Page 11 - Diwali

Over 2.2 mn 'diyas' light up Ayodhya as Deepotsav sets world record

More than 22 lakh 'diyas' illuminated the banks of the Saryu river in Ayodhya during the seventh edition of the Deepotsav, setting a new world record of lighting a large number of lamps simultaneously at one place. The 22,23 lakh 'diyas' (earthen lanterns), 6.47 lakh more than last year, were lit by 25,000 volunteers at the 51 ghats of Ram Ki Paidi along the river. Ayodhya echoed with 'Jai Shri Ram' after the representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records who counted the lamps using drones and gave the status of world record to the city, the release said. Upon receiving a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended warm greetings to the entire Ayodhya and its residents. In 2017, when the BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh, 1.71 lakh lamps were lit in Ayodhya and since then Deepotsav has become a major event in the state. In 2018, 3.01 lakh lamps were lit, 4.04 lakh in 2019, 6.06 lakh in 2020, 9.41 lakh in 2021 and 15.76 lakh

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

Rainfall reduced air pollution by 50%: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai

He added that the government was working to address vehicular pollution, dust pollution, bio-mass burning pollution, and stubble burning pollution while also reducing cracker bursting

Jharkhand allows revellers to burst firecrackers for 2 hrs on Diwali night

Revellers will get a two-hour window from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali night on Sunday to burst firecrackers, an official of the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) said. Similar windows will be allowed on Gurupurab, Chhat, Christmas and New Year but the timings will vary, he said. JSPCB member secretary Y K Das said revellers can burst crackers from 8 pm to 10 pm on Gurupurab. On Chhat, the window will be from 6 am to 8 am and for Christmas and New Year, it will be from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am. Das said air quality in the urban areas of all the districts ranges from good to satisfactory. He said the sale of firecrackers with less than 125-decibel limit has been permitted in all the districts. The Central Pollution Control Board categorises air quality index levels in the 0-50 range as 'good', 51-100 as 'satisfactory', 101-200 as 'moderate', 201-300 as 'poor' and 301-400 as 'very poor'. The JSPCB, in its order, said that violation of its guidelines would invite legal action u

Security amped up ahead of Deepawali festivities in Uttar Pradesh

These preparations come in light of upcoming festivals, including Deepavali in Ayodhya, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhaiya Dooj, and Chhathh, and aim to maintain order and security throughout celebration

Ayodhya decked up ahead of Diwali celebrations, set to break world record

On Saturday morning, Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh will flag off a tableau procession from Saket Degree College depicting the craftsmanship of artisans throughout the state

3,500 kg of firecrackers seized by police ahead of Diwali from North Delhi

DCP Meena further said that ground-based patrolling was being conducted and 10 cases had been registered

Manish Sisodia reaches his residence from Tihar Jail to meet ailing wife

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday reached his residence here from Tihar Jail to meet his ailing wife after permission from a city court. Sisodia, who is in jail in connection with the alleged liquor scam case, was allowed to meet his wife for six hours between 10 am and 4 pm. Sisodia accompanied by the police personnel reached his home on Mathura Road in a prison van at around 10 am. In June too he was granted permission by the Delhi High Court to meet his wife Seema, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. However, he could not meet her as she was hospitalised after a sudden deterioration in her condition. The court while permitting Sisodia to meet his wife ordered him not to talk to the media or indulge in any political activity. A senior leader of AAP, Sisodia held the post of deputy chief minister besides holding various portfolios, including the Excise Department, in the Arvind Kejriwal government before his arrest by the CBI in February. He resigned

Heavy traffic on Delhi's roads ahead of Diwali, long queues at ISBT

Earlier, in anticipation of the traffic congestion during the Diwali and Dhanteras celebrations, the Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory for several parts of the national capital

Inside India Inc's Diwali hamper: Paid leaves, group experiences and more

Companies are opting to offer indulgences with social responsibility added to the package

Pre-Diwali liquor sale in Delhi registers growth of more than 37%

Pre-Diwali sale of liquor in Delhi has registered a growth of more than 37 per cent on the average number of bottles sold during the fortnight before the festival compared to the same period last year, officials said on Friday. According to excise department figures, 2.26 crore bottles of liquor were sold two weeks before Diwali last year. This year, in the last fortnight, 2.58 crore bottles were sold. On Monday, 14.25 lakh bottles were sold. The figure rose to 17.27 lakh bottles on Tuesday and 17.33 lakh on Wednesday. During the three days before Diwali last year, 13.46 lakh, 15 lakh and 19.39 lakh bottles were sold, respectively. The average number of bottles sold over a period of two weeks before Diwali last year was 12.56 lakh. This year so far, the figure is at 17.21 lakh, which means a jump of more than 37 per cent, an excise department officer said. With the sales figures for Thursday, Friday and Saturday yet to be accounted for, there will be a further rise in the number,

Happy Choti Diwali 2023: Top 10 wishes, messages, quotes to share

Before Diwali, people across the country celebrate Choti Diwali, which marks the second day of a five-day festival that falls after Dhanteras. Here are the top 10 wishes to share

Diwali Bonanza: Airfares see up to 9% decline on key domestic routes

On the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, ticket prices decreased marginally from Rs 3,700 to Rs 3,650 in the aforementioned period

Railways ply 1,700 special trains to ease Diwali, Chhath festival rush

In a bid to ease travel during the festival season, the Railways have pressed into service 1,700 special trains, making available 26 lakh additional berths. A Railways official said these additional services are being operated to ease the heavy rush of passengers on account of Diwali and Chhath Puja. "Approximately 26 lakh extra berths have been added for the convenience of passengers," the official said. He said these are extra berths in addition to those available on regular trains across the network. The demand for train reservations is so high that it is becoming difficult for the people planning to head home for the festivities to get a reserved berth.

Delhi govt announces 'Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi' campaign after AQI drops

"We all should take responsibility for our own lives. One should not do work that increases pollution," Rai said

Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries in UP to get free gas cylinders on Holi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that the state government will once again provide free gas cylinders to the beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana on the occasion of Holi in March next year. For this, the beneficiaries of the scheme need to link their bank accounts with Aadhaar. Adityanath inaugurated the distribution campaign for free refills of cooking gas cylinders under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for 1.75 crore eligible families in the state from the Lok Bhavan on Friday the occasion of Dhanteras. The state government will spend Rs 2,312 crore on this campaign, it said in a statement. Adityanath said, "Our government is fulfilling another announcement made in the 'Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra' during the Assembly elections-2022. Before 2014, people were not able to get gas connections. Even if a connection was available, they had to stand in long queues for cylinders." He stated that there were numerous occasions when police were forc

BMC chief urges Mumbaikars to follow HC directive on Diwali firecrackers

Mumbai civic chief Iqbal Chahal on Friday appealed to citizens to follow the Bombay High Court's directive and burst firecrackers only between 7 pm and 10 pm during Diwali. Earlier this week, the high court ordered to limit fireworks between 7 pm and 10 pm during the festival. I request that you all, with folded hands, follow the court's directive and do not burst the crackers that will add to the air and noise pollution, Chahal urged in a video message. He said that citizens had responded positively to his appeals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this time too he hopes that they will follow the court's directive. Air pollution has become an issue in the city due to dust from construction activities and other factors, he said, adding that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken various steps to improve the situation. Though the chief minister has made it a people's movement, it will not succeed unless all citizens of Mumbai participate in it, the civic chief said.

5 Zodiac signs that will bring wealth and prosperity this Dhanteras

Dhanteras is additionally celebrated as the birth anniversary of the father of Ayurveda, Dhanwantari. This Dhanteras, it is believed there are five zodiac signs that will attract wealth and success

Aarti Drugs, Balrampur: 5 stocks that can surge up to 66% in Samvat 2080

Bayer Cropscience, Granules India and HLE Glasscoat are the other three stocks that can generate healthy returns till next Diwali, based on the existing chart patterns.

Dhanteras 2023: Gold demand robust in festive season as price softens

Pre-Diwali Dhanteras buying of gold and silver in India, the world's largest gold consumer, kick-started on a positive note on Friday on recovery of consumer demand with the softening of gold prices. Gold prices have fallen by Rs 800-1,500 per 10 gram (24 carat) from the peak Rs 63,000-level on October 28 and this has evoked buying on Dhanteras, considered the most auspicious day in Hindu calendar for buying items ranging from precious metals to utensils, with traders expecting gold sales to surpass last year's level. On Thursday, Gold prices plunged Rs 400 to Rs 60,950 per 10 grams in the national capital. Gold prices in Delhi were ruling at Rs 50,139 per ten grams, excluding taxes, on 2022 Dhanteras day. In normal years, about 20-30 tonnes of gold are sold on a Dhanteras day. Traders said footfalls are expected to pick up after 12 noon and will continue till late at night. The best muhurat to buy silver and gold on Dhanteras will start at 12.35 pm on Friday and end at 1.57 pm on