Diwali celebrated amid SC rules on bursting crackers
NEWDELHI:EARTHEN lamps dotted houses and lights decked up buildings as people celebrated Diwali amid some restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on bursting of firecrackers.
People visited their kith and kin, exchanged festive greetings and sweets while social media, including the likes of Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter, was flooded with Diwali messages as many took the virtual route to convey their wishes.
President Ram Nath Kovind has conveyed his greetings to the people, urging citizens to share the joy of the festival with the less privileged.
He also asked the people to celebrate a pollution-free and safe festival of lights.
“On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and around the world.
“This festival is an opportunity to foster fraternity and unity among all citizens. Deepawali guides us from darkness towards light. On this occasion let us spread and share our happiness with those who are less fortunate than us,” the president said in his Diwali message on Tuesday.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman celebrated the occasion with Army personnel in remote posts in Arunachal Pradesh near the Sino-india border.
In a tweet, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, said, “My best wishes to all Indians, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I wish you all peace & happiness.”
The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers exchanged sweets and greetings on the festival of lights at the Attari-wagah border in Punjab, officials said. The BSF gifted sweets to the Pakistani Rangers and it reciprocated the gesture.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday extended his good wishes to the Hindu community on the occasion of Diwali. “Wishing all our Hindu citizens a happy Diwali,” Khan tweeted.
AIR QUALITY POOR IN DELHI
In the national capital, the air quality on Diwali oscillated between “poor” and “very poor” categories as authorities warned of severe deterioration even if “partial toxic crackers” are burned compared to last year.
The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) recorded the overall air quality index at 319, which falls in “very poor” category.
The PM2.5 and PM10, or particles with diameter less than 2.5 and 10mm, in Delhi-ncr was 145 and 277.
The court has only allowed manufacture and sale of just the “green crackers” which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.