Diwali festivities sparkle across the country despite air quality concerns
DIMAPUR — The Raj Bhavan in Kohima was bathed in the warm glow of diyas (earthen lamps) and colourful lights on Thursday in celebration of Diwali—the Hindu festival of lights signifying the triumph of good over evil.
“Diwali was celebrated with much festive fervour at Raj Bhavan, Kohima, on October 31, 2024, bringing together officers, staff of Raj Bhavan along with their families as well as members of the Nepali community from Old Minister’s Hill Kohima,” informed a Raj Bhavan press release on Thursday night.
Joining the celebrations, Governor La Ganesan expressed admiration for the impressive display and the spirit with which Diwali is being celebrated.
“In a message marking the occasion, the Governor expressed that Diwali can be a community function with participation from all sections of the society irrespective of their religious beliefs since the festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil.
“The event underscored the spirit of unity and shared cultural heritage among attendees,” it stated.
Elsewhere across the country, colourful lights decked up buildings and diyas dotted houses as people across the country celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm.
In the national capital, the air quality continued to deteriorate, remaining in the ‘very poor’ category, with levels expected to worsen to the ‘severe’ category due to bursting of firecrackers at night.
Keeping up his tradition of celebrating the festival with soldiers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sir Creek near the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat’s Kutch district and offered sweets to jawans.
Modi said India cannot compromise on even an “inch” of land on its borders, adding the people believe in the strength of its armed forces for defending the country.
“In the past, attempts were made to turn this region into a battlefield. The enemy has set its eyes on this region for a long time. But we are not worried as you are guarding the nation. Our enemy also knows it well,” he asserted.
“People of India feel their country is safe because of you; when the world sees you, it sees India’s strength, when enemies see you, they see the end of their sinister plans,” the prime minister said, addressing personnel of the Border Security Force, Army, Navy and Air Force.
He also said that “we see the Army, Navy and Air Force as different entities, but their strength will increase manifold when they come together.”
As the country is moving fast towards the goal of developed India, “you all are protectors of this dream,” Modi told the soldiers.
One of the most popular Hindu festivals, Diwali is associated with the day Lord Ram is believed to have returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after defeating demon king Ravana during his 14 years in exile. The festival is seen as a celebration of the victory of good over evil.
Dressed in traditional attire, people greeted each other, exchanged sweets and gifts, and visited temples.
The celebrations across the country were largely incident free. However, in Uttar Pradesh, six people, including four of a family, were killed when a tempo they were travelling in was hit by a tractor in the Mujaria area of Budaun, police said. The victims, who worked as vegetable vendors in Noida, were returning home to celebrate Diwali.
In Andhra Pradesh, a man died after the firecrackers he was carrying on a two-wheeler exploded in Eluru town, police said.
In the national capital, Delhiites woke up to a sky shrouded in a thick layer of smog. The air in Anand Vihar, a major terminus, was extremely polluted with the AQI in the “severe” category.
The city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 328 at 4 pm, up from 307 on Wednesday when the city celebrated Chhoti Diwali.
In 2023, Delhi residents enjoyed clearer skies and abundant sunshine on Diwali, with an AQI of 218.
In accordance with the practice of the past four years, Delhi has announced a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, storage, sale and the use of firecrackers in the city.
In Rajasthan, the festival of light was celebrated with great enthusiasm. Markets were vibrant and bustling until late Wednesday night with people flocking to buy new clothes, sweets, firecrackers and other festive items.
According to mythology, Lord Ram spent the better part of his 14-year exile at Chitrakoot, located on the banks of the Mandakini river.
Devotees took a dip in the river and performed `deep-daan’ ceremony.
In the coastal state of Goa, the celebrations took off after the burning of Narakasur demon effigies in the early hours.
As per traditions, the effigies were taken around before they were burnt to mark the victory of good over evil.
