Page 8 - Diwali

Indian Railways to operate 7,000 trains, adds extra coaches for Diwali rush

In a bid to enhance convenience for travelers during Diwali and Chhath Puja, an additional 12,500 coaches will be added to the trains

Diwali drive: CM Yogi orders uncut power supply in UP from Oct 28 to Nov 15

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure there is no power cut in the state from October 28 to November 15, a period which will witness many Hindu festivals. The CM issued the order in a meeting attended by divisional commissioners, district magistrates, and the top brass of police. "During this period of joy and celebration, uninterrupted power supply for 24 hours should be ensured throughout the state from October 28 to November 15. Power Corporation must make the necessary preparations to achieve this," Adityanath said. "Emergency health and trauma services must continue without interruption. Doctors should be easily accessible in all areas, whether in villages or cities," he said. The CM also took note of the threat of food adulteration that becomes high around the festival period. "In light of the upcoming festivals, food safety inspections should be intensified, but care must be taken to ensure there is no harassment under the pretext of ...

Bihar bans sale, bursting of all firecrackers in Patna, 3 other cities

The Bihar government has banned the sale and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers, including green crackers, in Patna and three other cities of Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur to curb air pollution during Diwali. According to a circular issued by the Patna district administration on Thursday, "A decision banned the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers, including green crackers, in Patna and three other cities -- Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur -- to curb air pollution during Diwali, has been taken following a directive of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to maintain ambient air quality in all cities." "The bursting of firecrackers led to a lot of air and noise pollution as they released toxic air pollutants and particulates (dust). These produce light to dense clouds of smoke, affecting eyes, throat, lungs, heart and skin of the people," the order said. In other towns, only green or eco-friendly crackers will be allowed on Diwali. "Hence, the licence for sale of crackers will not

Diwali 2024 calendar: Know all about the 5 days of the Festival of Light

Diwali is the most significant festival Hindu festival, observed around this time of the year. Five days are dedicated to the festivities. Let's take a look at the entire Deepawali calendar

Diwali 2024 date: Is it October 31 or November 1? Know the confirmed date

The date of Diwali 2024 sparked debate due to the Amavasya Tithi spanning both October 31 and November 1

Diwali gifts 2024: Indians likely to spend Rs 1.8 trn, mithais top choice

Traditional gifts remain the top choice for most, with 53% of respondents opting for sweets, bakery products, or chocolates

Zomato raises platform fee to Rs 10 as festive season demand spikes

With a reported order volume of 647 million in FY23, the Re 1 increase could add Rs 65 crore to Zomato's annual revenue

Haryana pharma boss gifts 15 cars to employees, calls them 'celebrities'

The pharmaceutical company, Mits Healthcare also gifted 12 cars to its employees last year ahead of the Diwali festival

Diwali firecrackers cause 875% spike in pollution, reveals new report

Indian states such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, where pollution is already a significant issue, PM2.5 levels surge to dangerous levels on Diwali night

BSE, NSE to conduct one-hour Diwali 'Muhurat Trading' on November 1

Leading stock exchanges BSE and NSE will conduct a one-hour special 'Muhurat Trading' session on the occasion of Diwali on November 1, marking the start of the new Samvat 2081. The symbolic trading session will be held between 6 pm and 7 pm, the stock exchanges said in separate circulars. The session also marks the beginning of a new Samvat -- the Hindu calendar year that starts on Diwali -- and it is believed that trading during the 'Muhurat' or auspicious hour brings prosperity and financial growth for the stakeholders. The market will remain closed for regular trading on Diwali, but a special trading window will be open for one hour in the evening. The exchanges announced that the pre-opening session will take place from 5:45 pm to 6:00 pm. Market analysts said that Diwali is considered to be the ideal time to start anything new. Investors are said to benefit from trading during this session all through the year. Since the trading window is only open for an hour, markets are kn

Trading strategy ahead of Samvat 2081: Buy the dips, Sell the rallies

Financials, IT, Energy and Auto sectors account for over 52% weightage on the Nifty 50 index; here's how the Bank Nifty, IT, Energy and Auto indices are placed on the charts, and likely trend ahead.

Walmart expands snack sourcing from India for US market ahead of Diwali

US retail major Walmart on Thursday said it is increasing its food and snack products sourcing by adding new popular Indian brands like Bikano, Britannia and Jayanti Spices for the US market ahead of Diwali. Bentonville-based retail giant Walmart has also set a goal of sourcing goods worth USD 10 billion from India annually by 2027. The announced lineup of new food and snack products will cater to Diwali celebrations. "Together, they will supply a diverse range of well-loved snacks and food products to Walmart's US customers," a statement said, adding that "offerings include premium tea, ready-to-eat and frozen foods, traditional snacks, spices, and festive packs". Products by India's leading food companies like Britannia and Bikano will be available this Diwali, while brands, such as Regal Kitchen and VAHDAM, are already available to the Walmart US customer, it noted. Jayanti Spices and Hyfun Foods currently have products under Walmart's Great Value brand. Walmart, Executive Vic

US top source of international visitors for Diwali in India: Agoda

Goa, Mumbai, Chennai and Jaipur are other popular destinations, according to travel booking firm

Over 2,950 special trains announced for festive rush; check key details

Nearly 52 extra coaches will be added to various trains, enabling 2,740 additional trips and providing capacity for over 206,000 passengers during the festive period

Average airfares around Diwali drop 20-25% on many domestic routes

Air passengers might have a reason to smile this Diwali season as average airfares on many domestic routes have dropped 20-25 per cent compared to the year-ago period, according to an analysis. Increased capacity and the recent fall in oil prices are considered to be among the factors for the fall in air ticket prices. The analysis by travel portal ixigo showed that average airfare on the domestic routes have declined in the range of 20-25 per cent. The prices are for one-way average fare on a 30 days APD (advanced purchase date) basis. For 2023, the time period considered is November 10-16 while it is October 28-November 3 for this year. This is the time around Diwali. The maximum decline of average airfare is 38 per cent for a Bengaluru-Kolkata flight to Rs 6,319 this year from Rs 10,195 last year, as per the analysis. The ticket price on Chennai-Kolkata route has fallen 36 per cent to Rs 5,604 from Rs 8,725. The average airfare for Mumbai-Delhi flight has dropped 34 per cent

Special trains to be run between Panvel and Nanded on Diwali, Chhath Puja

As per the release, The details are as under: Train 07626 Bi-weekly Festival special will leave from Panvel at 2.30 pm every Tuesday and Thursday from October 22 to November 28

Delhi CM Atishi road repair plan: Tenders floated for 74 of 89 projects

Delhi CM Atishi says that 89 projects for road repairs in Delhi have been outlined to have a pothole-free capital by Diwali

Free rice, sugar to be given via fair price shops in Pondy before Diwali

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy announced here on Sunday that his government has decided to distribute 10 kg rice and 2 kg sugar, free of cost, through fair price shops to card holders before Diwali. Addressing media here, he said the decision to distribute free rice and sugar to all families covered under public distribution system in the Union Territory before Diwali was taken in keeping with the pleas from various quarters. The ration shops which have remained closed for some months now would be reopened to distribute rice and sugar. He said workers employed in fair price shops who remain unpaid for several months would be paid a month's salary when the shops reopen. The territorial government has finalized the tender for supply of rice and sugar. The CM noted that funds have been earmarked to procure the rice and sugar for the free distribution scheme. There are around three lakh families covered under public distribution system in the Union Territory.

Should you buy these 5 film & entertainment stocks this festive season?

Media stocks in focus ahead of big film releases this Diwali: PVRInox, Eros Media and Shemaroo Entertainment among 5 stocks that can rally up to 28% from here on, shows technical charts.

Buying your dream home, gifting for festivals: Top personal finance stories

We report on how strategise for a pricey property market and what to give family and friends for Diwali