Lanterns, Legends, and Laughter: China's Mid-Autumn Fest Lights up the world

Lanterns, Legends, and Laughter: China's Mid-Autumn Fest Lights up the world

By Author

Published on October 4, 2023

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a mesmerizing celebration that sweeps across China, painting the skies with lanterns and filling hearts with joy. In this article, we'll take you on a journey through the enchanting traditions and festivities that make this festival so special.

Gazing at the Radiant Moon

At the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the moon itself. Families gather under the starry night to admire the full moon, believing it symbolizes unity and togetherness. The moon's radiant glow casts a spell of enchantment, creating a perfect backdrop for heartfelt reunions.

Mooncakes: Delicious Delights of Unity

No Mid-Autumn Festival is complete without mooncakes, delectable pastries that come in various flavors and fillings. From classic lotus seed paste to innovative creations, these treats are shared among loved ones as a symbol of unity and good fortune.

Lanterns Aglow in the Night

One of the most captivating sights during the festival is the sea of lanterns that light up the streets. Children carry colorful lanterns, each with its own unique design, turning the night into a whimsical wonderland.

Family Reunions and Festive Feasts

Similar to Thanksgiving in the West, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family gatherings. Generations come together to share stories, indulge in mooncakes, and enjoy a sumptuous feast that includes traditional dishes like duck and taro.

Folklore and Legends: The Tale of Chang'e

Every culture has its legends, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is no exception. The story of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, is a beloved tale that adds a touch of magic to the celebration. Discover the legend and its significance in the festival's traditions.

The Cultural Tapestry of China's Regions

While the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated throughout China, each region adds its unique flavor to the festivities. From vibrant lantern carnivals in Hong Kong to solemn incense-burning ceremonies in Beijing, explore the diverse cultural expressions of this beloved festival.

Moonlit Activities: Dragon Dances and Riddles

Beyond mooncakes and lanterns, the festival features lively dragon and lion dances, showcasing the vibrant spirit of China. Additionally, riddle contests entertain and challenge the mind, adding an extra layer of fun to the celebrations.

Modern Twists: Technology Meets Tradition

In today's digital age, even ancient traditions get a modern twist. Discover how technology has influenced the way people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, from sending digital greetings to enjoying augmented reality moon-gazing experiences.

Beyond China: The Global Reach of the Moon Festival

While the festival is deeply rooted in China, its popularity has spread globally. Chinese and Vietnamese communities around the world host vibrant celebrations, making it a multicultural event that bridges continents.


Samsung Rugged XCover & Tab Active 5 for Hospitality: Tough Operations, Trusted Delivery by Palaniappa Electronics

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 28, 2026

As hotels continue to adopt digital tools to improve efficiency and service delivery, the need for durable and reliable devices has become increasingly important. Addressing this operational challenge, Palaniappa Electronics is presenting Samsung’s Rugged XCover smartphones and Rugged Tab Active 5 as purpose-built mobility solutions designed specifically for demanding hotel environments.

Behind the refined guest experience lies a high-pressure operational ecosystem. From busy hotel kitchens and fast-paced housekeeping departments to engineering teams working in harsh conditions and security staff operating round the clock, standard consumer devices often struggle to survive. Samsung’s rugged devices are engineered to perform consistently in such environments, ensuring uninterrupted operations.

In hotel kitchens, where heat, steam, oil and spills are common, the Samsung Rugged XCover offers heat resistance along with dustproof and waterproof protection. The device can be operated even with oily or greasy fingers, while its glove-touch mode allows chefs and kitchen staff to access recipes, inventory systems and internal communication tools without removing safety gloves.

Housekeeping teams benefit from the rugged design that withstands water splashes, cleaning chemicals and accidental drops. This allows staff to update room status, manage linen tracking and raise service requests on the move, reducing downtime and improving turnaround efficiency during peak occupancy periods.

For engineering and maintenance teams, the military-grade durability of the Rugged XCover and Tab Active 5 ensures dependable performance in challenging locations such as boiler rooms, rooftops and service areas. The devices support digital maintenance checklists, fault reporting and asset tracking, helping hotels maintain operational consistency and preventive maintenance schedules.

Security teams, who require reliable devices throughout the day and night, benefit from loud audio output, strong connectivity and durable build quality. These features support patrol coordination, incident reporting and internal communication across large hotel properties.

A key feature of Samsung’s rugged devices is the Push-to-Talk (PTT) functionality, which allows the devices to operate like walkie-talkies using internet connectivity. With a single press, teams across departments can communicate instantly, even when devices are locked or idle. This reduces dependence on traditional walkie-talkies and improves real-time coordination across hotel operations.

In addition, the devices support advanced barcode and QR code scanning, enabling hotels to manage inventory, track linen and uniforms, tag engineering assets and conduct audits without the need for additional scanning equipment.

Designed for long-term use, Samsung Rugged XCover and Tab Active 5 come with removable batteries, extended battery and device warranties, and drop-resistant construction. This results in lower replacement costs, reduced device downtime and improved return on investment for hotel owners and operators.

Palaniappa Electronics, known for its strong presence in hospitality-focused electronics, brings these rugged mobility solutions to hotels of all sizes. With a long-standing focus on quality, customer trust and dependable service, the company continues to support hotels with technology that enhances operational efficiency while standing up to real-world usage.

With hotel operations becoming increasingly digital and fast-paced, rugged devices backed by trusted implementation partners like Palaniappa Electronics are emerging as a practical solution for modern hospitality environments.

For more details, contact Palaniappa Electronics | Mr. Muthu at 9003045685 or muthu@palaniappagroup.com.


Kowori Group Marks Brand Launch in Gurugram, Announces Entry into South Delhi Luxury Housing

Kowori Group Marks Brand Launch in Gurugram, Announces Entry into South Delhi Luxury Housing

By Hariharan U

Published on January 28, 2026

Kowori Group, a new premium entrant in the NCR real estate market, formally announced its brand launch at an industry event held at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram. The launch marked the group’s official introduction to the region, with the presence of real estate stakeholders, corporate leaders, and media representatives.

At the event, Kowori Group also revealed plans to enter South Delhi with its first ultra-luxury residential project in Greater Kailash–I. Envisioned as a boutique development, the upcoming project will feature limited inventory, refined architectural design, and a strong focus on privacy and comfort, catering to homebuyers seeking exclusivity and understated luxury.

Bollywood actress Malaika Arora attended the launch as the Guest of Honour and shared her perspective on evolving definitions of luxury living. “Luxury today is defined by thoughtfulness and purpose. Homes that prioritise intelligent design, quality execution and everyday comfort create a far more meaningful living experience. Kowori Group’s vision reflects this shift, focusing on refined design and lifestyle-led development rather than surface-level grandeur,” she said.

Commenting on the brand’s philosophy, Rikhupriya, Co-Founder, Kowori Group, said the group aims to bring together design excellence and liveability. “At Kowori Group, our objective is to create homes where design excellence and living comfort come together seamlessly. We believe that true luxury is thoughtful, understated and enduring, not superficial. Guided by this philosophy, our first ultra-luxury builder floor project in South Delhi is envisioned to set a new benchmark for refined urban living,” she said.

Founded with the intent of redefining luxury housing in NCR, Kowori Group is driven by the belief that design and livability are inseparable in a truly premium home. The group emphasises functionality, intelligent planning, and long-term value over trend-driven or generic luxury formats.

This approach will be reflected in Kowori Group’s debut South Delhi project, which aims to offer an ultra-luxury builder floor experience centred on comfort, functionality, and serene living. With its entry into the market, Kowori Group is positioning itself as a design-led real estate brand focused on creating high-quality, boutique homes for discerning urban buyers.


Himachal Govt Issues Advisory as Western Disturbance Triggers Snowfall, Rain Alert

Himachal Govt Issues Advisory as Western Disturbance Triggers Snowfall, Rain Alert

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 27, 2026

The Himachal Pradesh government has issued a statewide advisory following an active western disturbance that is likely to cause heavy snowfall and rainfall across the state between January 26 and 28, officials said. All district administrations have been placed on alert to manage possible disruptions and ensure public safety during the period.

According to a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather system is expected to bring a prolonged wet spell, with isolated spells of heavy snowfall in higher reaches and rainfall in lower and adjoining areas. The conditions may impact road connectivity, power supply and essential services across several districts.

Quoting the advisory issued by the Revenue Department, the state government has directed all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to activate District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) for round-the-clock monitoring and coordination. District administrations have been asked to review and update contingency and evacuation plans, particularly in snow-bound, flood-prone and low-lying urban areas.

The government has stressed the importance of timely dissemination of public warnings and travel advisories to ensure the safety of commuters and tourists. "All departments have been instructed to remain on high alert and ensure preparedness to deal with any eventuality arising due to heavy snowfall or rainfall," the HP government said in the advisory.

The Public Works Department (PWD) has been instructed to pre-position snow clearance machinery, including JCBs and snow cutters, at strategic locations to minimise road blockages and restore connectivity at the earliest. Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) have also been directed to remain ready for immediate restoration of roads and critical infrastructure.

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has been asked to keep emergency teams on standby for quick restoration of power supply and to ensure adequate backup for essential services. The Jal Shakti Vibhag has been directed to maintain uninterrupted water and sanitation services, especially in high-risk and snow-bound regions.

Meanwhile, the Police and Tourism Departments have been instructed to regulate traffic on vulnerable routes and issue travel advisories to prevent tourists from entering high-risk zones. Coordination with transport authorities has also been emphasised to ensure commuter safety.

The state government has further directed all departments to maintain close coordination with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) and submit daily situation reports during the period of the weather disturbance. Snow clearance and road restoration works are currently underway in Shimla and other parts of the state.

Due to snowfall in the upper reaches of Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba and Kinnaur districts, more than 600 roads have been blocked, causing difficulties for both locals and visitors. Efforts are ongoing to restore connectivity at the earliest.

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