Page 9 - Diwali

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

Festivals in October 2024: Check out complete list of festivals this month

October 2024 is the month of festivals in India, featuring major Hindu celebrations like Navratri and Diwali. The festivities begin with Navratri and culminate in Diwali

Centre likely to announce 3-4% DA hike for employees ahead of Diwali

The potential increase in Dearness Allowance is expected to bring a financial boost to government employees

Diwali flight bookings soar by 85%, with Delhi, Kochi among top places

Popular travel destinations include major metros like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and emerging hotspots like Guwahati and Patna

How insurance industry is adopting technology to assist customers

Artificial intelligence, data analytics help companies to improve claims processing, solve complaints

Light diyas, celebrate Ram temple consecration like Diwali: PM to officials

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked his Cabinet colleagues to celebrate the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22 like Diwali by lighting up diyas at their homes and also feed the poor, sources said. He made these remarks at the Union Cabinet meeting amid a nationwide religious fervour in the run-up to the ceremony which he will be attending. Cabinet ministers, sources said, have also been urged to visit the temple along with devotees from their respective states after January 22. With the exercise by Hindutva organisations to mobilise the masses ahead of the ceremony drawing positive response, the BJP-led NDA believes the event will add to the popular appeal for the temple and may help it in the Lok Sabha elections expected in April-May. The BJP has already mobilised its members across the country to facilitate people's visit to Ayodhya and stay in the holy town after the ceremony.

Delhi recorded the most polluted December in 2023 in the last five years

However, the government data showed that overall, 2023 had the best air quality since 2018, barring 2020 when the pollution was low owing to the country-wide lockdown

Celebrate Diwali in Mumbai on Jan 22 for Ram temple inauguration: CM to BMC

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday asked the Mumbai civic commissioner to put up decorative lights on temples and buildings here and "celebrate Diwali" on January 22, the day of consecration of Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and more than 6,000 people are expected to attend the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya in UP. Speaking at a cleanliness drive in Mumbai, CM Shinde said, "The Ram temple will be inaugurated on January 22. I want to ask to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner to celebrate Diwali across Mumbai city. Let there be lots of decorative lightings on all the temples and buildings in Mumbai." The chief minister said the Ram temple was a dream of (Shiv Sena founder) late Balasaheb Thackeray and several devotees of Lord Ram. "Modiji made the dream (of building the Ram temple) into a reality. What PM Modi speaks, he ensures to make it a reality. Be it the Railways or

Diesel sales recover after Diwali drop but still lower than last year

India's diesel consumption in the first half of December recovered from the steep fall seen last month on transporters taking a Diwali break, but sales were still lower than last year, preliminary data of state-owned firms showed. Diesel consumption at 3.15 million tonne during December 1 to 15 was 0.7 per cent higher than 3.13 million tonne demand in the first half of November. The demand was 8.1 per cent lower than 3.43 million tonne consumption in December 1-15, 2022. Industry officials said the November dip in sales was largely on account of some truckers taking Diwali break to visit their homes. Diesel is India's most consumed fuel, accounting for almost 40 per cent of all petroleum product consumption. The transport sector accounts for 70 per cent of all diesel sales in the country. Petrol sales by three state-owned fuel retailers rose 0.7 per cent to 1.22 million tonne in the first fortnight of December on increased personal vehicle movement. Fuel consumption has been on a