Digital Diwali sheds light on celebrations
new delhi — Fireworks became lesser intense, losing some of its sheen and sound to e-crackers, flickering earthen lamps dotted walls and lights illuminated houses and offices, as India celebrated Diwali on Thursday with traditional fervour — and a modern outlook.
As people across the country came together to celebrate the festival of lights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat joined the Armed Forces on the occasion.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani of the border state of Gujarat also joined BSF jawans at the border outpost near Lakhpat in Kutch district to celebrate the festival.
Diwali celebrates the return of deity Rama to Ayodhya from his 14-year exile after vanquishing demon-king Ravana.
Besides sweets, people also exchanged funny social media memes and GIFs on the occasion as some made calls for a ‘Digital Diwali’— mindful probably of air pollution resulting from bursting of firecrackers.
District inspector of schools in Nodia PK Upadhyay said one can experience the delight of bursting firecrackers digitally on mobile phones, laptops, and large screens.
Shopping malls, too, should display crackers digitally through sound and light technology, he suggested. The Supreme Court recently banned the sale of firecrackers in the Delhi and National Capital Region till October 31 to curb the pollution caused by bursting them.
Many took to the social media to say the celebrations this year was “peaceful” and “lesser noisy”.
In Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, the festival passed off peacefully as in other states, even as incessant rains dampened the spirit to some extent in eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha. The Golden temple at Amritsar was illuminated on the occasion. The festival was celebrated with fervour across the Jammu region including the areas close to the LoC and International Border.
Bollywood celebrities, including legends Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar and Dilip Kumar, sent out their good wishes to fans around the globe.
“Diwali greetings begin in huge abundance...and we work ...just so all the family can breathe peacefully,” Bachchan posted on Twitter.
Urging fans to light at least one diya for the Army, actor Akshay Kumar wrote, “We are, because they (the soldiers) are.” — PTI