Diwali celebrations Highlights: 281 people arrested in Delhi for violating firecracker ban

A slew of political leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and other prominent personalities took to social media to extend their greetings to Indians celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. Meanwhile, poor air quality was recorded in several parts of northern India a day after Diwali. Stay tuned to DH for latest updates.

281 people arrested in Delhi for violating firecracker ban between September 29 and Diwali (PTI)

Fireworks led to major changes in pollution levels on Diwali: DPCC

Man shot at in Noida over clash due to bursting of crackers on Diwali

A Noida resident was hospitalised after getting shot at during a clash that broke out here over bursting of firecrackers onDiwali, officials said on Friday.

The person who opened fire has been arrested over the incident that took place on Thursday night at Garhi Chaukhandi village, under Phase 3 police station limits, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Harish Chander said.

"The clash had erupted between two sides in the village due to one asking the other to not burst firecrackers outside their shop. First they had heated arguments, then engaged in a physical duel after which one person took out his licensed pistol and opened fire, wounding his relative," the officer said. (PTI)

Air quality on Diwali turns `very poor' in Bhopal, `poor' in Indore

The air quality turned `very poor' in the state capital Bhopal and `poor' in Indore onDiwaliday, data released by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) showed.

The air quality was measured from 6 am on Thursday to 6 am on Friday, said a scientist with the MPPCB.

The quality of air in other two major cities of MP -- Gwalior and Jabalpur -- was moderate. (PTI)

S preparing to bring Bill on Diwali so national holiday can be given, says Anurag Thakur

Weather outside not good at all, says SC judge, rues spike in air pollution

Supreme Court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat on Friday said that the weather outside is not good at all while referring to the spike in air pollution level in the national capital post-Diwali celebrations.

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Delhi's Diwali: Even CP smog tower couldn't give breathable air

Even the recently-launched smog tower at Connaught Place could not give breathable air to residents nearby on Diwali night as the air quality across Delhi-NCR nosedived to the "severe" zone following rampant cracker bursting, government data showed.

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Chennai's air quality very poor, increase seen in pollutants: TN Govt

Diwali, Bandi Chhor Diwas marked by paying homage to farmers who died during protest: SKM

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha markedDiwaliand Bandi Chhor Diwas by paying homage to "more than 653 farmers" who died during the ongoing farmers' protest, it said in a statement on Friday.

The umbrella body of farmer unions said protesters have resolved more strongly that they will not let the sacrifice of these farmers go to waste.

"Protesting farmers resolved more strongly that they will not allow the sacrifice of more than 653 farmers so far to go waste, and that they will end the agitation only after the demands of the farmers' struggle are met fully by the Modi government," the SKM said in the statement. (PTI)

Arunachal Guv celebrated Diwali with army at Sino-India border

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra celebratedDiwaliwith the Indian Army and Indo Tibetan Border Police personnel at the line of actual control in Anjaw district bordering China on Thursday.

The governor who was posted in the western sector in the Sino-india 1962 War, complimented the troops for their devotion to duty and patriotism and for their grit and elan, a Raj Bhavan communique said here on Friday. (PTI)

Pollution has a huge effect on respiratory health: AIIMS Director

Pollution has a huge effect on respiratory health especially on people with lung diseases, asthma as their disease worsens. Pollution can also lead to more severe cases of Covid. Should wear mask as it'll help in protection from both Covid & pollution: Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS Director

Delhi's poor air quality a result of anything but Diwali, BJP hits back at AAP minister

The BJP on Friday hit back at Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai for blaming the party for bursting of firecrackers by people on Diwali despite a ban, and alleged that the Arvind Kejriwal government has failed to curb air pollution.

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Poor air quality recorded at many places in Haryana & Punjab, a day after Diwali

Bad air quality was reported at many places in Haryana and Punjab on Friday following rampant bursting of firecrackers onDiwalinight.

Residents in many places, especially in the National Capital Region, woke up to a thick layer of smog.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the air quality index (AQI) of Faridabad (454), Gurugram (473), Sonipat (411), Rohtak (449), Hisar (421), recorded "severe" air quality on Friday morning. (PTI)

Delhi Police issued over 100 challans on Diwali for violation of Covid norms, other rules

The Delhi Police issued over 100 challans for violation of rules, including Covid norms, on the occasion ofDiwali, officials said on Friday.

With this, the total number of challans issued between April 19 last year and November 4 has increased to 3,15,093. Most of them were issued for the violation of masking rules, they said.

A total of 116 challans were issued onDiwalion Thursday. Out of them, 99 were issued for not wearing face masks, two for not maintaining social distancing, 14 for the consumption of liquor, pan, gutkha, tobacco etc. and one for spitting, according to data shared by police. (PTI)

Day after Diwali, Delhi records its poorest air quality in 5 years

Delhi recorded its poorest air quality in five years the day afterDiwaliwith a deadly cocktail of noxious fumes from firecrackers and stubble burning pushing the 24-average AQI to 462, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Friday.

The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) the day afterDiwaliwas 435 last year, 368 in 2019; 390 in 2018; 403 in 2017 and 445 in 2016. The AQI was 382 onDiwaliday this year, 414 in 2020; 337 in 2019; 281 in 2018; 319 in 2017 and 431 in 2016. (PTI)

US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden celebrate Diwali (PTI)

Cracker-burn cases pour in post-Diwali, 100 reported in government hospitals alone

At Least 100 cases of burn injuries were reported by various hospitals in the national capital thisDiwali, hospital sources said on Friday.

The Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital, which has the largest burn unit in the country, received 50 burn cases, of which 43 patients suffered minor burns (less than 20 per cent) and were treated as out-patients, while seven with major burns (more than 20 per cent) were admitted.

A total of 36 of these cases were inflicted by crackers and 14 by flames from earthen lamps. (PTI)

Amit Shah with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and BJP workers during a get-together on the occasion of Diwali, in Ahmedabad

Delhi's overall air quality in the 'severe' category

Border Security Force (BSF) personnel celebrate Diwali near the Indo-Bangladesh Border fence at Dangee in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal, Thursday night, November 4, 2021.

Credit: PTI Photo

Chhattisgarh CM gets 'whipped' as part of Diwali Govardhan puja ritual

Quieter Diwali for Mumbai this year as compared to 2020 despite more use of crackers, says NGO

Mumbai recorded a quieter Laxmi Pujan during this year's Diwali as compared to last year although the overall use of firecrackers was more than what it was during the festival in 2020 when several Covid-19 curbs were in place, an organisation said on Friday. It attributed the dip in the noise level to the use of "green firecrackers" that have lower decibel levels as compared to the traditional ones.

(PTI)

People burn firecrackers to celebrate Diwali festival, in New Delhi, Thursday, November 4, 2021.

(PTI)

Delhi reported lowest fire-related emergency calls in 15 years this Diwali

The Delhi Fire Service received 152 fire-related calls on Diwali, which was less than 25 per cent from last year and the lowest in the last 15 years. No major fire incident or casualty was reported, Director of Delhi Fire Service, Atul Garg, said, on Friday.

According to the fire department, fire-related calls go up usually on Diwali mainly due to bursting of firecrackers, not taking adequate precautions when lighting earthen lamps or candles and not checking for loose wires while putting up decoration lights and overloaded extension boards causing short-circuit.

"This is a very positive sign that fire calls have reduced on the day of Dilwali this year. This is the first time that we have recorded only 152 calls on Diwali, which is the lowest in last 15 years on the day of festival," Garg said.

(PTI)

Fireworks fill the night sky on Diwali, in Patna, Thursday, November 4, 2021.

(PTI)

Delhi's air quality deteriorated due to farm fires, bursting of firecrackers: Gopal Rai

Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday said that Delhi's air quality had deteriorated due to a surge in farm fires and some people bursting firecrackers on purpose on Diwali despite a ban on it.

He alleged that the BJP made people burst firecrackers on Diwali on Thursday.

Rai said Delhi's base pollution has remained the same. Only two factors have been added – firecrackers and stubble burning.

(PTI)

12 fires reported in Thane on Diwali night; no fatalities

(PTI)

Two dead, one injured in firecrackers explosion

Two persons were killed and another injured in an explosion of firecrackers during Diwali celebrations in Hyderabad, police said on Friday. The three, working at an idol-making unit, dug a pit, stuffed firecrackers inside and lit it on Thursday night, they said.

(PTI)

US President Biden, VP Harris send Diwali greetings to people across the world

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have sent Diwali greetings to the people across the world, saying the festival of lights, amidst the pandemic, carries a deeper meaning and reminds everyone that from darkness there is knowledge, wisdom and truth.

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Deepotsav 2021: Ayodhya lights 9 lakh diyas, sets world record

The Uttar Pradesh government has created a world record by lighting over nine lakh diyas in Ayodhya along the Saryu River on November 3. Apart from this, over three lakh diyas were lit separately at different places in the Hindu holy city.

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A sweeper cleans a street littered with burst firecrackers, a day after Diwali festival, in Gurugram, Friday.

(PTI)

Party's over: Diwali leaves Delhi wheezing in dangerously unhealthy air

The morning after Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, residents of New Delhi woke up under a blanket of toxic smog and breathed in the most dangerously polluted air of the year so far, after revellers, as usual, defied a fireworks ban.

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Thick layer of smog shrouds Delhi after Diwali celebration

Stock and forex markets are closed on Friday for 'Diwali Balipratipada'.

(PTI)

Women light earthen lamps on the occasion of Diwali, at the Ramchandra Ji temple in Jaipur.

(PTI)

Air quality remains 'very poor' in Delhi after Diwali

'Diwali storm' lights up high latitude regions

Indian astrophysicists on Thursday hit the bull's eye with their prediction of a "Diwali Storm" that lit up the polar and high latitude regions in spectacular displays of auroras triggered by a medium intensity solar flare.

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Around 152 fire calls received on Diwali till 12 am, and about 36 more fire calls post midnight: Fire Department

(ANI)

A replica of Ayodhya's Ram Temple made with 15 thousand clay lamps by RSS on the occasion of Diwali festival, at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai.

(PTI)

Delhi gasps for air as Diwali cracker ban goes up in smoke

The air in Delhi and surrounding areas hung heavy with acrid smoke as people burst firecrackers on Diwali in a blatant disregard to the government's ban on it amid a sharp increase in fumes from farm fires.

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After two years, Diwali crowds return to Bengaluru's shopping streets

Deepavali shoppers are finally returning to most of Bengaluru's business hubs after a gap of two years.

Commercial Street, Chickpet, Gandhi Bazaar, Jayanagar and Malleswaram have been witnessing a steady flow of festive shoppers with most businesses saying a majority of their customers have come back. The only exception is Brigade Road, where business hasn't moved beyond 20%.

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Arvind Kejriwal seeks Lord Ram's blessings on Diwali ahead of UP polls

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with his wife Sunita Kejriwal and Cabinet ministers performed Diwali Puja at Thyagaraj Stadium from a stage modelled on the upcoming Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

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Fireworks light the sky above Ain Dubai (the Dubai Eye), the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel, to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, in the Gulf emirate of Dubai, on November 4, 2021.

(AFP)

Diwali celebrated across India amid Covid curbs, restrictions on firecrackers

Buildings were decorated with earthen lamps and colourful lights while people, dressed in their finest, exchanged gifts on Diwali which was celebrated across India amid Covid curbs and restrictions on firecrackers in some states.

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Political leaders, prominent personalities greet Indians on Diwali

A slew of political leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and other prominent personalities took to social media on Thursday to extend their greetings to Indians celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights.

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A boy lights candles on a rangoli, or mural made out of coloured powders outside his home during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Karachi, Pakistan November 4, 2021.

(Reuters)