Pongal Celebrations begin on a sweet note as Trichy farmers reap rich sugarcane yield

The sugarcane cultivation has been favorable in various parts of the Trichy district such as Thiruvalar Cholai, Vayalur, Thuraiyur, and Musiri.

Farmers celebrate ahead of Pongal

With a fruitful harvest result, the farmers are happy ahead of the Pongal festival celebrations. The farmers highlighted that this year the sugarcane farming was profitable with over 200 acres and the reason behind it includes good weather and efficient farming practices.

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Transparent procurement through cooperatives

"In this area alone, more than 70 acres are grown with sugarcane. The sugarcane is procured through co-operative societies directly, without any political interference or demand for commissions, which assures transparency and the fair price for sugarcane."

"The farmer is sure of a fair price because the sugarcane is procured directly through the cooperative societies without any political interference or demand for commissions," Ganesamoorthy told ANI.

Pongal Festival: Dates and significance

The Pongal festival will start on the 15th January which corresponds to the last day of the Tamil month of 'Marghazi'.

Pongal lasts for 4 days in the state. The first day is Bhogi, the second day is Thai Pongal, the third day is Mattu Pongal, and the last day is Kaanum Pongal.

Meaning and customs of Pongal

In Tamil, the term 'Pongal' signifies 'to boil'; it represents the name of a dessert made from boiled rice, mug dal, milk, and jaggery which is prepared especially during the harvesting festival.

The festival is dedicated to thanks the harvest of crops including sugarcane, rice, and turmeric along with other ones and it coincides with the festivals of Lohri and Makar Sankranti that take place in mid-January each year.

It is mainly a thanksgiving festival where the farmers express their gratitude to nature, the Sun God, and the cattle for good crops whereas others express their gratitude to farmers for their efforts.

Government assistance for Pongal

The Pongal festival cash assistance of Rs 3,000 for all rice ration card-holding families was announced, on Sunday, by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin who said that the benefits are extended to the families living in the rehabilitation camps for Sri Lankan Tamils as well.

A state government statement said that the cash gift would be given out the week before the festival along with the traditional Pongal gift hamper and clothing at the fair price shops.

To assist the celebrations, the Tamil Nadu government had previously announced the distribution of a Pongal gift pack containing one kilogram of raw rice, one kilogram of sugar, and one full-length sugarcane to all eligible beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries and coverage

The government is predicting that there will be about 2,22,01,710 families with rice ration cards and also families in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps who will benefit from this year's Pongal assistance.

The cash help of Rs 3,000 is anticipated to give extra financial support to families in times of increasing costs of living and to help with the payment of festival-related expenses.

The state authorities termed the program as one of their steady social welfare and inclusive development approaches.