Culture
GURUGRAM: Stone-age carvings found in Aravalis in Gurugram
GURUGRAM: The trove of history that the Aravalis hold has widened with the latest discovery of stone carvings that archaeologists say date back to the Paleolithic period or the Stone Age.
The petroglyphs discovered in Badshapur Tethar village of Sohna include graffiti, and hand and footprints of humans and animals engraved on quartzite rocks. The site is atop a hillock and just 6km from Mangar, where cave paintings believed to be from the same period were discovered in 2021. The carvings, however, seem to be older, experts said. The Paleolithic era spans from about 25 lakh years to 10,000 BP (before present, the carbon dating marker that archaeologists use with 1950 treated as the base year).
Spread across a 2km radius, the latest site was discovered recently by Sunil Harsana, an ecologist and wildlife researcher. He informed the archaeological department about what seemed to be carvings from the Stone Age and requested a thorough examination of them. On Sunday, a team of archaeologists confirmed that the rocks indeed dated back to the Paleolithic period.
“Several tools and equipment used to make them were found at the site as well. Though the rocks have withered away with time and because of exposure to harsh weather conditions, the carvings are clearly visible,” Harsana told TOI.
The journey to the site is arduous. After an 80-minute trek, which involves negotiating thorny bushes that cling to the trail, sharp rocks and slippery pebbles, this correspondent reached the top of the hill where the rocks bearing the petroglyphs lay scattered.
There might have been, and could still be, more treasures waiting to be discovered in ancient ranges. Much might have been lost to mining, ground to dust in the cavernous pits carved into the hills. But on some of the pristine stretches, experts don’t rule out more such discoveries.
“These findings are remarkable examples of Indian prehistory. They mark the progress of human civilisation. I believe the carvings are more than 10,000 BP old. But the exact date can be ascertained only after a survey,” said Banani Bhattacharyya, deputy director of the Haryana directorate of archaeology and museums. “This gives us a chance to see how the earliest of humans developed tools. Most of the carvings are of animal paws and human footprints. There are some basic symbols, which had presumably been kept for some special purpose,” she added.
Divay Gupta, an adviser to the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), said, “These petroglyphs are highly significant, considering their antiquity can go to prehistory. These can be territorial, or used for ancient games or record-keeping. It is, however, difficult to date them exactly or ascribe them a definite function at the moment. But further studies should be done on them.”
Officials in the archaeological department said they would soon carry out an extensive survey of the area. “Yes, we are aware of the findings. This region is a cradle of human civilisation. If we look at the Saraswati-Sindhu civilisation, its full cycle began in this belt. There is evidence of pre-Vedic and Vedic existence as well. We will carry out surveys for further research,” said MD Sinha, the principal secretary (archaeology and museums).
Paleolithic paintings have been discovered in the region earlier. In 2021, the archaeological department discovered a 5,000-hectare site in Faridabad’s Mangar, where cave paintings were found along with rock shelters and tools.
Among the items that were found were pebbles and flake-based tools, hinting at a site where stone tools were manufactured — this ‘Acheulean’ industry was the first tradition of standardised tool-making, according to archaeologists. They also believe that the stone paintings could be the largest in the Indian subcontinent. In 2021, carvings similar to the ones discovered on Saturday were found in Kot village of Faridabad. There were also graffiti of birds, animals and human footprints.
The Aravalis have been a subject of pre-historic research for several decades. In 1986, stone paintings were discovered in Anangpur area of Faridabad. A total of 43 sites were traced then, prompting researchers to start surveys of the area every now and then.
NEW YORK: Celebrations sparkled up the Times Square in New York City yesterday as the Indian community and several US citizens gathered to observe the Hindu festival of lights.
The event featured performances from various cultural groups. Among the notable attendees were Mayor Eric Adams, New York State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, Senator Chuck Schumer and Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Pradhan. Ms Rajkumar has been a key advocate for recognizing Diwali as a school holiday in the USA throughout.
Mayor Adams took to social media platform X (formerly, Twitter) to address the event.
“Proud to be with our Hindu brothers and sisters today for the annual Diwali at Times Square celebration as we push away the darkness and welcome in light all across our city,” he wrote.
What better place to celebrate the festival of lights than in the Crossroads of the World?
Proud to be with our Hindu brothers and sisters today for the annual Diwali at Times Square celebration as we push away the darkness and welcome in light all across our city. pic.twitter.com/VauEgY14IO
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 20, 2024
The official Twitter account of the Consulate General of India, New York also shared pictures of the glamourous celebrations on social media.
Diwali @ TimesSquare : Indian American Community & American Friends join together at Times Square to celebrate Diwali.@narendramodi @PMOIndia @MEAIndia @IndianEmbassyUS @IndianDiplomacy @diaspora_india @binaysrikant76 pic.twitter.com/kylTXrtbni
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) October 20, 2024
Neeta Bhasin, founder of Diwali at Times Square, also played an instrumental role during the celebration. The festivities culminated in a ceremonial lighting of diyas (lamps), symbolizing hope and renewal.
Diwali has been celebrated in the heart of New York City since 2013. As attendees gathered to witness this moment, they were reminded of the festival’s core values and its ability to unite diverse communities.
CG @binaysrikant76 joined friends from Indian-American Community & American friends to celebrate Diwali; Spl thanks to Senate Majority Leader Senator @SenSchumer , Mayor Eric Adams @NYCMayor , Assemblywoman @JeniferRajkumar for joining & to main organiser of the event Ms. Neeta… pic.twitter.com/Ul7gsLoiYb
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) October 20, 2024
Diwali has also been officially recognized as a school holiday in New York City last year. About 4.4 million Indian origin people reside in the US with persons of Indian origin constituting the third largest Asian ethnic group in the US, according to ANI. New York, San Francisco and Chicago metropolitan areas are places in the USA which have the highest population of the Indian community in the country.
Another event to commemorate Diwali was organised by the Indian Consulate in Pennsylvania.
Deputy Consul General @varunjeph joined the Diwali celebrations by Khalsa Asian American Association in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania along with members of the Indian diaspora and Asian American community.
Thank you @UpperDarbyPA Mayor Ed Brown and PA State Senator Tim Kearny… pic.twitter.com/6LzwVJ3FR1
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) October 20, 2024
Deputy Consul General Varun Jeph joined the Diwali celebrations by the Khalsa Asian American Association along with members of the Indian and Asian American community.
While the festive spirit, through such events and recognitions, continues to exhibit an attempt at endeavours towards fostering a spirit of unity and equality, the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)’s recent report showed another side of South Asian experiences. As reported by Reuters, the AAPI study shows that South Asian people in the US have been facing alarmingly high levels of hate ahead of the 2024 elections, which transcends not just to the common people but also to heavyweights such as Kamala Harris, and Usha Vance. Such celebrations of South Asian festivities thus do their bit in bringing together the diverse communities in a dazzling show of vibrant unity across the globe.
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a video message to ‘the attendees, emphasizing the festival’s role in promoting unity and goodwill. He stated that Diwali serves as a reminder of the victory of good over evil and the importance of knowledge over ignorance. He has also highlighted the importance of the Indian community in the US and referred to them as a ‘living bridge’ connecting the two places. Diwali falls on November 1st this year.
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed tens of thousands of Indian-Americans in a grand community event at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. The chants of “Modi, Modi” filled the stadium as the prime minister walked on stage to address people of Indian origin.
The Prime Minister started his speech with the chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai!”. He began by saying that even the ‘Namaste’ has gone from being local to global, and credited the Indians settled overseas for it.
A series of cultural performances entertained the people gathered at the stadium, who were enthused as they waited for the Prime Minister’s arrival.
During his speech, Prime Minister fondly recalled his previous community events in the United States – 2014 at the Madison Square Garden, 2016 in San Jose, California, 2018 in Houston, Texas, 2023 in Washington and now in Long Island.
He credited the Indians settled in the United States. He said that they have been the bridge between the two nations and have helped strengthen the India-US relationship. He said “you all have come seven seas apart, but nothing can ever take the love of India away from your hearts and souls.”
He said that people from different parts of India may have settled overseas – here in the US too and have become US citizens, but “the sentiment that brings us all together is, ‘Bharat Mata ki…(Jai! chanted the spectators)’.”
“This sentiment is what keeps us united, and this is our biggest strength, no matter where we go in the world,” he said, adding that “It is this sentiment that helps us be peaceful, law abiding global citizens – what makes India proud of its children – and makes the world realise that India is the world’s ‘Vishwa-Bandhu’.”
Calling the Indians settled in the United States ‘Rashtradoot’ (Ambassadors), the prime minister thanked the Indian community in the United States for the respect India has earned in that country, adding that “It is our Indian values and culture that makes us One.”
WASHINGTON: Dhruvi Patel, a Computer Information System student from the USA, has been declared the winner of Miss India Worldwide 2024, the longest running Indian pageant outside of India.
Dhruvi aspires to be a Bollywood actor and UNICEF Ambassador.
“Winning Miss India Worldwide is such an incredible honour. It’s more than a crown – it represents my heritage, my values, and the opportunity to inspire others on a global scale,” Dhruvi said after her crowning in Edison, New Jersey.
Lisa Abdoelhak from Suriname was declared the first runner-up, while Malvika Sharma from the Netherlands was adjudged the second runner-up in the same race.
In the Mrs category, SuAnn Mouttet from Trinidad and Tobago was the winner, with Sneha Nambiar the first and Pawandip Kaur from the United Kingdom the second-runner up.
In the Teen category, Sierra Suret from Guadeloupe was crowned Miss Teen India Worldwide.
Shreya Singh from the Netherlands and Shradha Tedjoe from Suriname were declared the first and second runners-up.
The beauty pageant is organised by New York-based India Festival Committee and is headed by Indian-Americans Neelam and Dharmatma Saran.
The crown is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year.
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