NEW DELHI: The North Block of Parliament, home to the Union Ministry of Finance, hosted the traditional Halwa Ceremony on July 16, marking the final stage of the budget preparation process.
With the Union Budget for 2024-25 set to be presented on July 23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary participated in the event along with senior ministry officials.
What is the Halwa Ceremony?
The Halwa Ceremony involves the preparation of halwa, a traditional sweet dish, signifying an auspicious occasion in India. This ceremony celebrates the commencement of the country's major financial exercise. A large kadhai (wok) is used to prepare the dish, with the finance minister and key officials stirring the kadhai and serving halwa to everyone involved in the budget-making process. This event honors the hard work of the finance ministry officials.
Ceremony Significance
The ceremony marks the start of the budget 'lock-in' period at the finance ministry. During this time, all officials and staff involved in budget preparation must stay within the ministry premises until the budget is presented in Parliament. This tradition, dating back to 1980, underscores the dedication and teamwork of the finance ministry officials who diligently prepare the budget documents.
Team Spirit and Collaboration
Beyond its ceremonial aspects, the Halwa Ceremony fosters a sense of solidarity and teamwork among the team members, reflecting the collaborative effort required to finalize the nation's financial plans.
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