Page 16 - Diwali

Delhi's overall air quality likely to remain 'poor' till Diwali: Report

Delhi's overall air quality is predicted to remain in the 'poor' to the lower end of 'very poor' category until the morning of October 24, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). Transport-level winds from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh towards Delhi will pick up from October 24 and, in all likelihood, will bring significant stubble-related emissions to Delhi, SAFAR said. The city's 24-hour average AQI was recorded in the 'poor' category at 265 on Saturday as residents flouted the ban on firecrackers in parts of the national capital ahead of Diwali, according to Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) data. 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. "If stubble burning increases gradually, which is likely, its share in Delhi's PM2.5 (based on the average temporal variability of fire counts in the previous years) is like

Around 1.8 mn diyas to be lit; laser show to be part of Ayodhya Deepotsav

Around 18 lakh earthen lamps will be lit on Sunday here as part of Deepotsav, the Diwali celebrations that will include fireworks, a laser show and the staging of Ramlilas. The sixth edition of the Deepotsav will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Navdeep Rinwa said over 15 lakh earthen lamps will be lit by more than 22,000 volunteers at Ram ki Paudi near the Saryu bank. The rest will be placed at important intersections and spots, officials said. Volunteers have been told to arrange 256 earthen lamps in a square and the distance between two squares will be approximately two to three feet, Deepotsav organisers said. Rinwa said there will also be a laser show, 3D projection mapping show and fireworks. Ramlila will also be staged by cultural troupes from other countries and states, he said. At the Ram Katha park, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshman and Lord Hanuman will be shown descending from a "pushpak vimana". An aarti of the Saryu

Carrying Diwali gifts to others, delivery agents hang on to incentive hopes

Delivery partners, riders or executives. Their designations are different, the mission the same shouldering outsized backpacks crammed with everything from lipsticks to lamps, and maybe even laptops, as they zigzag through streets delivering necessities and festivities to our doorsteps. It's Diwali but one edged with anxiety for the band of men on motorcycles and cycles, a familiar sight in cities across India whose work becomes more frantic during festivals. Making an average of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 a month, they hope to earn an incentive, or at least a box of sweets in the season. Chandan, who works with a logistics company that handles couriers for brands such as FirstCry, Snapdeal and Ajio, is one of them. He usually delivers 50-60 parcels a day but this can go as high as 100 during Diwali. Does he get something by way of an incentive for Diwali after working to fulfil orders? The 30-year-old responded with an emphatic no. Let alone incentives, I will count myself lucky if

Around Rs 40,000 cr of business expected during 2-days of Dhanteras: CAIT

Around Rs 40,000 crore of business is expected to be generated on this Dhanteras, which is spread over the weekend, on the back of positive consumer sentiment, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said on Saturday. Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, is considered auspicious to buy new items, especially gold, silver jewellery, all kinds of utensils, kitchenware, vehicles, clothes and readymade garments, electronics, electrical goods among others. This year Dhanteras is spread over the weekend, with the muhurat beginning from 2 pm on Saturday till 6 pm on Sunday. "Around Rs 40,000 crores of business" is expected on two days festival of Dhanteras, CAIT national president B C Bhartia said in a statement. All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation national president Pankaj Arora said there is great enthusiasm among jewellery traders across the country regarding the sale of Dhanteras on Saturday and Sunday, for which the industry has made elaborate preparations. There is als

UP minister reviews preparations of 'Deepotsav' ahead of PM Modi's visit

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh on Saturday took stock of the preparations of 'Deepotsav' in Ayodhya

Dhanteras begins on positive note; jewellers expect footfalls to increase

Dhanteras, spread over two days of the weekend, got off to an auspicious start on Saturday as consumers began trickling in to markets, with jewellers expecting the momentum to increase towards the evening. Dhanteras, which marks the first day of Diwali in India, is considered an auspicious occasion to buy gold and silver as part of Hindu festivities. "Since the day has just begun, the footfalls are just trickling in. As this year Dhanteras is spread over the weekend, we expect the momentum to increase towards the afternoon and evening and tomorrow. "Mainly, since morning people who had pre-booked, are coming to pick up the items to avoid the crowd," All India Gem And Jewellery Domestic Council chairman Ashish Pethe told PTI. Since the last 3-4 days the consumer sentiment has been good and the sales momentum has been positive. The industry expects a good two days of business, he added. PNG Jewellers Chairman and Managing Director Saurabh Gadgil said in Maharashtra, the footfalls ha

2 out of 5 families to burst firecrackers in Delhi-NCR this Diwali: Survey

The percentage of households bursting firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on Diwali could be the highest in five years as two out of every five families are likely to indulge in the activity, according to a survey. Ten per cent of the respondents said they have already bought firecrackers from shops in Delhi, while 20 per cent said they have purchased firecrackers from other cities in the National Capital Region (NCR), indicating that the ban on the sale of such items is not as effective as it needs to be, according to the survey conducted by LocalCircles. The survey received more than 10,000 responses from the residents of all the districts in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad. Sixty-nine per cent of the respondents were men, while 31 per cent were women. "Sixty-one per cent respondents said they will not be burning any crackers either because they are convinced that they cause pollution or because they are abiding by the ban. The survey results, when compared over time, indica

Expect record deliveries of cars, two-wheelers on Dhanteras: FADA

Rebounding after two pandemic-hit years, automobile dealers expect a bumper sale of two- and four-wheelers during the auspicious Dhanteras this year. Dealers expect a rush for automobiles across categories. Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) President Manish Raj Singhania said dealers are sitting on a record number of bookings this festive season and most customers are insisting on deliveries on Dhanteras. Dhanteras, also known as Dhanatrayodashi, is celebrated each year as the first day to mark the beginning of Diwali. On this day, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs buy brass, silver and gold objects as it is regarded as one of the most auspicious and ideal days to purchase expensive items. This year, Dhanteras is being celebrated on October 22 and 23. Auto dealers are expecting bumper sales in all segments, including passenger and commercial vehicles and two-wheelers. "We expect record retail sales of passenger vehicles on Dhanteras. Even two-wheeler sales are expected to .

Diwali a universal concept that transcends cultures: US VP Kamala Harris

Diwali is a universal concept that transcends cultures, Vice President Kamala Harris said on Friday as she opened her official residence for scores of Indian Americans to celebrate the festival of lights. The Naval Observatory -- official residence of the vice president -- was colourfully decorated with lights and diyas (earthen lamps) while the guests were served a wide variety of authentic Indian delicacies from pani puri' to traditional sweets, community leaders, who attended the event, said. Diwali is a universal concept that transcends cultures. It is about being inspired by the relevance of light over darkness, and shedding light in moments of darkness, Harris told the gathering of more than a hundred Indian Americans. As the vice president, I think a lot about it because we are not without great challenges in our own country and in the world. And these are the moments when a festival like Diwali reminds us of the importance of our power to bring light in moments of darkness,

Diwali 2022: Dhanteras likely to see bumper demand for jewellery

Industry captains expect a 15-20% increase in demand over last year's high base

Phones, watches, cameras: Diwali gift shopping is back with a bang

Two years of pandemic gloom appear over as e-commerce websites and malls report people splurging and bring them business

Last metro train service on all corridors to start at 10 PM on Diwali

The last metro train service on all DMRC corridors will start at 10 PM from terminal stations on account of the Diwali festival, officials said on Friday. The routine time for that on regular days is 11 PM. "On account of the Diwali festival, the last metro train service on October 24 (Monday), will start at 10 (2200 Hrs) from terminal stations of all metro lines," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said in a statement. Metro train services will run as usual for rest of the day on Diwali from routine commencement timings on all the lines, it said.

PM Modi to visit UP's Ayodhya on Diwali eve for 'puja' at Ram temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on the eve of Diwali on Sunday to have "darshan" and perform a "puja" at the Ram temple. Modi will also inspect the construction site of a grand Ram temple and later, perform a symbolic coronation of Lord Ram, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). At around 6.30 pm, the prime minister will witness the "aarti" on the banks of the Saryu river, which will be followed by the launch of the grand "Deepotsav" celebrations by him, the statement said. The sixth edition of Deepotsav is being held this year and it is for the first time that Modi will be participating in the celebrations. More than 15 lakh "diyas" (earthen lamps) will be lit on the occasion. Five animated tableaux and 11 Ramlila tableaux showcasing various dance forms from different states will also be prepared during Deepotsav. Modi will also witness a 3-D "holographic projection mapping show" at Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of the

Diwali begins in US from Times Square; Harris, Trump to celebrate on Friday

Diwali celebrations have started in the United States from the iconic Times Square in New York, with the US Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump celebrating the festival of lights at their residences on Friday. Eminent Indian-Americans from across the country started flying into the American Capital from Thursday night which now appears to be a week-long Diwali celebration by the Biden Administration and members of the Congress. Harris and the Second Gentleman have invited scores of eminent Indian-Americans, diplomats and members of the administration for the Diwali celebrations at VP residence on Friday. Three days later, US President Joe Biden and the First Lady Dr Jill Biden have invited Indian-Americans at the White House to celebrate the Diwali on Monday, October 24, itself. The Secretary of State Tony Blinken is hosting another Diwali party at the State Department with the diplomatic community on October 26. Diwali is also being celebrated at the US

Delhi Police intensifies patrolling in national capital ahead of Diwali

Ahead of Diwali, the Delhi Police has intensified patrolling, enhanced its presence and are carrying out anti-sabotage checks in heavy footfall areas of the capital, including markets and malls, officials said on Thursday. Flag marches and foot patrolling were conducted in the crowded market of Sarojini Nagar which usually witnesses heavy footfall during the festive season, they said. Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Sagar Preet Hooda said, "In view of festive season, we have intensified our patrolling in market areas, extra police pickets have also been installed and personnel have been deployed. "From the anti-terror point of view, anti-sabotage checks are being done to ensure that no anti-social or anti-national elements carry out activities that can harm anybody's life," the officer said. "We have strong police presence during the festive season. For women's safety, we have also deployed women personnel on the ground," he said. All preventive measures are being

BJP leaders dub Delhi govt 'anti-Hindu' over cracker ban ahead of Diwali

BJP leaders on Thursday targeted the Delhi government over the complete ban on firecrackers, dubbing the Arvind Kejriwal-led dispensation "anti-Hindu". The Kejriwal government said the ban on crackers was imposed on the orders of Supreme Court and the BJP leaders were showing disrespect to the court. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should allow people in Delhi to burst crackers for two-three hours on Diwali. Party leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga termed the Kejriwal government as "anti Hindu" and said that it earlier banned Chhath celebration on Yamuna bank and was now trying to prevent cracker bursting on Diwali. The Delhi government, in a statement, said the cracker ban was imposed by the Supreme Court in view of health of the people. "In such a situation, the BJP leaders were disrespecting the Supreme Court order and indulging in dirty politics over health of the people," the statement said. The AAP government also questioned the BJP why it was mum

'Spend money on sweets': SC refuses to lift ban on firecrackers in Delhi

The Supreme Court on Thursday turned down a plea by BJP leader Manoj Tiwari seeking an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi

Airfares jump ahead of Diwali, Delhi-Mumbai route records total sellout

Airfares have jumped two to three times as compared to the normal times on non-leisure destinations

Delhi's air quality to turn 'very poor' ahead of Diwali, curbs imposed

With air quality in the national capital likely to deteriorate to 'very poor' category in ahead of Diwali, the CAQM in Delhi-NCR has directed the authorities to enact Stage 2 of the Graded Response Ac

Punjab rapped for failure to control stubble burning surge ahead of Diwali

On Monday and Tuesday, 1,045 events of stubble burning were reported as against 114 events during the same period in 2021