India Illuminated with Diyas, Delhi Chokes on Pollution; PM Celebrates Diwali with Navy

Diwali Celebration Across the Country: On Monday, on the holy festival of Diwali, people gathered in temples across the country and celebrated the festival with great pomp. Buildings were decorated with colorful lights, while earthen lamps were lit in homes. Following the Supreme Court's decision to allow controlled use of eco-friendly green firecrackers in Delhi and NCR, crackers were burst in abundance in the national capital.

Prime Minister's greetings and celebration with the Navy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while wishing the people, said, "May this festival of lights illuminate our lives with harmony, happiness, and prosperity." "The glow of the sea is like lamps, lit by the brave soldiers," he said while celebrating Diwali with naval personnel on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa. On Monday morning he participated in a yoga session on deck, watched the steam past and flypast of warships, and distributed sweets to the sailors. Later, he met President Draupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi and extended his good wishes.

Congratulations to the President and Vice President

President Murmu posted on Twitter, "Greetings to all Indians in India and abroad on the auspicious occasion of Diwali." Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also met the president and congratulated him.

Rahul Gandhi's unique celebration

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, shared a video of him making imarti and gram flour laddu at Ghantawala sweet shop in Old Delhi. He asked people, "How are you making Diwali special?"

Pollution in Delhi and CM's appeal

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta appealed for the use of green firecrackers and pollution control. The air quality index reached 345, which is in the 'very poor' category. It is likely to remain in the 'severe' category on Tuesday-Wednesday.

Regional festival

Goa: The festival started with Narakasura Dahan.
Rajasthan: At the Govind Dev Ji temple, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma appealed for eco-friendly celebrations.
Varanasi-Ayodhya: Kashi Vishwanath and Hanumangarhi temples decorated, Muslim women performed Ram Aarti.
Haryana: Police distributed sweets in orphanages and old age homes.
West Bengal: Devotees gathered in temples for Kali Puja.
Jharkhand: Firecrackers allowed till 8-10 pm.
Tripura: The fair begins at Maa Tripura Sundari Temple.
Tamil Nadu: Crackers burst at 6-7 pm and 7-8 pm amid rain; 89 people were injured.

This festival of Diwali brought the message of unity and light across the country.