Page 2 - Diwali

PM Modi writes to citizens on Diwali, highlights Op Sindoor, GST savings

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 killed, 10 injured in fire at Navi Mumbai residential building

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 rescued from Delhi building after blaze caused by Diwali firecrackers

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

Diwali 2025: Festive season isn't kind to your skin. Here's how to fix it

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

Delhi fire services handle 269 calls on Diwali night, no major mishap

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

Delhi wakes up to toxic skies after Diwali, 36 of 38 zones in red

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

Are banks closed on October 20 and 21 for Diwali? Check state-wise dates

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

Diwali timeless reminder of light's victory over darkness, says Trump

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.

Markets end Samvat 2081 on a high, PM Modi’s Diwali aboard INS Vikrant, Delhi’s air quality dips

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.

Top 10 Diwali stock picks: Where brokerages see the biggest fireworks this Samvat 2082

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 celebrates Diwali on INS Vikrant, calls for self-reliance in defence

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

Why loneliness hits harder during Diwali, and how to cope with it

For singles, and those far from family, Diwali can feel isolating. Experts explain why festive joy often deepens the ache of solitude, and how to ease it

Delhi Fire Service on alert, cancels leaves of staff ahead of Diwali

The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) has cancelled all leaves of its officers and staff ahead of Diwali to ensure round-the-clock preparedness, officials said on Monday. A senior DFS officer said detailed planning is in place to handle any fire-related emergencies during the festive period. "All our fire stations and quick response teams (QRTs) have been put on high alert. We have instructed every team to respond to all distress calls without delay," the officer said. The officer also said besides all the units, many QRTs will be deployed at over 100 locations in Delhi. According to officials, last Diwali, the DFS control room received over 200 fire-related emergency calls, many linked to firecrackers, short circuits, and mishandling of diyas and candles. "Every vehicle has been checked thoroughly and is in working condition. Our aim is to ensure that no call goes unattended," another officer added. The DFS has conducted several mock drills in residential and market areas across the city

Traditional Diwali rituals that continue to nurture mind and body

This Diwali, look beyond the sparkle. From mindful eating to reconnecting with loved ones, discover how traditional practices quietly nurture body and mind

PM Modi extends Diwali greetings, urges support for Swadeshi products

Prime Minister urged Indian consumers to buy domestically made "Swadeshi" products during the festival, encouraging the purchase of Indian-made products and supporting local artisans

Happy Diwali 2025: Wishes, messages & greetings to share with loved ones

Diwali 2025 will be celebrated this year on Oct 20, 2025. Make it memorable by sharing these beautiful messages filled with warmth, hope, and festive cheer

Delhi's air quality worsens on Diwali eve as 24 stations slip into red zone

Delhi's air quality inched close to the "very poor" category on Sunday as pollution levels continued to rise. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 296 at 4 pm, placing it in the "poor" category. An AQI reading between 301 and 400 falls in the "very poor" category. Out of the 38 monitoring stations in the national capital, 12 reported air quality in the "very poor" range. Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 430, followed by Wazirpur (364), Vivek Vihar (351), Dwarka (335), and RK Puram (323). Other areas such as Siri Fort, Dilshad Garden, and Jahangirpuri reported an AQI of 318. Punjabi Bagh stood at 313, Nehru Nagar at 310, Ashok Vihar at 305, and Bawana at 304, CPCB data showed. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 33.3 degrees Celsius, 0.9 degrees above the season's average, while the minimum temperature settled at 20.6 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees above normal, according to the India Meteorological ...

Diwali 2025 first-aid guide: How to treat burns, eye, and smoke injuries

Here's your essential doctor-approved guide to handle burns, eye injuries, and breathing problems safely this Diwali without panic

Non-metro cities drive India's online Diwali shopping boom: Report

Non-metro cities drove this year's online Diwali shopping boom, accounting for nearly three-quarters of total e-commerce volume, with tier 3 cities contributing over 50 per cent, according to industry data. As per the industry data analysis of over 4.25 crore shipments by logistics intelligence platform ClickPost, these regions now represent the fastest and largest drivers of festive e-commerce, solidifying non-metro India's role as the epicentre of order volumes and growth. "The scale of non-metro India is staggering. Tier 3 cities alone accounted for 50.7 per cent of all orders in 2025. Combined with Tier 2 (24.8 per cent), Bharat represents nearly three-quarters (74.7 per cent) of the total order volume, confirming its role as the undisputed engine of e-commerce scale," it said. Festive demand was further boosted by Durga Puja, which saw fashion orders surge by 14.3 per cent during the pre-Puja week and Karwa Chauth, when cosmetic buys nearly doubled fashion purchases. Despite t

Central Railway to run 1,702 special trains for Diwali, Chhath Puja

CPRO added that Extra counters have been set up at major stations for the convenience and safety of the passengers