Diwali Impact

White collar hiring dips 9% in October amid festive slowdown: Report

The white-collar hiring activity in October declined 9 per cent year-on-year as the Diwali-Dussehra festive holidays temporarily impacted recruitment momentum, a report said on Monday. India's white-collar hiring activity eased in October as the Diwali-Dussehra festive cluster temporarily slowed recruitment momentum, according to the Naukri JobSpeak Index report. The Naukri JobSpeak is a monthly Index representing the Indian job market and hiring activity based on new job listings and job-related searches by recruiters on the resume database of Naukri.com. While the festive season led to a broad-based slowdown, sectors such as Accounting and Finance (15 per cent), Education (13 per cent), and BPO/ITES (6 per cent) defied the trend with positive growth, it stated. The growth in hiring in the education sector was propelled by fresher and startup hiring and this momentum was geographically widespread, with major contributions from Hyderabad (47 per cent), Chennai (34 per cent), and ..

Missing AQI data may have hidden Delhi's 'severe' Diwali pollution spike

This Diwali brought a shocking lapse to Delhi's pollution story: 173 hours of air quality readings vanished from across 31 monitoring stations, with 163 hours lost during peak pollution

iPhones, gold, silver coins drive BigBasket's record 500% Diwali sales rise

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

President Murmu urges safe, responsible and green Diwali celebrations

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday greeted fellow citizens on the eve of Diwali and urged everyone to celebrate the festival safely, responsibly and in an environment-friendly manner. Murmu said this festival is also an opportunity to help and support the deprived and the needy, and to bring joy into their lives. Diwali, one of India's most popular festivals, is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm, she said in a message. "The festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Celebrated across the country with immense fervour, the auspicious occasion of Diwali gives the message of mutual affection and brotherhood. On this day, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity," Murmu said. This festival of joy is also an occasion for self-reflection and self-improvement, the President said. "I urge everyone to celebrate Diwali safely, responsibly and in an environment-friendly manner. May this Diwali bring

Happy Dhanteras 2025: Wishes, messages to share with your friends & family

Dhanteras will be celebrated on Saturday, October 18, honouring Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber with prayers and the Pradosh fast - seeking prosperity, wealth, and good fortune

Gemini Nano Banana trend: Best AI photo prompts to try this Diwali

This Diwali, use Gemini Nano Banana to create AI photo prompts from festive selfies to portraits with diyas, fireworks, and traditional attire, and make your edits go viral on social media

Diwali through the ages: From harvest roots to LED-lit celebrations

Once marked by the simple lighting of diyas and modest home decorations, Diwali today is synonymous with affluence and high consumer demand

Bank Holiday on Diwali 2025: Check state-wise list of bank closures

Diwali, a five-day festival beginning with Dhanteras on October 18 and ending with Bhai Dooj on October 23, will also bring several bank holidays across states during the festive week

Delhi weather update: AQI still 'poor'; artificial rain planned post-Diwali

The IMD has forecast hazy mornings through the week, with smog or shallow fog likely from October 19 onwards. The Delhi government has also decided to conduct artificial rain after Diwali

Diwali Holidays 2025: Schools across India to break for holidays; list here

As Diwali approaches, several states have announced school holidays. Along with the festive break, here's a look at where schools will stay closed starting October 13, 2025.

Is the stock market open on Diwali 2024? Here's all you need to know

This is an ideal opportunity for all the seasoned investors to add new stocks to their portfolios or boost their investments in stocks they already own

Diwali brings renewed hope for young potters and traditional crafts

The resurgence of earthen lamps or diyas, in recent years, has ignited a new hope for young potters, breathing life into a tradition that was once on the brink of decline. The growing demand, fuelled by the popularity of large-scale Deepotsav celebrations being organised in various cities in line with the grand event in Ayodhya and the increasing trend towards sustainable living, has empowered a new generation of artisans to embrace pottery as a viable and promising career. Sachin Prajapati, an engineer-turned-potter, exemplifies this shift. After a decade in the tech industry, he returned to his roots and established a workshop focused on producing clay-based products, including diyas, kulhads, and cups. "I aim to make a significant impact in the market with our clay-based daily use products," Prajapati shared. He is actively working to establish a cooperative with other local potters, fostering skill development and ensuring the sustainability of the craft. Based out of Mankapur,

Consumer firms see demand uptick but await Diwali sales for full picture

In consumer durables, demand was somewhat affected by unseasonal rains during Dusshera, according to Nilesh Gupta, managing director of Vijay Sales

Sky high: Diwali airfares shoot to Rs 20K-30K on some domestic routes

Limited capacity growth, high demand pushing up ticket prices

Diwali witnessed 49% rise in online sales, K-shaped recovery continues

Shopping trends during the festive season indicated a K-shaped recovery in the economy, as the items related to mass consumption struggled, but the premium products registered a surge in sales

Diwali eve: Mumbai airport handles record 1,032 flights on November 11

The airport surpassed its previous record of 1,004 flight movements registered on December 9, 2018

Delhi continues to breathe poisonous air, AQI in several parts 'severe'

Delhi air pollution: Doctors say breathing in the polluted air of Delhi is equivalent to the harmful effects of smoking approximately ten cigarettes a day

Diwali PM2.5 levels in Delhi rose by 45% compared to 2022: Report

The concentration of fine, lung-damaging particulate matters PM2.5 and PM10 increased by 45 percent and 33 percent respectively on Diwali compared to last year, according to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The pollution control body also said nearly all air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded an increase in pollution levels on Diwali day compared to the previous year. Delhi's 24-hour average PM10 concentration on Diwali (Sunday) stood at 430 micrograms per cubic meter, an increase from 322 micrograms per cubic meter last year, and 748 micrograms per cubic meter in 2021, the DPCC report showed. The city recorded a 24-hour average PM2.5 concentration of 314 micrograms per cubic meter, compared to 217 micrograms per cubic meter last year and 607 micrograms per cubic meter in 2021. The DPCC data revealed that, except for Alipur, Patparganj, Najafgarh, Karni Singh Shooting Range, and Okhla, all stations (total 24) observed an increas

Diwali 2023: Heartfelt wishes, greetings, quotes for festival of lights

As the auspicious event of Diwali graces us with its enlightening presence, let us share some of the warmest wishes to our family, friends, and relatives

Choti Diwali 2023: History, Importance, Timings, Wishes and Messages

Chhoti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi falls on the 14th day of Kartik month, according to the Hindu schedule. It is celebrated in India a day before Diwali