Noted Kathakali dancer Milena Salvini of France passed away. Italian-born Salvini was a regular visitor to India, especially Kerala where she learnt Kathakali and ran 'Centre Mandapa', a school for Indian dance forms, in Paris.
Losoong/Namsung: This festival is normally observed in the first week of the 11th month of the Lunar Year. The Bhutias call it 'Losoong' and the Lepchas call it 'Namsung' which means a new year celebration. The festival marks the end of the harvest season and also marks the end of the farmers year.