Jason Aldean, a country singer and guitarist was born in Macon, Georgia in 1977. His interest in country music started early, and at age fourteen he made his first public appearance at a VFW hall in Macon. He appeared in talent contests and programs. A year later he was an active member of the Nashville South house band.

After graduating from high school he started full time music career. With his father as booking agent, Jason soon appeared in a number of east coast towns. An eight song CD was sold at these performances. In 1996 when he was just about twenty-two Michael Knox became aware of Aldean and signed him up for a song writing contract with Warner Chapel Publishing. In 1998 Aldean moved to Nashville. He almost dropped out of song-writing, but then new avenues opened up.

In 2009 his album "Wide Open" with Broken Bow label was released and more than a million copies sold. His album "Relentless" with Broken Bow label, relased in 2007 has also received excellent ratings. He has made three number one singles and has been on top charts but not on Roots Charts. He continues to be famous for his contemporary country music.

On the day of Ganga Mahotsav devotees, both men and women, walk to the banks of he Ganga in the early morning hours to bathe in the holy waters of the river. They chant prayers as they walk. There are separate bathing ghats for the men and women.  As the sun starts to come up, the Sadhus and most of the people do the "Surya Namaskar", or greeting he sun.

At dusk 'diyas' or earthen lamps are lit and placed on Lotus leaves  and floated in the water to welcome the gods. The floating diyas give the river a light orange hue against the dark water and the black night

Gana Mahotsav promotes Indian music and dance in  a big way. Some of India's outstanding dance and music celebrities, regardless of religious preferences, are invited and perform at this time.Boat races and martial arts displays are also planned for this time. The activities continue from early morning till after dark for the five days of the Mahotsav, while devotees and tourists come and go.

This festival is one of the most spectacular of several which take place on the Ganga  ghats (steps which go down to the river).  The colorful clothes of the devotees and visitors add to the color and the general feeling of excitement which pervades Varanasi at the time of this great festival.  

GANGA MAHOTSAV (festival) - is a cultural festival which is held only in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It celebrates the varius facets of ths river. River Ganga (or Ganges) has always  symbolized religious purity. It is one of five important rivers of India.

Ganga Mahotsav is celebrated for five days.  It promotes Varanasi city as the cultiral center of India. The festival promotes the culture and tradition of the city.  Varanasi is known for its music, dance, arts, silk,  carpet industry and other handicrafts. In the festival all forms of Indian dance and music are promoted.

Ganga has always been the life-line of India  not only because of its religious significance but because it literally gives life to millions of people living on its banks, irrespective of religion. It supplies water for home use and industries but also for irrigation. This area of India is the bread-basket prodcing a variety of essential crops. 

During Ganga Mahotsav the banks of the river are thronged with thousands of devotees who have come to take a dip in the holy river. At evening time they float their clay lamps on the surface of the river water. The thousands of lights floating on the water are a sight that no one who has seen it will ever forget.

Time is running out for health care reform before Congressional spring recess when Tea Party and Town hall meetings are planned. Democrats do not want a repeat of last August. Last summer Town Hall meetings were held by Democrats to explain the good stuff about health care. The Tea party Movement disagreed with our overspending, free money giving Congress. This time Democrats will lie low.

Steny Hoyer said Democrats want to finish health care bill before spring recess. This is not firm. The second wave of health care may sputter.

Debbie Dooley, Tea Party Patriots Organizer outsisde Atlanta said they are about to ratchet it up. You will see the same passion as in August and be ahead of Congress spring break.Tom Gaitens of Tampa Tea Party said," --we're gonna hit 'em hard".

President Obama is pushing lawmakers to vote on health care before spring recess. He said the U.S.Congress owes the American people a final vote on health care reform. He is asking leaders in both houses of Congress to finish work and schedule a vote in the next few weeks. Till then he plans to do all he can to make the case for reform.   

KARTIK  PURNIMA  - is the festival  to celebrate the full moon of the month of Kartik. It is always on the 15th day of Kartik. It is also known as Tripuri Purnima. This festival also coincides with the celebration of Guru Nanak's Jayanti.(Birth)

This is considered a highly auspicious day and various pujas and rituals are carried out on this day. The most important of these rituals is a dip in the holy River Ganga. From here thousands of people go to Pushkar to take a dip in the Pushkar Lake on Kartik Purnima.

Kartik Purnima is also the birthday of Matsya - the fish incaernation of Lord Vishnu. It is also the birthday of Vrinda, the personification of the Tulsi plant (Holy Basil), and of Kartikya, the god of war. This day is also considered special for Radha, the lover of Krishna, who was an incarnation of Vishnu. This is also the day when PIRS (holy men) and ancestors are honored.

There is belief that the origin of celebrations on this day go back to ancient times when a sacrifice used to be performed to be successful in battles over enemies.