Cultural

A program was held on the occassion of Veer Bal Diwas at the BJP state office in Bhopal to mark the sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons. Young Sikh children impressed the audience with Gatka sword stunts. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, BJP leaders, and workers attended the event and paid tribute to the Sahibzadas. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A special program was held at the BJP state office (Mantralaya) in Bhopal on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas on Friday. Veer Bal Diwas is celebrated to honour the sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh’s four sons, known as ‘Chaar Sahibzade‘– Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji, Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji. The event is celebrated every year on December 26– a day ahead of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti (Dec 27). One of the main attractions of the event was– Gatka and Shastra Vidya–performed by the children. The children donning turbans caught everyone’s attention asthey exhibited their excellent skills, known as ‘Gatka,’ a traditional Sikh martial art. Using swords and sticks, the children performed various stunts with confidence and discipline. Gatka is a part of Sikh Shastra Vidya, which teaches self-defence, courage, and physical strength.

The group formed by Gond artist Roshni Vyam aims to share and preserve their knowledge of cultural traditions Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Surteli, a group of Pardhan Gond women, showcased their journey through artworks at an exhibition, Mai /I, for the first time at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) in the city on Saturday. The word, surtheli, is inspired by Pardhan Gondi word surta (memory) and it is also the name of an orange-coloured flower that blooms along riverbanks from February to April. The group formed by Gond artist Roshni Vyam aims to share and preserve their knowledge of cultural traditions. In April 2025, Roshni and several other Pardhan Gond women living in Bhopal came together to laugh, talk and share their experiences. They connected their group’s name to their tradition and chose, surteli, a plant that awakens memories. The exhibition was jointly inaugurated by Padma Shri recipient Gond artist Durga Bai Vyam. She has exhibited her work, winnowing basket (bansa supa). In the painting, she sees herself and all women as mothers who like birds love and care for their young ones no matter what the situation is.

The Cafe Culture House will come up on the same place where the Ravindra Bhavan Cafe of MPSTDC was located—facing the road leading from Polytechnic Square to Lok Bhawan (Raj Bhawan). Ravindra Bhawan Cafe was shut in February this year to facilitate its revamp. The cafe will serve five varieties of coffee: Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Cafe Culture House—Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation’s cafe in the city—will be reopened on the premises of the Ravindra Bhawan on January 14 to mark Makar Sankranti. The upmarket facility will offer coffees, salads, smoothies, shakes, pizzas, burgers, pastas and sandwiches of wide variety, appealing to the younger generation. The Cafe Culture House will come up on the same place where Ravindra Bhavan Cafe of MPSTDC was located – facing the road leading from Polytechnic Square to Lok Bhawan (Raj Bhawan). Ravindra Bhawan Cafe was shut in February this year to facilitate its revamp. The cafe will serve five varieties of coffee: Espresso, Tropicana, Cappuccino, Caffe Latte and Americano. Also on offer will be eight varieties of salads including Indian, Italian and Mexican and a wide range of smoothies and shakes. Pastas, burgers, sandwiches and pizzas will also be available. The new cafe will also have an outlet of MPT Bake House, selling cookies, brownies, breads and cakes. The new cafe will have 90 covers (tables). It will have gazebos, selfie points and a lot more. Managing director, MPSTDC, Ilayaraja T, told Free Press that the new facility with its modern ambience and menu would appeal to younger crowd. “Although we run many restaurants in the city, we lacked a true cafe,” he added.

Bhopal is ready to welcome 2026 with a lineup of electrifying New Year’s Eve parties. Highlights include AAGAZ 5.0 – Squid Game Edition, Shambhala’s luxury celebration, Studio XO Aezy’s high-energy night, Rendezvous NYE, Planet Mars, Masquerade Ball 3.0, New Year Bash 2026, Epic Land, Under the Stars, and The Great Gatsby. Expect DJs, fireworks, lavish décor, VIP zones. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): As 2025 is on the verge of ending, Bhopal is getting prepped up for a night full of dazzling lights, celebrations, music and parties. From themed nights to open-air celebrations, party animals will have plenty of options to ring in New Year 2026 in style. Streets, cafés, hotels, and party venues are buzzing with preparations as residents look forward to bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming 2026. Here’s a list of parties this NYE, which one can cherish on December 31. Central India’s grand open-air New Year party, Aagaz 5.0 is all set to light up bhopal’s party culture on December 31st. Aagaz this edition is prepped up for a ‘Squid Games’ themed décor. The event is expected to draw massive crowds and add high energy to Bhopal’s New Year celebrations.

The second day of the three-day IAS Service Meet–2025 in Bhopal featured sports and cultural activities, including a 200-metre boat race at Upper Lake and a cooking competition at Arera Club. IAS officers and their families also took part in games, sports and cultural events, adding festive spirit to the meet. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Many sports activities, boat race, cooking battle and others marked second day of three -day IAS Service Meet -2025 on Saturday. Other events like T-20 Football, kite flying, T-5 cricket, fun games, painting, Badminton, TT(Tennis), carom,pool, billiards, rapid chess, extempore poetry, antakshari were organised on second day. IAS officers with family members enjoyed boat race and others sports activities at Boat Club (Upper Lake). It was 200 meter boat race. There were three colours boats—Green, Orange, Blue and Red. The race was held amidst DJ Music. Family members cheered the participants. Green Boat emerged overall winner in the race. Orange came second while Red Boat came third and Blue was at forth position. However, in second race competition, it was close finish between Blue and Green Boats. Blue team finished with 55:30 second while Green Boat took 55:55 second. Besides, cooking competition was organised at Arera Club. IAS officers and their families members participated in cooking battle. officers engaged in cultural and fun activities, including showcasing talents beyond administration, likely featuring cooking or food-related events as part of the broader entertainment.