Page 14 - Diwali

K'taka: 2 dead, over 40 ill after drinking contaminated water on Diwali

Diwali turned tragic for Hothpet village in Shahapura taluk of Yadgir, Karnataka as two persons died and over 40 are being treated at a hospital after allegedly drinking contaminated wat

NYC mayor urges people to 'live in the spirit' of Diwali amid hate crimes

As communities grapple with hate crimes and darkness, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has urged people to live in the spirit of Lord Ram, Sita and Diwali and be the beacon of light and hope each day of the year. There's too much darkness. We have been engulfed in the desire to just find places we disagree, he said on Tuesday, giving a clarion call to people and communities "to live true to what Diwali represents". Let's live in the spirit of Ram, let's live in the spirit of Sita. Let's live in the spirit of Diwali. Let's live up to what this holiday represents and then we will know that we have fulfilled our responsibility and obligation, Adams said, as he wished Happy Diwali to a large gathering of prominent members of the Indian-American, South Asian and other communities at a Diwali celebration hosted at his official residence. It is time for us to live up to Diwali, to sit down and communicate, to push back against hate crimes against Sikhs, against AAPI (Asian American Pacific .

High festive demand pushes up demand for gig and temp workers: Report

Over 400,000 gig and temporary workers were reportedly hired to meet the high demand during this year's festive season

Post-Diwali air quality better than 2021 in several cities, shows CPCB data

Delhi air quality 'very poor' the day after; improvement over previous years

Kolkata AQI dips on Diwali amid rain; no escape from noise in Jharkhand

Intermittent rain and warnings of cyclone 'Sitrang' saw air pollution levels dip in Kolkata on Diwali, though the rain gods could not stem fireworks' use and the resulting noise in the capital of neighbouring state of Jharkhand. Air pollution level across Kolkata on Kali Puja-Diwali evening was "far less" than what it was on the occasion in the last three years, an official of West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) said on Tuesday. The dip in air pollution can largely be attributed to intermittent showers since Monday morning under the impact of cyclone 'Sitrang', he said. The light rain cleansed the air and prevented a section of revellers to go out and burst firecrackers, the official said. At Rabindra Sarobar in south Kolkata, the air quality index was 43 at 11 pm, which comes in the 'good' range. The AQI in the same locality was 168 around the same time on last year's Kali Puja. Similarly, the AQI at an air monitoring station in Jadavpur was 44 on Monday as compared to 24

Gujarat reports 30 burn cases on Diwali, 8 recorded from Ahmedabad: Report

A total of 30 burn cases, eight of them in Ahmedabad alone, were reported in different parts of Gujarat on Diwali night, a rise of 400 per cent from normal days, the Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) said on Tuesday. Diwali was celebrated across Gujarat on Monday in an environment free of coronavirus-related curbs after two years with people bursting firecrackers to mark the festival of lights. "As against six burn cases reported on normal days, 30 cases related to burn injuries were reported on Diwali night on Monday, recording an increase of 400 per cent," Ahmedabad-based EMRI said in a statement. However, the institute did not disclose the cause of burn injuries. The institute operates '108' free ambulance service across Gujarat in partnership with the state government. Apart from eight burn cases in Ahmedabad, three each were reported in Rajkot, Narmada and Kutch, two each in Surat, Gandhinagar, Bharuch, Bhavnagar and Kheda, and one each in Chhotaudepur, ...

Latest Live: Rishi Sunak becomes richest-ever occupant of UK's Number 10

From Sunak's appointment as UK PM, Cyclone Sitrang to coronavirus cases and air pollution, catch all the latest developments from across the globe here

Over dozen fire incidents reported on Diwali in Noida, no casualties

The fire department received more than a dozen calls from Noida and Greater Noida on Diwali, officials said on Tuesday. Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Arun Kumar Singh said, no loss of life was reported in any of the incidents. In two instances, the water tenders and firefighters returned midway after the flames were doused before they arrived at the spot. "Altogether 13 fire incidents were reported from 6 am Monday till 6 am Tuesday. Three fire incidents were reported from homes, including an apartment in a high rise society, while rest were from shops and garbage dumping spots in Noida and Greater Noida," Singh said. One water tender and four fighters were sent at 12 spots, he said. "Maximum four water tenders were rushed along with firefighters to Vedantam society in Gaur City 2 area of Greater Noida (West) after a call alerted us about the fire in an apartment around 10 pm Monday," Singh said. The blaze had spread to two floors of the apartments but was put out within an hour, he ..

Rahul wishes Diwali to Bharat Jodo Yatra workers, offers silver coins

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wished Diwali to all Bharat Yatris, drivers and labourers working in the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra camp, offered them silver coins and sweets, and hoped their faith in India's true values will defeat hate. In his letter to them, he said their faith in India's true values will also illuminate the path forward. He also gifted his fellow Bharat Yatris who are walking the entire yatra and the workers and drivers with a silver coin and sweets. "We have walked hand in hand in the beautiful Bharat Jodo Yatra - your faith, your belief in yourselves and in India's true values will defeat hate and illuminate the path forward. "Don't talk, act. Don't say, show. Don't promise, prove. I wish you and your family a very Happy Deepawali," Gandhi said in his letter to all yatris and those working at the camp. The Congress also tweeted Gandhi's letter and said, "Wow... beautiful...full of affection. On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, Rahul Gandhi ji gave a wonderful

Delhi air quality 'very poor' after Diwali, improves from previous years

Pollution 'very unhealthy' and 'unhealthy' in the national capital and cities around it

Delhi saw 30% drop in firecracker bursting on Diwali this year: Gopal Rai

Incidents of bursting of firecrackers on Diwali in Delhi dropped by 30 per cent this year as compared to last year and the city recorded its best air quality for the day after the festival in five years, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday. The air quality index (AQI) stood at 323 on Tuesday (the day after Diwali) as compared to 462 last year, he said. "People of Delhi were very thoughtful on Diwali this year and I want to thank them. Today, the pollution level is the lowest in five years," Rai told reporters on the sidelines of an event where he launched 150 mobile anti-smog guns. He said the anti-smog guns will be deployed at 40 spots across the capital where air pollution is high. The minister said incidents of bursting of firecrackers came down by 30 per cent on Diwali this year. "The AQI of 323 is still worrying and tells us that air pollution will increase in the coming days," he said. Rai further claimed the Punjab government controlled stubble burning in the st

Delhi's air quality lowest in last 5 years after Diwali, still 'very poor'

The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 312 was the second best for the Diwali day in seven years

Humanoid robots lead Diwali celebrations at Jaipur housing society

Residents of Gulmohar Garden Society here experienced a unique Diwali this year as they celebrated the festivities with four humanoid robots. The robots, made by Club First Robotics in Jaipur, led the celebrations as they lit sparklers and crackers, shook hands with the residents and greeted the guests. Speaking of the idea behind the event, robotics expert Bhuvnesh Mishra said, "When all of us are celebrating Diwali, personnel in the fire brigade and police and sanitation workers are performing their duties away from their families. In such situations, these robots can become their support." These robots can efficiently accomplish tasks such as extinguishing a fire in an emergency or repairing a choke in a sewer line, Mishra said. The robots that took part in Gulmohar Garden Society's festivities included Xena 5.0 All Terrain Robot, Xena 6.0 Solar Manhole Cleaning Robot, Sona 3.5 AI Humanoid Robot and Sona 2.5 Service Robot Men. Sona 2.5 manned the food service at the cafeteria w

111,000 earthen lamps lit in Ujjain's Mahakaleswar Temple on Diwali

Diwali was celebrated at Ujjain's Mahakaleswar Jyotirlinga by lighting 1,11,000 earthen lights on Monday.Celebrations of Diwali, the festival of lights, began early Monday morning at Ujjain's Mahakaleswar Jyotirlinga as thousands of devotees thronged to the temple to offer their prayers on this auspicious day.A special aarti is being offered at the Mahakal Temple to mark 'Naraka Chaturdashi'.After the evening aarti of Baba Mahakal by the Mahakaleshwar Temple Committee along with the members of the Mahakaleshwar Management Committee, the Chairman of the Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee and the Mahant of Mahakaleshwar Temple, started the Deepotsav by lighting the lamp.Devotees coming to the people also enjoyed the festival by lighting the lamp. The children of the orphanage also lit the lamp. The District Collector Ashish Singh was also present at the event."As per the tradition, lord Mahakal has been offered Chappan Bhog and fuljhari," priest Mahesh Sharma told ANI.Narak ...

Indian Americans help light our way forward, says Jill Biden on Diwali

As the United States charts its way forward, Indian Americans help light the path with courage, kindness, persistence and love, First Lady Dr Jill Biden has said. The Bidens had invited more than 200 Indian Americans from across the country for the largest-ever White House Diwali party of the current administration. Addressing a jam-packed East Room of the White House, the first lady appreciated the role of Indian Americans in enhancing the US' socio-economic fabric. As we chart our path toward the future, this community helps light our way forward with courage and kindness, with persistence and faith, with love. I'm grateful that today these diyas have guided you to this home, a home that belongs to all of you: The White House, Jill Biden said in her remarks on Monday. Quoting Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, she said, The sky is flushed with the dawn and my path lies beautiful. Ask not what I have with me to take there. I start on my journey with empty hands and an expected ..

Apple CEO Cook extends Diwali wishes; gives shoutout to Mumbai photographer

Apple CEO Tim Cook took to Twitter to wish everyone Diwali. And what made his wish even more special was the photo Tim attached with his tweet.Tim attached a photo clicked by a Mumbai-based photographer Apeksha Maker and wrote, "This photo beautifully captures why Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. Wishing all who celebrate a holiday full of joy and prosperity. #ShotoniPhone by Apeksha Maker."The photographer shared Tim Cook's shoutout and said that she is "humbled" that Tim shared her photo."Humbled & stoked to have #TimCook @apple post my #shotoniphone image for Diwali! Wishing you all a prosperous one," Apeksha wrote on Instagram.Talking about the latest update from Apple, the tech giant will soon be releasing iOS 16.1 soon. According to GSM Arena, rumours that suggested the iPadOS release would also be labelled iOS 16.1 might be true as it would make sense for the company to re-sync the version numbers of its mobile operating systems.With iOS 16.1, users will be able

Joe Biden, First Lady host largest ever Diwali reception at White House

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden on Monday hosted a Diwali reception at the White House in what they called the largest since the People's House started celebrating the festival during the George Bush administration. More than 200 eminent Indian Americans attended the reception at the East Room, a venue which has witnessed some of the landmark events related to the India-US relationship, including the signing of the nuclear deal and the joint press conference by then US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2008. The reception saw some enthralling cultural events, including performances by sitarist Rishab Sharma and dance troupe The Sa Dance Company. The guests, dressed in traditional Indian attires such as saree, lehenga and sherwani, relished some mouthwatering Indian delicacies. The room is full at the East state dining room This is a real celebration of what the Indian American community has achieved in the United States.

Delhi's air turns 'very poor', but still 2nd best on Diwali in 7 years

Delhi's air quality turned "very poor" on Monday amid an increase in stubble burning, bursting of firecrackers and moderately unfavourable meteorological conditions which allowed accumulation of pollutants. However, the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 312 was still the second best for the Diwali day in seven years. Before this, the city recorded an AQI of 281 on Diwali in 2018. Delhi had recorded an AQI of 382 on Diwali last year, 414 in 2020; 337 in 2019; 319 in 2017; and 431 in 2016, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data. The neighbouring cities of Ghaziabad (301), Noida (303), Greater Noida (270), Gurugram (325) and Faridabad (256) reported poor to very poor air quality. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". The relatively better air doesn't mean it's good air. The PM2.5 levels at 25 monitoring stations in the national .

Real-time monitoring of sound, air pollution on Diwali underway in Bengal

West Bengal Environment Minister Manas Bhuniya Monday said the new central control room at Paribesh Bhavan here is monitoring sound and air pollution in real time on Diwali and Kali Puja. Bhuniya, who inspected the control room at the West Bengal Pollution Control Board headquarters, told reporters that experts from IIT-Delhi are examining the data at regular intervals, particularly during evening, and passing on the information to departments concerned. "If there is any data about violation of sound limits prescribed by the WBPCB, we will mark the hotspots and officers of the respective police stations will be alerted, and the offenders will be tracked," he said. Over 100 mini control rooms at the district level across North and South Bengal are functioning since the evening and feeding data to the central control room every minute, an Environment Department official said. WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra said so far, the situation has not turned alarming, which can be attributed to th

Recovery tracker: Dip in railway numbers, fewer flyers ahead of Diwali

Weekly vehicle registrations surge to nearly 600,000