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Everything You Need To Know About Navroze: The Persian New Year

Navroze, also known as the Persian New Year, is a vibrant and ancient festival celebrated by millions of people around the world. It marks the arrival of spring and is observed in countries like Iran, India, Pakistan, and many parts of Central Asia. The festival usually falls on March 20th or 21st, symbolizing a fresh start and the end of winter.

With roots dating back over 3,000 years in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), Navroze is a celebration of nature, life, and renewal. It is a time to reflect on the past, welcome the future, and, most importantly, to celebrate the changing of the seasons with joy and festivities.

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The Significance of the Haft-Seen Table

One of the most iconic traditions associated with Navroze is the Haft-Seen table. This table is decorated with seven symbolic items that all begin with the Persian letter “S.” Each of these items represents a different blessing for the upcoming year, such as health, wealth, and happiness. The seven items placed on the Haft-Seen table include:

  1. Sabzeh (sprouts) – Symbolizing rebirth and growth.
  2. Samanu (a sweet pudding) – Representing strength and power.
  3. Senjed (dried oleaster fruit) – Symbolizing love and compassion.
  4. Seer (garlic) – For health and protection.
  5. Seeb (apple) – Representing beauty and good health.
  6. Somāq (sumac berries) – Symbolizing the sunrise, patience, and the triumph of good over evil.
  7. Serkeh (vinegar) – For wisdom and aging.

These items not only represent wishes for the new year but also hold deep cultural and spiritual meanings for those who celebrate Navroze.

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Food and Festivities: A Taste of Navroze

No celebration is complete without food, and Navroze is no exception! This festival is a time for people to indulge in delicious dishes, particularly sweets like baklava and other pastries, which are enjoyed by families and friends during gatherings. In addition to sweets, rice-based dishes such as Sabzi Polo Mahi (herbed rice with fish) are commonly served.

Navroze is also a time for community celebrations. People come together to share meals, dance, sing, and enjoy each other’s company. The festivities are filled with traditional music, folk dances, and cultural performances that bring everyone into the spirit of renewal and joy.

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A Time for Renewal and Reflection

The word “Navroze” translates to “new day,” and the festival celebrates the arrival of a new season. It is not just a day of merriment but also a time for personal reflection. As people gather around the Haft-Seen table, they take a moment to reflect on the past year, cherish the blessings they’ve received, and set positive intentions for the year ahead. It is a beautiful reminder to embrace change and start a new.

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Global Celebration of Navroze

Though Navroze has its origins in Persia, today, it is celebrated by people from various cultural backgrounds across the globe. Whether in Iran, India, Pakistan, or Central Asia, the core message of Navroze remains the same: a celebration of life, renewal, and hope. The festival brings people together, bridging cultures and communities through shared traditions and joyous celebrations.

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Navroze is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of life itself. As we celebrate this ancient tradition, we honor the arrival of spring, the season of growth, and the opportunity for new beginnings. Whether you’re setting up your Haft-Seen table, sharing meals with loved ones, or simply reflecting on the past year, Navroze reminds us to embrace change, welcome new opportunities, and celebrate the beauty of life.

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Snooker Superstar Pankaj Advani Strikes Again

Pankaj Advani, the snooker superstar from India, just won the 2025 Asian Snooker Championship in Doha. This is his 14th gold medal at this championship! Pankaj Advani faced off against Amir Sarkhosh from Iran in the final match. It was an intense battle, but Pankaj Advani showed off his amazing skills and won with a score of 6-3. Imagine him making those tricky shots while everyone is watching – that takes a lot of focus!

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This tournament is super important because it brings together the best snooker players from Asia. Pankaj’s victory not only adds to his impressive collection of medals but also makes him a true champion in the sport. He’s like a superhero in the world of snooker! So, next time you hear about snooker, remember Pankaj Advani – he’s making history one shot at a time!

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Glowing Birds: Birds-Of-Paradise

Scientists just discovered that many of them have feathers that glow! This superpower is called biofluorescence. That means they can absorb light (especially blue or UV light) and then shoot it back out as a different colour, like green or yellow-green. Think of it like a built-in highlighter.

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Scientists discovered that 37 out of 45 species of birds-of-paradise absorb UV or blue light and then emit light at lower frequencies. Basically, these birds are even flashier than we thought! They use glowing feathers as a way to show off, attract mates, and maybe even blend in. Scientists think that these birds can see this glow really well, as their eyes match the wavelengths of the glow. It just goes to show, nature is full of surprises! This study was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

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Para Swimmer Jiya Rai Conquers The World!

Get ready to be inspired! Jiya Rai, a 17-year-old swimmer from Mumbai, is making waves (literally!) all over the world. She has just won the World Open Water Swimming Association Award (“WOWSA”), which is like the Oscars for open water swimming! What makes Jiya Rai so amazing? Well, she’s a para swimmer, meaning she has a disability – Autism Spectrum Disorder. But that doesn’t stop her! She’s also the youngest female para swimmer ever to swim across the English Channel all by herself! That’s a 34-kilometer swim, which took her over 17 hours! She’s not just stopping there!

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Jiya Rai is on a mission to swim across all the oceans! She’s already swam across the Palk Strait, and even swam 1,100 km from Mumbai to Goa as part of a relay team. Jiya Rai is the first Indian to receive the WOWSA Award, and people all over India are celebrating her amazing achievements. She’s won many of medals, and even got awards from the President of India and Prime Minister Modi. Jiya Rai proves that with hard work and determination, anything is possible!

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Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them. Think of it like having a brain that works differently. Autism isn’t an illness; it’s just a different way of thinking and being. With the right support and understanding, people with autism can live happy and successful lives!

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Turtles Takeover: Recording Nesting In Odisha

Imagine a beach in India where hundreds of thousands of sea turtles are throwing a massive egg-laying party! That’s what’s happening right now in Odisha, India. Over 6.82 lakh Olive Ridley sea turtles have waddled ashore to lay their eggs – that’s a new record! They’re all gathering at Rushikulya river mouth, Gahirmatha beach and Devi river mouth.

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They call this event “arribada,” which means “arrival” in Spanish, and it’s a total turtle takeover! These Olive Ridley turtles are the smallest sea turtles around, and they’re super busy digging nests with their back flippers. Each mama turtle lays about 50-100 eggs, buries them in the sand, and then heads back out to sea. Now, here’s the cool part: those eggs chill out under the sand for about 45-55 days, like they’re on a mini-vacation. 

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Then, BAM! They hatch, and tons of tiny baby turtles start crawling towards the ocean. It’s like a turtle baby rush hour! Sometimes, these turtles skip a year of nesting at the beach, and scientists aren’t exactly sure why. It could be weather stuff or other mysterious reasons. But don’t worry, there are awesome people helping these turtles out! They’re protecting the beaches, keeping lights dim so the turtles don’t get confused, and making sure no one’s fishing too close to the nesting site. There’s even a special operation called “Operation Olivia” using drones and boats to keep the turtles safe. How cool is that?

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