Diwali

Indians spent big this Diwali — and they did it smartly. ????✨ A new Paisabazaar survey shows that 42% of credit card users spent over ₹50,000, while one in five crossed the ₹1 lakh mark.

Even with a festive start, Bollywood's Diwali releases, Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, are seeing slipping collections as viewers choose films with stronger stories and engaging content

While the sales of electronics, including iPhones, surged 500 per cent, gold and silver coins reported a staggering 1000 per cent rise compared to last year

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said air pollution in the city on Diwali night was less this year as compared to the previous year. Her assertion came a day after monitoring stations showed that Delhi's air pollution hit a four-year high on Diwali, with particulate matter 2.5 peaking at 675. The chief minister said she will meet a Punjab minister on Thursday to inform the state government about Delhi's concerns over crop residue burning, a major cause of pollution in the national capital during winters. "The pre- and post-Diwali gap (between average AQI) this year is less compared to the previous year, even though firecrackers were allowed this time," Gupta said at a press conference. She insisted that her government was taking all necessary steps with "greater alertness" to curb pollution. On Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the Air Quality Index in Delhi was 341 before Diwali and it rose to 356 afterwards, up by just 11 points. T

From balanced home meals to fun, everyday activities, here's how you can ease back into fitness and lose festive weight sustainably.

After days of lights, late nights, and endless socialising, exhaustion often lingers once the festivities end. Experts share how to rest smart, recharge, and regain your festive balance

Pickup in earnings growth and sustained foreign flows hold key

In a Diwali message, PM Modi highlighted Operation Sindoor, GST 2.0 reforms, and the eradication of Naxalism, saying India embodies both stability and sensitivity

More than 250 people suffered burn injuries in Delhi on Diwali, with hospitals across the city reporting a surge in cases, mostly caused by firecrackers, while the Safdarjung Hospital, which has the country's largest burn unit, recorded the highest number of 129 cases. After the Safdarjung Hospital, 55 burn cases were reported at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 37 at the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, 16 at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital and 15 at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. The Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital received 129 burn cases on Diwali days (October 19 and 20), including 111 where the patients suffered minor burns and were treated on an OPD basis, while 18 patients with major burns were admitted, said Dr Sujata Sarabhai, Head of Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at the hospital. Of the 129 cases, 118 were caused by firecrackers and 11 by diyas (earthen lamps). A total of 117 patients were from Delhi and nine had to undergo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday penned a letter to the citizens of the country on Deepavali, highlighting the successes of Operation Sindoor and the fight against Naxalism and asserting that Bharat has emerged as a symbol of stability at a time when the world is beset with crises. The prime minister listed the decision to lower GST rates among the historic achievements of his government and underscored that the citizens were saving thousands of crores of rupees during the 'GST Bachat Utsav' (Savings Festival). He also urged citizens to adopt swadeshi to promote the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', to respect all languages, prioritise health and embrace yoga. "All these efforts will rapidly take us towards a Viksit Bharat," Modi said. "I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Deepavali, a festival filled with energy and enthusiasm. This is the second Deepavali after the grand construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya," he said. "Lo

Four persons were killed and 10 others suffered injuries after a fire broke out in a multi-storey residential building in Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai township shortly after midnight on Tuesday, police said. Prima facie, the blaze started at around 12.30 am in a flat on the 10th floor of the Raheja Residency, MGM Complex, at Sector 14 in Vashi area, and spread to the 11th and 12th floors, an official said. Two women, a man and a 6-year-old girl were killed, while 10 others were injured, he said. The injured persons were rushed to two hospitals in Vashi. After being alerted, 40 fire brigade personnel along with 8 fire tenders and police rushed to the spot and the blaze was put out by 4 am, the official said. The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, the official said.

Seven people were rescued after a fire broke out in a four-storey residential building in west Delhi's Mohan Garden area on Diwali night, an official said on Tuesday. A call regarding the fire on the first and second floor of the building was received at 10 pm on Monday. The fire started in domestic articles due to firecrackers and seven people were rescued, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said. "Six fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire was brought under control by 11.30 pm," the official said. Shekhar, an eyewitness, told PTI, "A fire broke out in the building at night when firecrackers were being burst. We were on the terrace at the time. My brother's flat is here. Thankfully, everyone was rescued safely." He said that the first two floors were the most affected. Maya, a relative of one of the building residents, told PTI, "My brother-in-law owns a flat in this building. The fire broke out suddenly and we still don't know exactly how it started. By the time w

Too many sweets, sleepless nights, smog, and heavy makeup can trigger festive breakouts. Dermatologists share how to calm your skin, restore its glow, and prevent post-Diwali damage

The Delhi Fire Services received 269 emergency calls on Diwali night, an official said on Tuesday. However, no major accidents including loss of life or major injuries were reporters, he said. A senior DFS officer said the department remained on high alert throughout the festival, with all fire stations and quick response teams deployed across the city. "We received 269 fire calls till midnight. Fortunately, no major incidents were reported," the officer said. Most of the calls were related to minor blazes caused by firecrackers and diyas. The DFS had earlier cancelled all leaves of its staff and ensured that all vehicles and fire-fighting equipment were checked and kept ready for prompt response. The officer said detailed planning had been done in advance to ensure public safety during the festive period. "The Delhi Fire Services plays a crucial role during Diwali in combating fire-related incidents and ensuring the safety of citizens," the officer said, adding that last year, t

While most areas in the national capital recorded AQI levels above 300, several localities, including Greater Kailash and Patel Nagar, breached the 500 mark

Diwali 2025 bank holidays vary across states. Some will observe closures on October 20, others on October 21. Sikkim gets four holidays, Chhattisgarh three, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and UP two days each

US President Donald Trump on Monday extended his wishes on Diwali, the festival of lights, and said it is a time to bring families and friends together to celebrate. Today, I send my best wishes to every American celebrating Diwali the Festival of Lights', Trump said in a statement. For many Americans, Diwali is a timeless reminder of light's victory over darkness. It is also a time to bring families and friends together to celebrate community, draw strength from hope, and embrace a lasting spirit of renewal, the US president said. As millions of citizens light diyas and lanterns, we rejoice in the eternal truth that good will always triumph over evil. To every American celebrating Diwali, may this observance bring abiding serenity, prosperity, hope, and peace, he added.

Indian markets ended Samvat 2081 on a high, with banks, IT, and oil & gas stocks leading the gains. The BSE Sensex rose 411 points to 84,363, while the Nifty50 climbed 133 points to close at 25,843.

As the markets light up this Diwali, leading brokerages have revealed their top stock recommendations for Samvat 2082, the Hindu New Year on Dalal Street.

PM Modi stressed the need for self-reliance, saying, when the enemy stands before you, the side that has the confidence and self-reliance to fight on its own always has the upper hand