੇ ਇਹ ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ-ਖੇੜੇ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਆਵੇ।
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 13, 2018
About Lohri festival:
Lohri is a popular winter time Punjabi folk festival, celebrated primarily by Sikhs and Hindus from the Punjab region of Indian subcontinent.
Lohri marks the end of winter season, and is a traditional welcome of longer days and sun’s journey to the northern hemisphere. It is observed the night before Makar Sakranti. Lohri is also seen as a harvest festival by farmers, the festival is traditionally associated with the harvest of the rabi crops. The traditional time to harvest sugarcane crops is January, therefore, Lohri is seen by some to be a harvest festival.
Lohri involves a Puja Parikrama around the bonfire and distribution of prasad. This symbolizes a prayer to Agni, the spark of life, for abundant crops and prosperity. The first Lohri of a newborn child and a newlywed bride is considered very auspicious.
Lohri is an official gazetted holiday in the state of Punjab, where the festival is celebrated by all communities. 
On the day of the festival, Lohri rituals are performed, with the accompaniment of special Lohri songs. Singing and dancing form an intrinsic part of the celebrations. People perform bhangraand gidda to usher in the clebrations.
Lohri holds great importance for farmers. However, people residing in urban areas also celebrate Lohri.
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