Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today honoured nine voluntary blood donors who have donated blood more than seventy five times, and eleven organizations which have organized 100 to 3000 blood donation camps last year in the country. Speaking at a function, in New Delhi, Mr. Azad congratulated the voluntary donors and exhorted the youth to come forward and voluntarily donate blood. Mr Azad said that the act of donating blood depicts humanism and nationalism. He said it is an act which bonds societies and communities.

The Health minister said that the demand for blood has gone up in the past few years, whereas the supply to meet the increasing demand is not sufficient. Mr. Azad lauded the efforts of the Indian Red Cross Society, several voluntary organizations and National Aids Control Organisation for continously working towards the aim of blood donation

The people of Assam are celebrating Rongali Bihu to welcome the Assamese New Year 1419 which begins today. The festival is also known as the 'Bohaag Bihu' as it marks the beginning of the Assamese month-Bohaag.

The celebration will last for a week. Bihu functions are being organized across the State with participation of leading

performers. Over 50 Bihu pandals have been erected in Guwahati city alone. Most of the Bihu organizers have decided to pay rich tributes to legendary singer, music maestro, Padma Bibhusan Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, this year, remembering his contribution towards music, culture and literature of the State. Dr. Hazarika passed away in November last year.

Meanwhile, the National Aids Control Organization (NACO), in association with the Assam State AIDS Control Society, has taken up a novel scheme by roping in some leading singers and performers of Bihu functions to help generate awareness about HIV/AIDS which has affected around 14 thousand people in the State besides claiming 419 lives so far.

Also, West Bengal celebrates New Year's Day today. Large number of people are visiting Dakshineswar and Kalighat temples since early morning.

The State Governor Mr. M.K.Narayanan and Chief Minister, Ms. Mamta Banerjee have greeted the people on the occasion. A number of cultural programes have also been organised to mark the day.

The first day of the Bengali New Year known as Poila Baishakh. People are wishing each other Suvo NabaVarsho and exchanging sweets and greetings. Traders opens new books of account which is known as Hal - Khata. The priests draw swastikas on the new account book to please lord Ganesha.

But many businessmen are seen to go the Dakshineswar and Kalighat temples with their personal computers for puja in which they maintained their account instead of traditional ledger book.

Bengali newspapers have also come out with special supplement. People are in festive mood to celebrate the day. Restaurants have also prepared special Bengali dishes on the occasion.

Meanwhile , the harvest festival of Vishu is being celebrated by Keralites living all over the world today. In Kerala, devotees thronged Krishna temples for pre-dawn auspicious Vishukani darshan.

Lord Krishna temple in Guruvayoor and Aiyappa temple in Sabrimalla also received large number of devotees for Vishu festival.

Vishu festival evokes nostalgic feelings in Keralites living in any part of the world. Today is the astronomical new year of Kerala.

The day symbolizes agrian prosperity of the bygone era of God's own country. Early morning Vishukani darshan of aesthetically arranged flower, fruits and vegetable before lord Krishna's idol marks the beginning of Vishu celebration.

Elder members of the family present money and other gifts to family members especially clidren. Mouth watering traditional Kerala feast is another facet of Vishu festival.