Guwahati: Women make a rangoli on the occasion of Diwali, at the Cotton University hostel in Guwahati. (PTI Photo)Diwali 2021: Iconic New York City landmarks were illuminated on the occasion of Diwali as top UN officials extended greetings to those celebrating the festival of lights around the world.
US President Joe Biden also tweeted Diwali greetings. “May the light of Diwali remind us that from darkness there is knowledge, wisdom, and truth. From division, unity. From despair, hope,” Biden said in a tweet.
“To Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists celebrating in America and around the world — from the People’s House to yours, happy Diwali,” he added.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Army troops in Jammu & Kashmir’s Nowshera district on Diwali and said it is because of them that the people of this country can sleep and celebrate festivals peacefully. Addressing the soldiers, he also said that several attempts were made to spread terrorism in the valley after the surgical strike, but India gave befitting reply.
The idea of Ramrajya has taken its roots in Vantangia villages in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Thursday.
The chief minister made the remark while inaugurating several completed developmental works and laying foundation stones for several others in a Vantangiya tribes' forest village 'Tinkonia Jungle-3' in Gorakhpur.
Adityanath, who has been celebrating Diwali for the last 25 years with the Vantangia community people, also honoured many senior citizens of the community.
Originally brought from Myanmar for afforestation activities during the British period, the Vantangiya community people have been living in forest villages since then without any modern development owing to their villages lacking the 'revenue village' status that makes them eligible for various government welfare schemes.
After becoming UP chief minister in 2017, Adityanath, however, has granted ?revenue village? status to many Vantangia people, including at least 18 in Maharajganj district and five each in Gonda and Gorakhpur districts and has unleashed a slew of welfare schemes for them. (PTI)
Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated in Kashmir by the Hindu population and security forces by illuminating various temples and popular landmarks.
The devotees visited temples and lit traditional oil lamps while reports of security forces also celebrating the festival inside their camps were received from across the Valley.
Officials said several important landmarks in the city like bridges and buildings were illuminated with florescent lights to mark the festival of lights.
Sound of firecrackers bursting could be heard in most parts of the valley. (PTI)
The Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday exchanged sweets at dozens of border outposts along the International Border on the occasion of Diwali for the first time since the Pakistani side shunned the tradition in 2019.
On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, the BSF's Jammu troops offered sweets to Pakistan Rangers at various BOPs in Samba, Arnia, R S Pura, Nikowal and Akhnoor areas today, a BSF spokesperson said.
As a reciprocal gesture, the Pak Rangers too offered sweets to BSF, he added. (PTI)
Soldiers from Border Security Force (BSF) celebrated Diwali at Fulbari, near India-Bangladesh border.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi gave proprietary rights to 269 slum dwellers of Indra Colony here under the 'Basera' scheme on the occasion of Diwali on Thursday.
The chief minister went to the houses of some of the beneficiaries, lit lamps and handed over 'sanads' (documents) of proprietary rights.
The rest of the beneficiaries were given the documents at a function at City Centre here.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said that with the conferring of proprietary rights to the slum dwellers occupying state government land in urban areas, the dreams of the needy people to own a house has been fulfilled.
"All the eligible beneficiaries under the Basera scheme would be covered soon and instructions have been issued with regard to speed up the process," said Channi, according to an official statement. (PTI)
Buildings were decorated with earthen lamps and colourful lights while people, dressed in their finest, exchanged gifts on Diwali which was celebrated across India amid Covid curbs and restrictions on firecrackers in some states.
People visiting temples maintained social distancing while many took the virtual route to convey their greetings although active Covid cases in India declined to the lowest number in 253 days.
One of the most popular Hindu festivals, Diwali is associated with the day Lord Ram is believed to have returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after defeating Ravana during his 14 years in exile and is seen as a celebration of the victory of good over evil.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Diwali and hoped for their happiness and prosperity. Senior leaders across political parties took to social media to extend their best wishes. (PTI)
Deepavali, the festival of lights, was celebrated with great fervour and gaiety across Telangana on Thursday in contrast to somewhat low-key celebrations last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Devotees visited temples and offered prayers at homes on the occasion.
Earthen and electric lamps dotted houses and people exchanged sweets and gifts. Bursting of firecrackers began since evening.
People thronged market places, and commercial establishments in the city witnessed improved business since the last few days compared to last year. (PTI)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and a host of other foreign leaders and diplomats wished people on Diwali on Thursday.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked many foreign leaders for extending wishes to the Indian people on the occasion.
"Happy Diwali! May this Festival of Lights bring peace, joy, and success to all who observe, in the United States and worldwide," Blinken tweeted.
Payne said as comprehensive strategic partners, the close relationship between Australia and India is underpinned by friendship. (PTI)
Skies over Delhi hung heavy with smoke and its air quality inched towards "severe" category on Diwali night as people burst firecrackers in a blatant disregard to the government's ban against it. The situation was aggravated further as the festivities were coincided with seasonal farm fires, fumes from which invade the city around winter.
Residents of Lajpat Nagar in South Delhi, Burari in North Delhi, Paschim Vihar in West Delhi and Shahdara in East Delhi reported incidents of firecracker bursting as early as 7 pm, despite the blanket ban in the national capital till January 1, 2022.
Several incidents of high-intensity cracker bursting were reported from Gurugram and Faridabad. The Haryana government had also imposed a ban on Sunday on the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in 14 of its districts in the National Capital Region, while curbs were put in other parts. (PTI)
As the entire country celebrate Diwali celebrities and especially sports stars are extending their wishes from all across the world. Sachin Tendulkar too wished the nation on the occasion of Diwali. He tweeted, "May the diyas illuminate our lives with endless joy, prosperity, health & wealth forever."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will offer prayers at the Kedarnath Temple at 8 am. He will also inaugurate the Shri Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Sthal at around 8.35 am. He will review and inspect the ongoing construction works.
At around 9.40 am, Prime Minister will inaugurate key infrastructure projects and will also lay the foundation stone for multiple projects.
Iconic New York City landmarks were illuminated on the occasion of Diwali as top UN officials extended greetings to those celebrating the festival of lights around the world. US President Joe Biden also tweeted Diwali greetings.
"May the light of Diwali remind us that from darkness there is knowledge, wisdom, and truth. From division, unity. From despair, hope," Biden said in a tweet. "To Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists celebrating in America and around the world — from the People’s House to yours, happy Diwali," he added.
In New york, US, Diwali was celebrated with fireworks displayed on both sides of Hudson River. This is for the first time One World Trade Centre adorned Diwali themed animation.
On the occassion of Diwali, a company in Surat has gifted electronic scooters to its employees as Diwali gift.
As India celebrates Diwali on Thursday, people in different parts of the country are ringing in the festival with various rituals and activities. While Army soldiers posted in forward areas of Kargil, Ladakh and Siachen extended wishes to countrymen, personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets and Diwali wishes on various international border points including those in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Tripura among others.
Indian Army soldiers deployed in forward areas of Kargil, Ladakh and Siachen Glacier wish countrymen on the occasion of Diwali.
This how the Golden Temple in Amritsar was illuminated on the eve of Diwali.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami along with Governor Gurmeet Singh celebrated Diwali with the soldiers at Mana East Camp, Garhwal Scouts in Chamoli district on Thursday.
Highlighting his govt's attempts to boost indigenous capabilities, PM Modi said, "We used to depend mostly on imports in defence sector.""We have to enhance, adapt our military capabilities in line with changing world and mode of war," he added.
PM Narendra Modi told soldiers in J-K's Nowshera sector that, "I want to spend Diwali with family members, so I join you on festival."
He also said that several attempts were made to spread terrorism in the valley after the surgical strike, but India gave befitting reply. “Our soldiers are the ‘suraksha kawach’ of ‘Maa Bharti’. It is because of you all that people of our country can sleep peacefully and there is happiness during festivals,” PM Modi added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Army troops in Jammu & Kashmir’s Nowshera district on the occasion of Diwali on Thursday. Significantly, it is Modi’s second Diwali with the soldiers in the border district since 2019.
Addressing the soldiers, the Prime Minister said that the capability and strength of the troops ensure peace and security for country.
A day after the Centre announced a cut in excise duty imposed on petrol and diesel, North East Delhi MP and BJP leader Manoj Tiwari Thursday said that the state government should also announce similar reductions so that the rates come down further.
“Now that the Centre has reduced petrol, diesel prices, I urge the government of Delhi to come forward and reduce the VAT as already done by BJP-ruled states, so that the prices go down further and people are benefitted,” he said, while adding, “This will make Diwali even more beautiful.” Read more
Apple CEO Tim Cook extended his greetings to everyone around the world on the occasion of Diwali by sharing pictures clicked by an Indian photographer.
Taking to Twitter, the tech giant’s chief took his followers by surprise after tweeting two “stunning” shots captured by Delhi-based travel photographer Gursimran Basra (@coffeekarma). While one showed the moment when a paper lantern was being released by a woman, another perfectly captured the eco-friendly Diwali vibe with a beautifully-lit shot of by diyas (earthern lamps). Read more
It is in the very nature of Indians to enjoy all festivities with a lot of zest. And Diwali happens to be an important celebration. On this day, people clean and light up their homes, and also exchange love, greetings and gifts with friends and family.
Traditionally, taking part in the revelry and coming together on the occasion is an important aspect of the celebration. But in the pandemic, social gatherings have been restricted, so as to stop the transmission of the Covid infection. Read more
Some people are connecting the bursting of firecrackers to religion and politics, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said at a press conference Wednesday, a day after Delhi’s air quality slipped to the ‘very poor’ category and is predicted to worsen with the possibility of firecracker emissions on Diwali.
“Do not play with the lives of children and the elderly for your politics. There are other matters for politics. Let the people of Delhi breathe,” Rai said while he was talking about the possibility of people planning to burst firecrackers on Diwali despite the ban imposed on fireworks. Read more
All schools in Delhi have been directed to “motivate” their students to celebrate Diwali and other festivals without firecrackers.
The education department has asked the heads of all schools to use the school and class WhatsApp groups to get the message across to the students. They have been instructed to inform students of the harmful effects of firecrackers and to encourage them to celebrate upcoming festivals, like Diwali, Chhat Puja, and Guru Parv, by lighting candles, electric lights and earthen lamps. Read more
For many years now, the debate of whether or not to burst crackers has raged on in the country. While some people have called for an absolute ban on fireworks and crackers, others have asked for some restrictions. Some others, however, continue the tradition of bursting firecrackers, notwithstanding air and noise pollution.
But, it is true that pollution during Diwali time leads to a host of health problems, especially for people who have existing ailments. The drop in visibility and rise in smog can especially affect people who are asthmatic, are recovering from Covid. It can cause trauma to animals, too, owing to the noise generated during bursting of crackers. Read more
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Wednesday called upon citizens and all its constituents to light an earthen lamp on Diwali in the name of farmers killed during the ongoing farmers' protest.
The SKM, in a statement on the eve of Diwali, said for protesting farmers, celebration time would arrive only when their demands would be met by the central government.
It said nearly 700 farmers have died in the agitation so far due to the "obstinate, undemocratic and irrational" approach of the central government.
"The Samyukt Kisan Morcha calls upon its constituents and citizens in the farmers' movement to light one lamp on Diwali in honour of farmers who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of farmers' rights and livelihoods," the statement read. The SKM also invited people to join protesting farmers at the morcha sites to celebrate Diwali with them, it said. (PTI)
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel with jawans of BSF and the Indian Army at an event organized in Dhordo on Indo-Pak border on the eve of Diwali on Wednesday.
On the eve of Diwali, wholesale firecracker traders in Hyderabad pointed to empty racks at their stores. Whereas every year at this time, retailers as well as individual customers from across Telangana flock to these wholesale markets to buy Diwali crackers.
After last year’s sale of firecrackers proved to be a damp squib, courtesy the Covid-19 pandemic, unseasonal rainfall and flash floods in Hyderabad, traders here had pinned their hopes of a revival on this year’s sale. The sale this year, though, has not picked up as expected, sellers said. “This was despite the urge among the public to celebrate the festival. However, the surge in prices has dampened the enthusiasm considerably,” they added.
Multiple factors have led to the present situation, said Devendra Dalal, the joint secretary of Telangana Firecrackers Association. Racks at Dalal’s Devendra Agencies in Begum Bazaar were partly empty. “Due to the second wave of Covid-19, manufacture of firecrackers at Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu has taken a severe hit. Wholesalers here, too, were not sure about stocking up for Diwali as a possible third wave of Covid-19 has been looming large,” he explained.
On the eve of Diwali, the Centre on Tuesday announced a reduction of excise duty on petrol and diesel. Excise duty on petrol will go down by Rs 5 and that on diesel will reduce by Rs 10. The Centre has said the new prices will be effective from Thursday. Read more
From thousands of diyas at the banks of Sarayu river to children lighting firecrackers, here's how India celebrated Diwali on Wednesday.
A fireworks show was organised in Ayodhya as part of the Deepotsav celebration on the occasion of Diwali. Thousands of lamps were lit on the banks of the Saraya river to mark the occasion.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday announced that 61 women prisoners and 120 male inmates of jails across the state will be granted 15-day parole for Diwali, news agency PTI reported.
The parole begins from Wednesday and has been granted to eligible female inmates and male inmates above 60 years of age.
The relief was not applicable to convicts or undertrials booked in serious cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), Terrorism and Destructive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), an official press release stated. Foreign nationals, NRI prisoners and accused who had filed an appeal in the High Court were not considered for the 15-day parole as well.
People across the country thronged markets on Diwali eve, buying festive decor, flowers, diyas and candles.
Sharing pictures on Twitter, Lok Sabha MP Ravi Shankar Prasad stated, "Meeting with Hon'ble President Hon'ble Shri Ramnath Kovind ji sent him the best wishes of Diwali with respect."
On Diwali eve, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged people to maintain Covid-appropriate behaviour during the festivities and warned them against not wearing masks.
"Diwali is the time when happiness and zeal are galore all over the country. Covid cases have been low and people are flocking the markets. But, several people are not following norms and not wearing masks," Kejriwal said. "I have seen pictures from markets where norms are being flouted. I fold my hands before the people of Delhi and place forth an earnest request -- please wear masks, please follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. It was at this time last year when Covid cases boomed and badly affected the festivities of the state," he added. (PTI)
"On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all our fellow citizens living in India and abroad," President Ram Nath Kovind stated in a press release.
"Let us, celebrate this festival together in a clean and safe manner and resolve to contribute in conservation & protection of environment," he said, adding that "Deepawali festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. This festival is largely celebrated by people following different beliefs across various sections of our society. The auspicious occasion of Deepawali gives message of mutual affection, fraternity and brotherhood. Infact, it is an occasion to share our prosperity and happiness with each other."
The COVID-19 vaccination will remain suspended at civic and government-run centres in Mumbai for next four days in the wake of the festive season, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Wednesday.
The civic body in a statement also appealed to citizens to cooperate with it. The vaccination drive will remain suspended at the civic and government-run centres from November 4 to 7, it said. (PTI)
Celebrating the Diwali festival, the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru was adorned with festive decor.
Bursting of firecrackers is not a matter of religion, but it affects the lives of people, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference, Rai alleged that some people from Opposition parties were trying to sabotage the Delhi government’s fight against pollution by linking firecracker bursting to religion.
“Bursting of firecrackers is not a matter of religion but lives of people. Some people want to fulfil their political ambitions? I appeal to them with folded hands to not play with the lives of Delhi’s children and elderly. There are many other issues for politics… Please let people breathe,” he said. “Diwali means diyas, not firecrackers,” Rai added. Read more
Kalpana Trivedi, 70, who lives in Amratlal ni pol of Khadia, and Prafullaben Shukla, 71, who lives in Ghuma, the new suburb of Ahmedabad, look forward to Diwali festivities this year, after last year’s celebrations were muted owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Trivedi’s is a 125-year-old house — typical to the Ahmedabad old city style — with a courtyard and a door facing the main street, and Shukla lives in a row house. Both have finished spring cleaning and refurbishing their homes to perform the Wagh Baras rituals, which mark the beginning of the six-day Diwali festival.
Diwali, marking the end of the Gujarati calendar year, falls during the transition from Aaso to Kartak months of the Vikram Samvat, beginning from Wagh Baras through Dhanteras on Tuesday, Kali Chaudas, and finally Diwali, which is celebrated across the country. In Gujarat, the celebrations are considered complete when businesses open on Labh Pancham, the fifth day of the New Vikram Samvat Year, the 2078th. Read more
Flagging off the Diwali celebrations at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath garlanded the artists playing Lord Ram, Lord Laxman and Goddess Sita in the 'Deepotsav'.
An 11-year-old boy from Andheri lost his left eye on Monday evening while bursting firecrackers near his house at Gilbert Hill road in DN Nagar area.
The DN Nagar police said that the boy, identified as Sai Bharankar, was bursting firecrackers along with his friends when the sparks from burning crackers injured his left eye and nose. “He lit a firecracker and covered it with three boxes. But as it did not burst, he went close to check on it and as soon as he picked up the boxes, the firecracker burst and caused injuries on his eye and nose,” said senior police inspector Milind Kurde of DN Nagar police station. Read more
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday appealed to all public representatives, including MPs-MLAs, and government employees to share the joy of Diwali with the poor and deprived people of the state.
The chief minister, while congratulating the people of the state on Diwali, appealed to the over eight lakh public represenatives including MPs, MLAs, mayors Block Heads, village heads and lakhs of state government employees to adopt a poor and deprived family and share the happiness of Diwali with them.
'If you are determined, then the festival of Diwali can be celebrated with enthusiasm in every poor and underprivileged house in the state. All these public representatives and employees should adopt such families and light the lamp in those houses too and deliver the sweets of Diwali to them,' the CM said in his message. ---PTI
-- PTI Photo
One of India’s favourite authors Sudha Murty has a Diwali gift for children – her latest book “The Sage with Two Horns” in which she tells numerous lesser-known and fascinating stories that have been lost in the pages of Indian mythology.
This is the fifth and last book of her ‘Unusual Tales from mythology’ series featuring kings and queens, gods and goddesses, sages and extraordinary men and women of wisdom. It is the follow up to “The Man from the Egg”, “Serpent’s Revenge”, “The Upside-Down King” and “The Daughter from the Wishing Tree”. Read more
The Tamil Nadu government has issued an advisory allowing the bursting of only green crackers during two fixed time windows—between 6 am to 7 am and again between 7 pm to 8 pm—on Diwali.
The advisory, issued by the principal secretary of the state government’s environment, climate change and forest department, said that the state would adhere to the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and avoid all joined firecrackers which lead to pollution. Read more
On Tuesday, workers were busy completing a 60-feet tall and 110-feet wide structure meant to resemble the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Mostly made of thermocol and plywood, a puja will be held inside the structure on Diwali day. The structure will be dismantled after the event. Read more
The medical cell of the Gujarat BJP offered prayers to Lord Dhanvantari (the Hindu God of Medicine) at all its offices across 33 districts and eight municipal corporations of the state on the occasion of Dhanteras, a party release stated. The office bearers prayed to ensure no repeat of the pandemic and give more power to the Covid-19 warriors who served the people selflessly during the pandemic.
Markets in Jaipur have been decorated with festive lights all around the Pink City on Dhanteras, marking an onset of Diwali this year.
Greeting Indians on Dhanteras, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Greetings to everyone on the special occasion of Dhanteras."
Jewellers’ streets across Gujarat were crowded Tuesday as people thronged showrooms for purchasing ornaments for weddings, which were postponed due to Covid-19, as well as to purchase gold and silver coins on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras. Jewellers said the sales were high as the demand, suppressed by the Covid-19 pandemic, found an outlet after the recent ease of restrictions and the spread of the virus on the wane.
“The sales being reported are more than double compared to a normal year, largely due to rescheduling of marriages, which were put on hold due to Covid-19, after Diwali as well as those who had postponed investment decisions now feeling safe to venture out,” said Jagdish Soni, president of Gems and Jewellery Association, Rajkot (GJAR). Read more