Uttarakhand Samaj of Greater Chicago Hosts Its Traditional, Colorful, Musical Baithaki Holi !

Author: By Richa Chand  Chicago, IL, March 15, 2022 – USOGC (Uttarakhand Samaj of Greater Chicago), a 501c3 status charitable organization, hosted Kumaoni style Baithaki Holi on March 12th 2022, 12pm to 4pm at Hoffman Estates, IL, with full josh and fervor with Uttarakhandi family & friends. In Uttarakhand, there’s a unique tradition to celebrate Holi, in the Kumaon region and now the entire state has adopted this tradition of Baithaki Holi (बैठकी होली), (literally Sitting Holi), which is a form of musical gathering starting from the day of Basant Panchmi held all across Kumaon till the Dulhendi (or the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna). It was a  bright and beautiful day, and guests came from near and far to celebrate Holi together, dressed in their traditional pahari attire. The ladies were seen wearing ethnic clothing in white and red traditional Holi colors and men in Pahadi kurtas and topis. Beautiful colorful Holi decorations adorned the walls of the Banquet Hall. The guests were greeted and welcomed with a Holi Teeka and splash of colors. In any Baithak, gutka, raita and chai are a must, and so keeping up with the Pahadi traditional ‘Gutka’ dish (made […]

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    Press Release

Restoration of Long Duration (10 years) Regular (Paper) Tourist Visas   Consulate General of India      Chicago …     Press Release Restoration of Long Duration (10 years) Regular (Paper) Tourist Visas           The Government of India has decided to restore old valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA with immediate effect. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for US nationals. In addition, e-Tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year and five years), which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored. Applications for fresh e-tourist visas for eligible nationalities can also be made at the Indian E-Visa Portal [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html] The current scheme of regular tourist visa/e-visa (one month stay only) on gratis basis will also continue. Foreign nationals on tourist/e-tourist visas would be permitted to enter India only through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) or Airport ICPs  by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble’ scheme or by any flights as allowed by Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation. In no case, the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or riverine routes on Tourist visa/E-Tourist […]

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