Diwali celebrations got underway in India on Monday, with millions of people lighting up their homes with oil lamps and decorative lights to celebrate the Hindu festival.
The “Festival of Lights” lasts for about five days and is celebrated most prominently in Northern India.
Even now, people of different religions including Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism join in the celebration of the victory of good over evil.
People often deep clean or paint their homes. Often people gather together and wear new clothes.
Families and friends share sweets called “mithai” and often dine together, this time of the weekend has proved to be a blessing for many.
The festival is also celebrated elsewhere in South Asia, notably in Hindu-majority Nepal, where it is largely known as “Tihar” and has gained increasing popularity among the Indian expatriate community in countries such as Malaysia and the US.
Schools and universities are also closed for the festive season, as are banks and government offices.
Debate erupts over bursting crackers on Diwali
But there is one aspect of this festival that has become increasingly political and that is the bursting of firecrackers.
Many people say that bursting of firecrackers increases the dense pollution in the capital Delhi every year during winter. Others say that this activity is part of the festival tradition.
India’s top court last week allowed the sale of green crackers, considered less polluting, with specific rules regarding the purchase and sale of firecrackers.
Bursting of firecrackers remains under a court-imposed ban in Delhi and surrounding cities since 2018 due to poor air quality every winter.
Indian PM meets naval personnel on Diwali
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indian Navy personnel aboard INS Vikrant off the coast of the western state of Goa.
Modi was welcomed onboard the ship with a musical performance, in which the personnel sang the song “The Vow of Sindoor” for him.
The song is a reference to India’s brief conflict with Pakistan in May in which New Delhi launched strikes in a campaign dubbed “Operation Vermillion”.
Modi praised India’s military in his Diwali address, saying, “The shine of the sun’s rays on the sea water is like the Diwali lamps lit by the brave soldiers.”
He said that the ship has given Pakistan sleepless nights.
Edited by: Sam Dusan Inayatullah