Page 2 - Diwali

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

Diwali 2025 safety guide: How to prevent firecracker burns and injuries

Doctors say most Diwali-related accidents are preventable with simple safety habits, from avoiding synthetic clothes to using green crackers and knowing first aid

Delhi Police tightens security, traffic control across city ahead of Diwali

Special security measures have been implemented at key markets, crowded public places, and commercial hubs with high foot traffic

Increase police patrolling in crowded areas during festivals: UP CM

CM Yogi further emphasised on constant coordination between the police, administration, and municipal corporation

PM Modi greets nation on Dhanteras festival, wishes health and prosperity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted the nation on Dhanteras, the festival that marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. "Many happy Dhanteras wishes to all my family members across the country. On this auspicious occasion, I wish everyone happiness, good fortune, and health, Modi said in a post in Hindi on X. May Lord Dhanvantari shower his bountiful blessings on everyone, the prime minister said. Dhanvantari Trayodashi, commonly known as Dhanteras, is considered the first day of Diwali and celebrated on the 13th lunar day of the Krishna Paksha (waning period of the moon) of the Hindu calendar's Ashwin month. Dhanteras is considered the most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar for buying items, ranging from precious metals like gold and silver to utensils.

How to enjoy Diwali drinks without damaging your liver or your waistline

Doctors warn that even small festive indulgences can strain your liver. Experts share science-backed tips to celebrate responsibly and stay healthy this Diwali

Why Dhanteras remains India's biggest gold-buying day despite record prices

As gold prices peak, Indian households still spend big on Dhanteras, showing how faith and finance continue to shape the country's festive buying patterns

Ayodhya gears up for Deepotsav 2025: Sarayu Ghats to glow with 2.8 mn lamps

A major attraction this year will be a 32-foot-tall Pushpak Viman at Ram Ki Paidi, showcasing scenes from the Ramayana and giving visitors a vivid experience of the epic

Delhi govt's GST refund gift to traders ahead of Diwali; ₹738 cr disbursed

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said that her government has so far disbursed Rs 738 crore in goods and services tax (GST) refund to the city traders ahead of Diwali. The government earlier announced a GST refund of Rs 1,600 crore to city traders, pending since 2019. The process remains ongoing, with modern technology enabling faster and more efficient refund processing, Gupta said. Highlighting the government's efforts to ensure timely GST refunds, she said that the Trade and Taxes department has successfully cleared pending refund cases amounting to Rs 1,002 crore, of which Rs 738 crore has already been paid to business establishments and traders. So far, 8,259 refund applications have been processed, a record number, including 7,409 claims below Rs 10 lakh. The prompt disposal of these smaller claims has provided much-needed relief to small traders and business owners across Delhi, she said. The refund system has been fast-tracked with the Trade and Taxes department coming

At least 74% of urban households eat sweets 3 or more times a month: Survey

According to the LocalCircles survey, only five per cent of people in the urban Indian households said that they did not consume traditional sweets

Diwali 2025 treats decoded: Calories in laddoos, kaju katlis and samosas

This Diwali, nutritionists decode the calorie content of laddoos, kaju katlis, gujiyas, and samosas, revealing how sugar, ghee and frying make your festive favourites calorie bombs

Diwali rush: IRCTC website crashes before Tatkal bookings, users frustrated

This was not the first time the IRCTC platform has faced technical issues, outages and glitches have long frustrated travellers, particularly during peak travel seasons