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VIRUDHUNAGAR: The death toll in the firecracker accident rose to nine on Wednesday with 45-year-old Lingasami of Sevvalpatti near Sattur, succumbing to burns at the Sivakasi Government Hospital. Several other workers of Gokulesh Fireworks in Chinnakamanpatti continue to undergo treatment for burn injuries at various hospitals. Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police (SP) D Kannan faced criticism after he warned families of victims who were staging a protest on the Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital premises demanding more compensation. Even as officials held talks with them, a heated exchange broke out. SP Kannan, during the argument, was heard allegedly saying, "You must behave properly. If you keep shouting slogans, things will take a different turn." His remarks drew strong backlash from the crowd, with protesters responding, "What do you mean by different turn? Will you shoot us? Go ahead and shoot." Later in the day, Virudhunagar police issued a press release stating that the officials had warned the protesters in order to prevent disturbance to other patients in the hospital. The release added that the protest affected the movement of ambulances.
Kolkata: Cracker violations have turned out to be a concern in various pockets of the city on Dhanteras (Saturday), barely two days ahead of Kali Puja and Diwali. These violations have been reported from Kasba, Dhakuria, Baguiati, New Town, Salt Lake, Phoolbagan and New Alipore. The seizures of illegal firecrackers had become more than double in the past 48 hours, police said on Saturday. The cops will intensify the crackdown on firecracker violators on the day of Diwali (Monday) by forming special teams to raid the city. "In case of use of banned crackers, we may not provide bail from police ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India trialled cloud seeding over its smog-filled capital for the first time, spraying a chemical from an aeroplane to encourage rain and wash deadly particles out of the air. Cloud seeding is the practice of using aeroplanes to fire salt or other chemicals into clouds to induce rain. New Delhi city authorities, working with the government's Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, launched a test run on Thursday (Oct 23) afternoon using a Cessna light aeroplane over the city's norther ...Read More >
Content creator Sam Pepper was banned from livestreaming platforms Pump.fun and Kick after sending a young teen to the hospital in New Delhi, India, by hitting them in the face with a firework while live. Pepper and his friends had been firing Roman candle-style fireworks at each other during the Diwali festival, with locals joining in on the chaos. Any enjoyment quickly turned sour when the British influencer directly hit a local young teen in the face with a firework. "Oh my god! Oh my god, h ...Read More >
New Delhi: Supreme Court's move to ease the ban on firecrackers is largely seen as a festive allowance, but some Delhiites are planning to illuminate homes and hearts, not skies. They plan to replace fireworks with earthen lamps, lanterns and shared meals at community gatherings.The shift from smoke to light, which reflects a growing awareness that Diwali joy needn't be at the cost of the city's air and its residents' health, is palpable in several neighbourhoods. Locals in Greater Kailash-II have embraced the idea of a quiet Diwali over the years. "We have got used to meeting at the park and ...Read More >
India's top court on Wednesday permitted the use of some firecrackers in New Delhi during the Diwali festival, easing a blanket ban even as the capital battles unhealthy winter air pollution. The Supreme Court said the controlled use of the less-polluting "green firecrackers" -- developed by federal research institutes to reduce particulate and gas emission -- would be allowed for limited periods between Saturday and Tuesday. During Diwali, a major Hindu festival of lights, widespread bursting ...Read More >
Visakhapatnam: Compared to the previous year, firecrackers have become costlier this time. The festival of lights gains larger significance at households where children come together to celebrate. Irrespective of the community and religion, people from across sections celebrate Diwali in the world. The sale of fireworks commenced on Saturday in Visakhapatnam. The district administration granted permission to set up stalls for the purpose at various places, including Andhra University Grounds, Gopalapatnam, Pendurthi, Sheelanagar, Gajuwaka, Malkapuram and other areas. Last year, those who visi ...Read More >
Nagpur: Diwali night was hectic for Nagpur's fire and emergency services department as firecrackers triggered a series of blaze calls across the city, keeping all fire stations on continuous duty. Out of 16 fire-related calls received in less than 10 hours, 11 were reported within a five-hour window on October 21 -- between 7pm and midnight -- stretching the city's firefighting network to its limits.The first call came around 7.05pm, marking the start of a long night for fire personnel. The blaze was reported inside the market committee office near Rahul Hotel in Ganeshpeth, and it took nearly ...Read More >
At least seven people have been reported dead after another body was pulled out from the rubble of an explosion that ripped through a firecracker factory in Hyderabad a day earlier, it emerged on Sunday. Rescue officials confirmed to Dawn the recovery of one more body from the rubble, which was pulled out late on Saturday. On Saturday, a statement from the Rescue 1122 spokesperson said that "a powerful explosion was reported in a firecracker factory on the banks of the Laghari Goth river, Latif ...Read More >
Challapalli (Andhra Pradesh), Mar 31 (PTI) Six police personnel were injured in an explosion at a police station here in Krishna district on Tuesday while shifting the seized firecrackers for disposal as per court orders, a police official said. The police had conducted a special drive against unauthorised firecracker storage units and seized large quantities of explosives, which were stored safely at an external facility at the police station. "We had seized unauthorised firecrackers during a special drive and stored them securely. While taking them out today for disposal following court or ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (AP) -- Thick smog blanketed India's capital on Tuesday, a day after millions celebrated the Hindu festival of Diwali with fireworks that sent air pollution levels soaring to hazardous levels across the city. Revelers in New Delhi burst firecrackers late into Monday night, filling the air with smoke and fine particles that mixed with seasonal pollution and stagnant weather conditions. By Tuesday morning, the city's Air Quality Index had climbed above 350 in several neighborhoods, a level considered "severe" and dangerous to breathe, according to the World Health Organization's daily ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: A thick blanket of smog engulfed Bhubaneswar following Diwali celebrations as the air quality levels plummeted last evening, reducing visibility to 500 metres by 9.30 pm. The air quality in the city plunged into the "severe" category, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 657 at 7 pm. According to CPCB, the AQI in the state capital was at a 'satisfactory' 54 at 4 pm. Areas like Rasulgarh, Baramunda and Patia were covered with firecracker smoke and rising particulates, making it difficult for commuters to drive safely as visibility on roads dropped to barely 20 metre ...Read More >
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 18 (MExN): The Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, has issued an advisory cautioning citizens against the use of banned firecrackers during the upcoming festive season and appealed to all residents to celebrate in an eco-friendly and responsible manner. The advisory stated that bursting of firecrackers is not only environmentally hazardous but also causes significant stress, fear, and other health-related issues in both humans and animals due to loud explosions and toxic gases. As per the guidelines, fireworks will be permitted strictly between 8 PM and 10 PM on Diwali and othe ...Read More >
New Delhi and its sprawling metropolitan region -- home to more than 30 million people -- are regularly ranked among the world's most polluted capitals, with acrid smog blanketing the skyline each winter. Cooler air traps pollutants close to the ground, creating a deadly mix of emissions from crop burning, factories and heavy traffic. But pollution has also spiked due to days of fireworks set off to mark Diwali, the major Hindu festival of lights, which culminates on Monday night. The Supreme Court relaxed this month a blanket ban on fireworks over Diwali to allow the use of the less-pollut ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (AP) - Millions of Indians celebrated Diwali on Monday as lamps illuminated homes and streets across the country to mark the Hindu festival symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. Diwali, derived from the word "Deepavali," meaning "a row of lights," is typically celebrated by socializing and exchanging gifts. The dates of the festival are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, typically falling in late October or early November. Shoppers crowded markets to buy flowers, lanterns and candles. The celebrations were most visible in Ayodhya city in Uttar Pradesh state. Hindus belie ...Read More >
Delhi's air quality data manipulation allegations surface after Diwali. Aam Aadmi Party claims government agencies conspired to alter pollution readings. Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa asserts Diwali's impact is minimal. He accuses AAP of communalizing the issue and scapegoating Hindus. Sirsa presents comparative data to support his claims, highlighting systemic issues over festival celebrations. Delhi Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President Saurabh Bhardwaj on Wednesday all ...Read More >
NOIDA: A day after Diwali, the air in Gautam Budh Nagar continued to remain toxic, showing no significant improvement despite a visible decline in festive fireworks. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI on Tuesday stood at 320 in Noida and 282 in Greater Noida. Data from the past two days revealed little change - Noida's AQI was 325 on Monday and 320 on Sunday, while Greater Noida recorded 282 and 287, respectively. The district's air had already turned foul even before the first sparkler was lit. The comparison with past years only highlighted the decline. In 202 ...Read More >
BENGALURU: BBMP marshals deployed at lake security and supervision wing, ward monitoring and Indira Canteens are working without salaries since March. The situation has arisen after Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited was carved out of BBMP for garbage management. Their salaries are usually given through the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Society and each marshal is paid Rs 17,500 monthly. "Supervisors say the delay is due to a set of procedures. Earlier, the amount was given to the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Society towards payments from BBMP. Now the files have to be cleared from BWSML to ward mars ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said the government plans to approach the Supreme Court to seek permission to allow the use of certified green firecrackers to celebrate Diwali in the national Capital. Reiterating the government's commitment towards taking measures to check air pollution in the city, CM Gupta said, "It will also be ensured that all green firecrackers are manufactured only by authorised institutions and have been certified and tested by competent and relevant departments." "The government believes that a balance between public sentiments and environmental ...Read More >
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 17 (ANI): With the Diwali festival just around the corner, the firecracker market is all set to light up Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal with vibrant colors, sparkling displays, and the growing demand for eco-friendly green fireworks. Firecracker shop owners in Bhopal's biggest market, Bairagarh have fully prepared them for the festive season by observing complete precaution and safety measures. The Fire Control team also inspected the market on Friday and gave necessary instructions to them. Former President of Bairagarh's Wholesale Fireworks Sellers ...Read More >
Hyderabad: With Diwali around the corner, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) across Hyderabad are tightening regulations on firecracker use to ensure a cleaner, quieter festival.Notices issued to residents this week permit only eco-friendly "green crackers" and restrict their use to a one-and-a-half-hour window in the evening. Several RWAs have also banned high-decibel and aerial fireworks, citing health and safety concerns for children, senior citizens, and pets in the city.Speaking to TOI, Sai Ravi Shankar, president of the Federation of Gated Communities, Cyberabad, explained, "We have st ...Read More >
Ahmedabad: Ahead of Diwali festival, the city police on Tuesday issued a notification with regard to the sale and use of only green firecrackers within Ahmedabad limits from Oct 19 to Nov 5. The order, signed by police commissioner G S Malik under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and provisions of the Gujarat Police Act, follows Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal directives aimed at reducing air and noise pollution.The order states that only firecrackers certif ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Despite the govt's push for eco-friendly celebrations, Hyderabad's festive markets are buzzing with familiar sights and sounds. Green crackers, marketed as cleaner, safer alternatives, are seeing an uptick in sales, but traditional fireworks continue to dominate as customers cling to nostalgia and the thrill of noise and sparkle."At least 60%-70% of my customers ask for the old favourites -- rockets, atom bombs, and chakris," said Ramesh Gupta, a fireworks dealer at Begum Bazar. "People ask about green crackers, but buy the regular ones once they see the difference in sound and spar ...Read More >
NEW DELHI -- Thick smog blanketed India's capital Tuesday, a day after millions celebrated the Hindu festival of Diwali with fireworks that sent air pollution soaring to hazardous levels. Revelers in New Delhi burst firecrackers late into Monday night, filling the air with smoke and fine particles that mixed with seasonal pollution and stagnant weather conditions. By Tuesday morning, the city's Air Quality Index had climbed above 350 in several neighborhoods, a level considered "severe" and dangerous to breathe, according to the World Health Organization's daily recommended maximum exposure. ...Read More >
ROURKELA: In a biggest ever crackdown on unauthorised storage of firecrackers, Birmitrapur police along with a special squad on Monday night unearthed a massive haul of illegal crackers worth around Rs 90 lakh from three locations of Birmitrapur town in Sundargarh district. Such was the seizure that it took 17 mini-trucks, tractor-trollies and pick-up vans to shift the contrabands to the police custody. Acting on a tip-off regarding illegal storage of firecrackers in unsafe conditions, joint raids were conducted in which two godowns taken on rent by Vicky Tekriwal (35) and another residential ...Read More >
The agency said that they have arrested a key person in the case and questioned him to get leads on others involved in the illegal import of Chinese-origin fireworks into India. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted a 40 feet container at Nhava Sheva port in Navi Mumbai on Sunday and seized Chinese-origin firecrackers and fireworks worth Rs 4.82 crore. The agency said that they have arrested a key person in the case and questioned him to get leads on others involved in the i ...Read More >
Kolkata: Many residents of the city went the extra mile to celebrate Diwali in a green way, sparing a thought for the environment. From creating colourful rangolis and planting saplings indoors to adhering to the use of green fireworks, these residents opted for eco-friendly celebrations this Diwali.Hazra resident Arushi Bhattacharya planted saplings in her window sills to keep the polluting air at bay as far as possible. She said: "I am unable to open the windows because of crackers' pollution on the road. For a green Diwali, I stopped using incense sticks and traditional diyas. Rather, I am ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned why the firecracker ban was imposed only in Delhi-NCR, stressing that clean air is a right for all citizens, not just the "elite" in the capital. The bench sought a nationwide policy, asked the Centre for a report, discussed "green crackers," and ordered status quo on license cancellations until September 22. The Supreme Court on Thursday raised pointed questions over the selective imposition of the firecracker ban in the Delhi-NCR region, saying if clean ...Read More >
A Supreme Court order permitting green cracker sales in Delhi-NCR may lead to a 40% increase in families bursting firecrackers this Diwali. A study indicates 34% of surveyed families plan to burst crackers, with half potentially using regular ones alongside green options. This relaxation raises concerns about regular fireworks making a comeback despite environmental restrictions. The Supreme Court order, allowing the sale and bursting of green crackers in Delhi-NCR region, may increase the numbe ...Read More >
Kolkata: Bidhannagar police have prohibited residents from accessing terraces and rooftops of high-rises in New Town, Rajarhat, Salt Lake, Lake Town, and areas near Kolkata airport after sundown from Sunday to Thursday. The measure has been taken so that the residents can't release sky lanterns and burst crackers during Diwali.Local police stations have sent letters to residents' welfare associations to ensure no one is allowed on the rooftops from 5 pm onwards between Oct 19 and Oct 23. "Requests made to RWAs to stop residents from bursting and burning crackers from terraces haven't yielded p ...Read More >
CHENNAI: With Deepavali approaching, doctors have urged the public to take extra precaution while handling fireworks to avoid eye injuries. Experts say improper handling often leads to accidents, with eyes being one of the most affected areas. According to Dr S Soundari, regional head of clinical services, Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai, most injuries reported during the festive season have a direct impact on the eyes. "Eyes are the second most affected area after hands and fingers. Many ocular injuries occur due to sparklers, bombs and 'chakra' crackers," she said. She added that more ...Read More >