Diwali 2024 Highlights: Smog engulfs Delhi post-Diwali; AQI deteriorates to ‘very poor’

This year brought a unique cultural fusion, with Diwali and Halloween falling on the same day, October 31.

In recent years, Halloween, traditionally celebrated in the West, has been embraced in parts of India, where it fosters cultural awareness among children.

Similarly, Diwali’s warmth has permeated the Western world, especially in regions with large Indian communities. Read more here.

US President Joe Biden marked Diwali celebrations at the White House on Tuesday (October 28) with Indian-American politicians and staff in attendance.

Now, a video of the White House military band playing Lord Vishnu aarti Om Jai Jagdish Hare is stealing hearts on social media.

Sharing the video on X, Gita Gopinath, first deputy managing director of the IMF, wrote, “Wonderful to hear the White House military band play Om Jai Jagdeesh Hare for Diwali. Happy Diwali.”

The air quality in Mumbai also deteriorated, with the AQI standing at 172 in the 'moderate category'.

However, out of 22 stations in Mumbai, nine stations recorded AQI in the ‘poor’ category.

Colaba in Navy Nagar recorded the worst AQI of 305 in the city, followed by Sewri (284), Kandivali (252), Malad (West) (232), Mindspace (223), Byculla (224), Kherwadi (Bandra East) (220), Deonar (203), and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) (202).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, celebrating Diwali on Thursday with personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), Army, Navy, and Air Force near the Indo-Pak border in Kachchh district, Gujarat, said that his government cannot compromise even on an “inch” of the country’s borders, news agency PTI reported.

Addressing the personnel, he said, “People of India feel their country is safe because of you; when the world sees you, it sees India’s strength, when enemies see you, they see the end of their sinister plans… Development of infrastructure in border areas was a “top priority.”

“We are buying Predator drones for all the three wings of the armed forces,” he added.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz Thursday extended greetings to Indians on Diwali, stressing that his country shares the values of democracy, freedom, and a vision of a brighter future like India.

"My friend @DrSJaishankar, I wish you and the people of India a #happydiwali2024! Israel and India share the values of democracy, freedom, and a vision for a brighter future", Katz said in a post on social media platform X.

"May this Festival of Light bring us all joy, prosperity, and peace," the Israeli foreign minister added.

"Deepawali ki haardik shubhkamnayen," he further wrote in Hindi.

Academic institutions across Israel seem to be decked up for Diwali celebrations, with Indian researchers forming the bulk of the overseas student community in the country.

Nearly 18-20,000 Indians working in Israel are also celebrating the festival of lights.

(With PTI inputs)

Railway Police Force Director General Manoj Yadava reviewed the security and arrangements at New Delhi railway station ahead of the Diwali and Chhath festivities on Thursday. In an interview with ANI, he highlighted that, following the incident at Bnadra railway station in Maharashtra, various precautionary measures have been taken to ensure passenger safety.

Yadava explained, "The incident involved a weekly train when the season hadn't started yet. An unexpected crowd had gathered on the platform, and when the train arrived, everyone was anxious about missing it. This led to a crowded situation, but our 32 RPF and GRP personnel quickly controlled it." Yadava then underlined the importance of security measures. The GRP DG said, "Recently, you might have heard of a suspicious incident in Delhi. In response to that, we have increased security measures." He mentioned the installation of baggage scanning machines, handheld metal detectors, and random checks by the dog squad for explosives.

He added, "We have also utilized social media to inform people about their safety and the railway's security, urging them not to carry firecrackers and other such items to ensure safety."

(With ANI inputs)

ANI

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath celebrated Diwali by visiting the newly constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya. During his visit, he offered prayers and also stopped by the Hanuman Garhi temple. Adityanath conveyed his greetings to the people of Uttar Pradesh, emphasising that this year's Diwali is particularly significant as it marks the first celebration after the installation of Ram Lalla in the temple, a moment described as historic after a wait of 500 years.

Meanwhile, the city of Ayodhya set Guinness World Records with 25 lakh earthen lamps (diyas) illuminated, surpassing the previous year's record of 22.23 lakh diyas. This event took place on the banks of the Saryu River, specifically at 55 ghats, including the famous Ram ki Paidi.

(With PTI inputs)

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the disengagement process in certain areas along LAC was "almost complete" based on consensus achieved between India and China.

"India and China have been holding talks at both diplomatic and military levels to resolve the differences in some areas along the LAC. As a result of the talks, a broad consensus was developed on the basis of equal and mutual security. The consensus includes the rights of patrolling and grazing in traditional areas," he added.

Singh was unveiling a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and inaugurating the Major Ralengnao 'Bob' Khating Museum of Valour at Tawang, when he referred to the broad consensus achieved by India and China to restore the ground situation in certain areas along the LAC.

(With PTI inputs)

Indian and Chinese soldiers exchanged sweets on Diwali after the two countries completed the disengagement process in the border areas of Depsang and Demchok in Ladakh. This development allows for the resumption of patrolling in these regions, with discussions continuing at the local commanders' level to finalize the modalities. Verification of the disengagement is currently underway, utilizing both physical checks and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The agreement for this disengagement was initially announced by the Indian government on October 21, which was subsequently confirmed by Beijing. Both countries have been involved in a military standoff along the Line of Actual Control due to Chinese incursions over the past four-and-a-half years. As part of this resolution, an exchange of sweets between the two sides is scheduled to take place soon.

Indian soldiers stationed at the Line of Control (LoC) near the Pakistan border celebrated Diwali with warmth, joy, and a strong sense of unity. Surrounded by the serene yet intense landscape, they lit rows of traditional diyas, bringing a festive glow to the border region.

As Hindu devotees celebrate Diwali today, the National Stock Exchange will hold a special live trading session on account of Muhurat trading.

The special trading period is an annual event related to Diwali celebrations, perceived by investors as an auspicious time for new investments.

Opening Session: 5:30 PM

Ending Session: 5:45 PM

Block Deal Session: 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM

Normal Market Open Time: 6:45 PM - 7:00 PM

Call Liquid Session: 6:05 PM - 6:50 PM

Closing Session: 7:10 PM - 7:20 PM

Trade Modification Cut-off Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

PM Modi expressed his heartfelt wishes for Deepawali posting on X, stating,

Translation: "Warm greetings to all my fellow countrymen on this divine festival of lights. I wish everyone a life filled with health, happiness, and prosperity. May the blessings of Maa Lakshmi and Lord Shri Ganesha lead everyone to success.”

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has classified Delhi's air quality as "very poor."

The CPCB recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 349 in the national capital at 6 a.m. today.

An AQI of 0–50 is regarded as acceptable, 51–100 as fair, 101–200 as moderate, 201–300 as bad, 301–400 as very poor, and 401 to 450 is considered serious.

Check here the top 10 Indian cities with the best and worst air quality, as of October 2024.

Diwali is finally here! It is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across India.

indianexpress.com has curated a special list of best wishes and greetings to share with friends and family.

Check more here.

Diwali is all this — the cleaning and cleansing, the shopping and the gifting, homecoming and family.

But it’s also so much more — a celebration of generosity and joy.

It's an occasion to pause and feel gratitude for the life we have and for the part that everyone plays in it.

Read more here.

Dear Readers,

As we gather to celebrate the vibrant festival of lights, we want to extend our most heartfelt wishes to each of you.

Wishing all a very happy and prosperous Diwali 2024! 🪔✨

In a historic move, Diwali will be celebrated as an official school holiday in New York City, enabling over 1.1 million students to observe the festival of lights.

Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan emphasized that the holiday promotes inclusivity, bringing families and communities together.

While adjustments were needed to balance the academic calendar, officials ensured respect for all communities.

Diwali celebrations in New York feature community events, with the iconic Empire State Building lit up in festive colours. (PTI)

Here are 5 thoughtful quotes for Diwali to spread light, joy, and positivity

It’s that time of the year again—after enjoying relatively cleaner air during the monsoon months, many cities in India are witnessing a rapid decline in air quality.

It's no surprise that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi pre-Diwali has deteriorated to 'very poor,' making it the most polluted city in the country and the only one in that category.

Check here the top 10 Indian cities with the best and worst air quality, as of October 2024.

"Diwali, the festival of lights, is intrinsically linked to rangoli. Both are symbolic representations of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance," Sushil Pandit, Mahanth and High Priest of the Sundar Sadan Temple in Ayodhya, told IndianExpress.com.

With Diwali just around the corner, it's the perfect time to elevate your personal space and surroundings with the vibrant and intricate art of rangoli. Check the latest designs here.

A viral Diwali rangoli by Google India combines tradition with tech, featuring a QR code for quick payments. The unique design invites guests to “send shagun".

Ayodhya’s Ram Temple is all set to celebrate Deepotsav on Wednesday. This year, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to create a new world record by lighting 28 lakh diyas along the banks of the Saryu river.

Read more here.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals among Hindus around the world.

On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden commemorated Diwali at the White House during an event attended by over 600 Indian Americans.

Additionally, One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the United States, was illuminated with colourful lights to celebrate Diwali.

Dr. Pranjal Khandare, a veterinary officer at Wiggles.in, who has treated more than 5,000 pets so far, says pet parents notice odd behaviours in their pets when the Diwali season starts.

“Hiding under the sofa, unusual barking, loss of appetite, shaking, and even tremors are some behaviours displayed during this time.”

The doctor shares some simple tips on how to make this day stress-free and happy for our pets; read on to find out.

Instead of lighting firecrackers this Diwali, you could disperse them to help reduce pollution levels. This is where the idea of 'seed crackers' or beej patakha comes in.

“Seed crackers are look-alike crackers. The idea is to let people enjoy the festival but in a sustainable way.” Divyanshu Asopa, founder and CEO of 21 Fools, suggested.

In simple words, these are firecracker lookalikes but embedded with live seeds instead of gunpowder. Read more about it here.

“Our biggest hit is the Gen Z hampers. With everyone becoming health-conscious, we wanted each hamper to capture the spirit of Diwali while appealing to modern consumers,” Super Donuts' owner Ketan Kalra told indianexpress.com, explaining his efforts to blend contemporary tastes with tradition.

Here's how people are getting creative with their gifts—from gym memberships to Gen Z hampers, designer wear, and even vacations this Diwali.

Buying gold during Diwali is considered auspicious. However, as gold price surges, customers can consider a variety of gadgets in gold-coloured editions that never fail to attract.

While gold-coloured smartphones are usually on the expensive side, Samsung’s latest offering — the Galaxy A16, priced at Rs 18,999 is an affordable smartphone that looks premium.

Explore and have a look at five gold-coloured tech products that are worth considering this Diwali, here.

Naraka Chaturdashi, also referred to as Choti Diwali or Kali Chaudas, is celebrated a day before Diwali.

The festival marks Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

As we observe Choti Diwali today, here's wishing our readers a bright and prosperous Choti Diwali! 🌟✨

Share the joy with these heartfelt greetings below -

• On this beautiful day of Choti Diwali, may your life be filled with happiness and your home with harmony. Happy Choti Diwali!

• May the lights of Choti Diwali remove all darkness from your life and guide you toward a bright and prosperous future. Happy celebrations!

• May this Naraka Chaturdashi bring you success in every endeavour and fill your home with positivity and love. Happy celebrations!

• On the occasion of Naraka Chaturdashi, may you rise above all difficulties and emerge victorious. Happy Naraka Chaturdashi 2024!

Check more wishes here.

Despite the ban on firecrackers, Diwali celebrations in West Bengal are set to ignite with a significant boost in firecracker production and sales.

“This year, we are witnessing a higher demand, leading to an increased number of Bazi Bazaars,” All Bengal Fireworks Makers and Sellers Organisation chairman Babla Roy told media persons.

Read more to know how the fireworks industry in the state is set to surpass the sales figure of Rs 8,000 crore achieved during last year’s festive season.

The five-day Diwali festivities have already commenced with Dhanteras yesterday. The excitement for Diwali is already in the air. However, there's been a lot of confusion this year regarding the exact date of Diwali.

Astrologer Saloni Chaudhary told indianexpress.com that Diwali is traditionally observed on the new moon day or Amavasya of the Kartik month.

This year, the amavasya tithi will begin at 3:12 PM on October 31, 2024 (Thursday) and end at 5:14 PM on November 1 (Friday), it has caused a dilemma about when exactly to celebrate.

According to Drik Panchang, Diwali will be celebrated on October 31st. Read here to know the shubh muharat timings for the festival.