The Karuna Abhiyaan 2021 started in Gujarat, recently. This operation was started in collaboration with the Forest Department in order to look after the injured animal and birds. The operation will continue daily starting from the January 10, 2021 to January 20, 2021 in between 7 am to 6 pm.
This year, the state government has announced the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the light of increasing bird flu cases and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in parts of Gujarat. This was announced since the human coming in contact with the birds who are infected with the bird flu could also get the infection.
The word Uttarayan has been derived words. ‘Uttara’ meaning North and ‘ayana’ meaning movement. Thus, the northward movement of the Earth on the celestial sphere is called as the Uttarayan. This movement towards North starts a day after the winter solstice that occurs around December 22 and ends for a six-month period around summer solstice around June 21. The day also marks the celebration of Makara Sankranti.
The Makara Sankranti is an Indian and Nepali festival is dedicated to the deity Surya (sun). The festival is observed in the lunar month of Magha (month of January). On this day, the people of India and Nepal celebrate the harvest. The day also marks the first day of the sun’s transit into Makara rashi.
The kite festival is one of the biggest festivals that is celebrated in the state of Gujarat on the occasion of Uttarayan.