New Delhi: Diwali is being celebrated with full pomp across the country. People have decorated their homes with lights to celebrate the festival, shopkeepers also lit lamps in their establishments and the sound of firecrackers can also be heard from time to time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel in Naxal-free Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
PM Modi said in a post on social media platform 'X' in the morning, “I am going to Bastar to celebrate Diwali with our brave security forces.” He said that Bastar is an area where Naxalism was once dominant, but now development is flourishing there. “I am going to salute our brave security personnel for their sacrifice, selfless service and unwavering dedication towards the nation,” the Prime Minister said.
He had on Saturday wished the countrymen a happy Diwali and said that like previous years, he would celebrate the festival with the soldiers. The Prime Minister said in a video message, “Heartiest wishes to all of you on Diwali. I wish that the days to come bring peace, prosperity and happiness to all of your lives. Like you, I also celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm.
PM Modi met the President
Modi and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan met President Draupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday and wished her Diwali. Modi also praised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who spent time with drought-hit farmers in Nagpur on the occasion of Diwali. Fadnavis said that wiping tears from the eyes of farmers is the real Diwali for him.
Gandhi family's Diwali
Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi shared a video on Instagram, in which she recalled how she used to celebrate Diwali when her family lived at 1, Safdarjung Road, during Indira Gandhi's tenure as prime minister. Sitting in the garden of her house with her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and granddaughter Miraya Vadra, Sonia said that she loved Diwali and the celebrations in those days were very lovely. Sonia recalled how the idol of Lord Ganesha was decorated at the entrance, while lamps were lit along the pathways and on the rooftops of the house.
She tells her granddaughter that in those days people were very excited about firecrackers, and also tells that her favorite was 'Phuljhadi'. Sonia also recalled the blue skies and pleasant weather of this time of the year in 'those days'. Priyanka recalled how her father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, used to take her to Old Delhi to buy firecrackers. Sonia told that the family used to eat Kashmiri food during festivals.
CM Yogi celebrated Diwali
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Hanumangarhi and Ram temples. Gorakshpeethadhishwar Adityanath started his tour with prayers at Hanumangarhi temple. On reaching the temple, the saints and priests welcomed him with slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram'. Yogi Adityanath then reached Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex, where he had darshan of Ramlala.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extended Diwali greetings to the people of the Union Territory as well as all those celebrating the festival in the country and abroad. The famous clock tower located at Lal Chowk in Srinagar was illuminated with thousands of lamps. A large number of tourists and local people gathered here to celebrate Diwali and lit lamps. Local Hindus and Muslims also took part in Diwali celebrations by bursting firecrackers. Ankush Chatterjee, a tourist from Kolkata, said, “We are very happy to celebrate Diwali in Kashmir. The atmosphere here is very good.
Delhi Police has stepped up surveillance to ensure compliance with the ban on firecrackers in the national capital, while the fire department has implemented a comprehensive emergency response plan to deal with fire incidents. All district police units, special cells and units working in the area have been instructed to maintain strict vigil, especially in crowded markets, residential areas and other sensitive places, an official said.
Supreme Court order regarding firecrackers
As per Supreme Court directions, only certified 'green' crackers can be burnt on Diwali. These can be broken only between 6 am and 7 am in the morning and between 8 pm and 10 pm at night. Delhi's air quality was in the 'very poor' category on Sunday, and is likely to worsen as the day progresses. The average air quality index (AQI) at the beginning of the day was 376, which falls in the 'very poor' category. A dense layer of fog covered the city, reducing visibility. Due to Diwali celebrations, vehicular smoke and extreme weather like stubble burning, the air quality is expected to reach 'severe' category on Monday.