Humor

An administrator arrests a puppy for causing nuisance at a public baraza in Kitui Central-Katitika.

Constitution a mirage.

Bishop and Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru leads clerics in prayers to kick out Nzamba Kitonga out of CoE.

Fire

A fire fighter in the effort to contain fire.





















Concerted effort.

















Disbelief. All goes up in smoke.












A ware house goes up in smoke in industrial area.

Beauty contest

Salsa Dancers at the event





















Mr and Ms University Kenya 2009.









Winner--Jeremy now for BBA housemate

Press freedom in Kenya 'under siege'

Dark clouds are forming against freedom of expression in Kenya, following the recent passing of a controversial Bill by parliament. The Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill, awaiting presidential assent to become law, gives the state powers to invade media houses, seize broadcast equipment, control broadcast content, even taking a station off air.

Counterfeit Tests

Lab Technicians conduct verification tests to check for counterfeit products flooding the Kenya market. (A technician holds a pack of fake and genuine Panadol Extra tablets while the other tests leakage in condoms)

Environment

Deputy PM and Minister for Local Governments Musalia Mudavadi is welcomed by Habitat for Humanity, Kenya officials during the launch of low cost housing for rural residents in Kayole Township, Naivasha. Developers have been advised to use environment friendly building technologies.

Kanco Reprt Launch

Kenya Aids NGOs Consortium Executive Director Allan Ragi (left) hands copies of the newly released report: Evidence of the Impact of IMF and Monetary Policies on the Capacity to Address HIV/AIDS and TB Crises in Kenya to former Mandela Central MP Billow Kerrow in Nairobi. Funds policies restrict government's spending on health jeopardizing the

Diwali 2009

When is Diwali 2009: Celebrate Diwali Festival with Gifts

Diwali, or Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights. It is celebrated in a big way in India. The term Deepavali is of Sanskrit origin, which means an array of lamps. The word 'deep' means clay lamp and 'avali' means an array. The celebration of the Diwali festival in India signifies the victory of good over evil within oneself. The word Diwali is actually a corruption of the Sanskrit term Deepavali. Today it is celebrated by Sikhs, Jains, Hindus, and even some Buddhists all around the globe.

When is Diwali this Year?

Many people ask when is Diwali this year. Many children even ask their parents with cheerfulness in their hearts about when is Diwali coming. Even friends and relatives living abroad are always curious to know when is Diwali coming. They hook up to the internet and even mark their calendars. They await the Diwali festival with a lot of eagerness and enthusiasm. This season, Diwali 2009 will be held on Saturday 17th October.

Diwali is a festival of joy and celebration. On this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhaya along with Sita and Laxman to rule over the kingdom. People celebrate Diwali festival with gaiety and a lot of happiness and fervour. People also distribute sweets amongst one another and children enjoy bursting crackers and other fireworks along with their parents and other elders.

As is with other festivals in India, Diwali 2009 is being eagerly awaited once again. On this Diwali festival, many online stores and online marts will stock a large variety of Diwali related gifts, sweets, apparel, toys, and many other items. Diwali 2009 promises to be a great event for Indians in the country and around the world as well. For Diwali 2009, you can get yourselves and your family a lot of gifts and other gracious items.

The Significance & Meaning of Diwali

The Diwali festival in India has a deep significance since ancient times. According to the Vedic culture, the message of Diwali is to eradicate the world from darkness and lead it towards the self-illuminated light within. Here, each individual is likened to a brightly lit clay lamp. The message is to collectively participate in the Endeavour, as it is not just the effort of one individual. The differences between the high and low are forgotten, as the aim is to usher in equanimity and equality in society.

Traditionally, the celebration of the Diwali festival in India is associated with a number of mythological events. In Northern India, Diwali is celebrated to rejoice the return of King Rama to his Kingdom Ayodhaya after a 14 year exile and victory over the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhaya light an array of clay lamps to celebrate his return.

In Southern India, another legend describes the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. In western India, it is celebrated in the honour of the King Bali who went to rule the nether world by the order of Lord Vishnu.

The Diwali festival in India has varied significance all over country and other parts of the world. During Diwali 2009, the festivities will be equally wide spread. In West Bengal, it is celebrated in honor of Goddess Durga. Particularly, in the north of India, Hindu merchants open their new books and pray to Goddess Laxmi for a joyful and prosperous new year. In most parts of India, people get up early before dawn on Diwali and pray to the Lord for their spiritual advancement.

The Festivities during Diwali

Additionally, Diwali festival in India is celebrated over a period of five days in many parts of the country. These days include Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhana Puja, and Bhai Dooj. On Dhanteras, which actually means the thirteenth day of the lunar month, people purchase utensils and gold as it is considered an auspicious occasion. On Naraka Chaturdashi, people commemorate the slaying of the demon Narakasura as it was the 14th day on which the demon was killed.

On Laxmi Puja, people worship Goddess Laxmi, who is considered the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Govardhan Puja is the worship of Lord Krishna, which is celebrated as the day on which Lord Krishna obtained victory over Lord Indra. In Gujarat, this day is also celebrated as the New Year, and the first day of the new Vikram Samavat. On Bhai Dooj, sisters meet brothers and vice versa and exchange presents and sweets to express their fondness and affection for each other.

Every one in the family gets up early in the morning and puts on new clothes. Especially on this day, children and parents alike burst crackers, make use of a variety of fireworks at night and light lamps to celebrate the occasion. It's a great joy to see crackers bursting and joyful people all around celebrating this festival with a lot of happiness and gaiety. On many occasions, even people of other faiths join together in celebrating this occasion as one.

On the occasion of Diwali 2009, people exchange a lot of gifts between each other. Families and friends alike give and accept gifts like sweets, puja thalis, dry fruits, homemade chocolates, diyas, candles, wall hangings, decor items, gift hampers, jewellery, apparel, bhai dooj gifts and so on.

The business community celebrates the festival by exchanging Diwali corporate gifts, gift hampers, designer gift boxes, pen sets, diaries, watches, perfumes, mobiles, and the like.

Nowadays, many Indians have settled abroad in countries like the United Sates, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries. Therefore, this Diwali festival is being celebrated by a lot of expatriates in the same graceful manner as it is celebrated on the home front.

Fishermen fish at sunset during unusually warm weather at a lake near the village of Zhrebchevo east of the Bulgarian capital Sofia, on Oct. 9.

Petar Petrov/AP

(CSMonitor)

A musician belts out her tunes at a gospel function in Nairobi, Kenya. The youths in the country are lured to church by the many youth-friendly churches coming up.

Transport

General Motors East Africa Bill Ley and Matatu Owners Association Kinutai enjoy the ride of a newly launched Smart bus. The buses have faced critic from nissan matatu owners in Kenya fearing that they might be edged out of business.

Harambee Stars

Kenya's national team Harambee Stars team. Fotball in Kenya is wanting.

Traffic Jams -Nairobi

Pedestrians stream in Kenya's capital Nairobi after public service vehicles plying certain routes went on strike on alleged harassment by traffic police officers for not complying with safety measures set by ministry of Transport.

Left standing