The weather was quite nice today, so Shruti and I set off on a small bike ride, along the River Stångån.

India celebrates 5th September, the birthday of its second President, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, as Teacher’s Day. Schools in India often have functions honoring Radhakrishnan, and present small mementos or gifts to teachers. The functions often include plays and skits with children playing the part of teachers. I remember how we’d pool together money we’d saved away from our meagre pocket money, and buy something for our teachers. Even the naughty students and those who forgot to bring in their homeworks would be spared from the otherwise mandatory caning, on this day! Some teachers would even crack a rare smile, making us wonder why they didn’t smile more often :)

A close friend of mine, Ankit Dangi, is a Jain, and each year, as part of the Jain tradition, he observes Kshamavani or ‘Forgiveness Day’, on the last day of the annual Paryushana festival. He must have attracted lots of questions from perplexed and puzzled people who didn’t know the religious significance of the message, when he posted messages seeking forgiveness, on social media, so he now includes information about the festival, in addition to the traditional message, asking for forgiveness for any hurt caused, either knowingly or unknowingly.

Today was Gowri Habba, i.e. the day Goddess Gowri aka Parvati, is worshipped. Here’s the wiki page for the festival. Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha, and the festivals of Gowri and Ganesha are celebrated on consecutive days. Ganesh Chuturthi or Ganesha Habba (habba in Kannada means festival) is celebrated across the length and breadth of India (and by expats abroad!), while Gowri habba is more prevalent in the southern part of India.