Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has marked the beginning of the New Year for several years with a spiritual journey, maintaining a personal tradition that blends devotion with a taste of local flavour. His destination is the renowned Shani Shingnapur temple located in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district.
A Sweet Stop on a Spiritual Journey
An integral part of Chouhan's annual pilgrimage is his customary halt at a specific roadside shop to relish fresh sugarcane juice. This year was no exception, as the Minister, accompanied by his wife, visited the temple on New Year's Day. The visit included a unique hands-on experience where Chouhan tried operating the traditional oxen-pulled sugarcane crushing machine himself. Interestingly, the shop bears the name "Mama Raswanti," though it is reported that this is not a reference to Chouhan's popular nickname "Mama."
Senior Bureaucrat Returns to Delhi After Controversy
In a separate development following a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, 1994-batch AGMUT-cadre IAS officer Sanjeev Khirwar is poised for a return to the national capital in a senior position. Khirwar last served in Delhi as the Principal Secretary (Revenue) and Divisional Commissioner. His transfer out of Delhi was initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2022 amid a controversy where athletes training at Thyagraj Stadium were allegedly asked to finish early so the officer could walk his dog there.
Khirwar is currently returning from his posting in Ladakh, where he held the portfolio of Principal Secretary for Health, Labour, Medical Education, Employment, Forests, among other duties.
Akhilesh Yadav's Assortment of New Year Gifts
Meanwhile, in Lucknow, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav received an eclectic mix of presents from party workers who came to greet him for the New Year. Beyond the usual bouquets and good wishes, the gifts presented to Yadav included traditional sweets like laddoos and jaggery, along with water chestnut, guavas, and a small toy tractor fitted with a music system. The former Chief Minister personally met all the workers who visited the party office to extend their greetings.
These events highlight the diverse ways in which India's political figures observed the turn of the year, from personal spiritual routines and administrative changes to light-hearted interactions with supporters.
