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Chandigarh: In the village of Maloya, an 80-yr-old woman sits in the "mitti", holding freshly painted red diyas, tiny oil lamps that will soon light up homes during Diwali, in her hand, sponging them with sparkling golden paint on the border.About a 50 houses in Gawala colony of Maloya are involved in the business of making diyas, stands, pots, depending on the demand of seasons. "We used to live in Sector 25 earlier, but due to the pollution caused by the furnace, we were relocated to the outskirts of the city," says Joginder Kumar, 38, who took over the business from his parents 17 years ago. Now his entire family of seven is involved in the process. Mud used for making diyas comes from Punjab, which is then left to soak. On the wheel, the earthy smell diffuses with the potter's hands, covered in mud, sweat trickling down the brow. The potter sits from 7 in the morning to 8 at night, making an average of 3,000-5,000 diyas a day in peak season. But the process doesn't end there, the diyas are then baked in a furnace which takes up to three days. After that, the diyas are painted, decorated and made pretty. All diyas are made on demand, expect for occasions such as Diwali where the potters set up their stalls for three days in the markets of Chandigarh. Though competition increases with e-commerce and Chinese items in the market, the potters get enough orders of traditional Diwali diyas. Rampal Verma, 50, says, "After Ram Mandir was built, local demand for diya has risen. We get orders from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh." Young members of these families also play a crucial role. Arti Verma, 19, started helping her family at the age of 13. She is a BA student but takes out time to help her family during peak season. She says, "Once Diwali ends, demand for traditional piggy banks will go up. In winters, work stops but with Holi approaching, it picks up again." Simran, 25, who helps her father make diyas and then paint them, says, "In our country, something or the other is always up, so we are never out of work. People my age have got their degrees but haven't stopped contributing to the family's work." As Diwali draws near, the narrow lanes of Maloya come alive with the rhythm of the potter's wheel, the scent of wet clay, and the pride of generations keeping a tradition alive.
Amaravati, Sep 26 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K Vijayanand on Friday directed district collectors to launch a month-long awareness campaign on the benefits of GST 2.0 reforms. Addressing a video conference with district collectors at the state secretariat, Vijayanand discussed GST reforms awareness, seasonal conditions, renewable energy projects, and land-related issues. "District collectors should organise a month-long awareness campaign to create widespread understanding among the pu ...Read More >
Amazon India has expanded its Amazon Fresh grocery service to more than 270 cities across the country during the Amazon Great Indian Festival 2025. The service, which includes delivery of fresh produce, groceries and household items, has been extended to smaller cities such as Gorakhpur, Dehradun, Jalandhar and Coimbatore. The Amazon Fresh platform connects 13,000 registered farmers directly with consumers through a farm-to-home delivery system. Products undergo a four-step quality assurance p ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], September 29: This Diwali, OyeGifts, a leading name in the gifting industry, brings to you exceptional express Diwali hampers that are truly a celebration of tradition and that of thoughtful gifting. The inclusion of fresh flowers amidst gifts for the season of lights, is a careful blend of convention with that of modern elegance for the matter. The brand's new collection of Gift Hampers for the upcoming festival is to present an assortment of traditional sweets, colourful flow ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday offered the indigenous Akash air defence missile system to Brazil, even as the two countries decided to bolster their defence cooperation as well as explore opportunities for co-development and co-production of weapon systems and platforms.The progress of ongoing defence-related bilateral initiatives, with identification of priority areas for joint work, was reviewed in the meeting between defence minister Rajnath Singh and visiting Brazilian vice president Geraldo A ...Read More >
New Delhi: Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday said the city was ready to carry out cloud seeding. A four-day flight trial has been completed by two pilots who will execute the operation in northwest Delhi and they are awaiting IMD's green signal to induce artificial rain, he added."Our special aircraft is stationed at Meerut. The pilots completed four successful trial flights over the target area. We are simply waiting for the right cloud conditions and India Meteorological D ...Read More >
New Delhi: Deteriorating further, the city's air quality worsened within the poor category on Wednesday, even as the pollution models indicated that the air quality index would turn very poor even before Diwali.The average AQI was 233 at 4pm against 211 on Tuesday. According to weather analysts, while the mornings are likely to turn misty or foggy and winds calmer, the share of stubble burning to the city's PM2.5 levels is expected to rise from less than 1% to over 4% by Friday. This may lead to AQI deteriorating faster than expected, they added. AQI between 301 to 400 is considered very poor ...Read More >
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced several pre-election promises targeting auto drivers. These include a ₹10 lakh insurance policy, ₹1 lakh for daughters' marriages, a biannual ₹2,500 uniform allowance, free coaching for their children, and the relaunch of the 'PoochO' ride-booking app. Kejriwal and the AAP are campaigning to secure a third term in the upcoming February elections.Ahead of crucial Delhi assembly polls, Arvind Kejriwal promised several measures for auto dri ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the state govt was consistently working to provide better resources to the doctors and quality healthcare services to the citizens.He mentioned that medical colleges were being established in every district.While there were only six medical colleges in 2014, the number has now increased to 15, and nine new colleges are under construction. As a result, MBBS seats in the state increased from 700 in 2014 to 2,185, at present. The state govt aims to increase the MBBS seats to over 3,400 by 2029, said Saini.The CM was addressing a ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: After four days of relentless downpours, Telangana is expected to have a brief respite on Monday, with no rainfall alerts issued. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed the state under a yellow alert for thunderstorms. IMD data showed that Papannapet in Medak district received the heaviest 24-hour rainfall at 10.6 cm, followed by Manoor in Sangareddy with 9.28 cm and Nallabelly in Warangal at 9.15 cm. The statewide average rainfall for the day stood at 7.3 mm, notably higher than the normal 4.3 mm. Warangal's Sangem recorded the day's highest maximum temperature ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Gifting stores across the city have seen a sharp drop in corporate Diwali orders this year, with companies slashing budgets and scaling down on festive spending. Retailers report that while the season remains busy, the mood is far more restrained compared to previous years.Traditional favourites such as sweets, diyas, and dry fruits continue to find a place in corporate hampers, but in smaller quantities. Silver coins, once a Diwali staple in bulk orders, almost disappeared this year. "Silver coins and premium dry fruit assortments used to be the highlight of most corporate hampers. ...Read More >
Delhi residents breathed easier Thursday as air quality improved to 'moderate' after a month of severe pollution. The AQI dropped to 161, though some areas still experienced 'poor' air quality. Cooler temperatures and mist accompanied the improved air, with the minimum temperature reaching 9 degrees Celsius. The Supreme Court maintained GRAP-IV restrictions, demanding compensation for construction workers from NCR states.Residents in Delhi took a sigh of relief on Thursday as the air quality inde ...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 >
New Delhi, Oct 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian experts on Thursday shared some professional tips to capture diyas and candles beautifully on the iPhone 17 series, without blowing out the highlights this Diwali. Photographer Bobby Roy said the Night Mode in iPhone 17 series is one of the best tools to achieve that. "With 48MP HEIF MAX, try to bring out the fine textures of lights, and festive decor by using the best quality that the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max provides. You can surely use the Portrait mode for that perfect for soft, cinematic moments and pooja portraits," he advised. Also, use the beau ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
A prominent Indian tech firm has gone viral for its generous Diwali gift to employees. Videos from Info Edge employees have flooded Instagram over the last two days, showing the Diwali gifts they received from the company. Each Info Edge employee received a set of VIP suitcases, a box of snacks, and a diya from the tech firm. Dozens of videos showing the gifts have surfaced online, while hundreds of Instagram users have reported seeing these Reels while casually scrolling the photo and video sha ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday announced revised train timings for Diwali, with early morning services on the eve of the festival and curtailed operations on the night of Diwali. As per the announcement, on the eve of Diwali, Sunday (October 19), metro services on the Pink, Magenta, and Grey lines will commence at 6 am instead of the usual 7 am, which is the standard start time for Sundays. The change has been implemented to accommodate the anticipated increase in passenger movement ahead of the festival. Also Read | Diwali 2025 Bank ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 18 (PTI) Ahead of Diwali, authorities have issued 103 temporary licenses for the retail sale of NEERI-approved green firecrackers at designated locations across the city till Saturday, officials said. The district authorities, in collaboration with Delhi Police, have formed patrolling teams headed by area sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to ensure full compliance with the Supreme Court's guidelines regarding the sale and use of approved firecrackers, officials added. A total of 159 applications were submitted for temporary licenses to sell green firecrackers. Of these, 103 ha ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that with cleanliness and yoga, the country will move towards realising the dream of 'Viksit Bharat' at a fast pace. Preparations for International Yoga Day 2025 have begun with the launch of a cleanliness campaign on May 27, and daily yoga classes are underway for the grand event on June 21. CM Saini said, 'When Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of Yoga at the United Nations, 177 countries agreed. Today, Yoga, derived from our land, has reached everyone globally. The Prime Minister has worked to spre ...Read More >
Meanwhile, Delhi experienced partially cloudy skies on Friday, with no rainfall recorded. (File) ShowQuick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed * Rainfall and winds helped Delhi avoid a sharp pollution rise after Dussehra celebrations * Delhi's 24-hour average AQI was 88 on Friday, categorised as satisfactory * Post-Dussehra pollution spikes have been common, with AQI exceeding 200 in recent years Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Switch To Beeps Mode New Delhit: A combin ...Read More >
Stage I of GRAP is implemented when the AQI exceeds 200. Stage II (Very Poor) comes into effect when it crosses 300, Stage III (Severe) at levels above 350, and Stage IV (Severe Plus) when the AQI goes beyond 400. New Delhi: Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the 'poor' category for the first time this season with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 211 on Tuesday ahead of Diwali. It forced Commission for Air Quality Management to impose stage I of Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) in Delhi-NCR. The ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi Assembly complex on Friday came alive with festive decorations and celebrations as Speaker Vijender Gupta extended Diwali wishes and urged people to celebrate the festival in an environment-friendly manner. Gupta said that Diwali is a festival that celebrates light, goodness, and new beginnings -- and it should also inspire responsibility towards our environment and society. He emphasised that while the city shines with festive lights, every citizen must ensure that the celebrations do not add to Delhi's pollution crisis. "This Diwali, let us ill ...Read More >
India's Diwali sales hit a record high of Rs 5.40 lakh crore in goods and Rs 65,000 crore in services. This represents a 25 percent increase over last year. GST reforms and strong consumer demand fueled this growth. Brick-and-mortar stores saw a significant revival. Rural and semi-urban areas contributed substantially to the sales surge. Buoyed by GST reforms and strong consumer demand, India saw Diwali sales reach Rs 5.40 lakh crore in goods and about Rs 65,000 crore in services across the coun ...Read More >
New Delhi : Good news for Biharis living outside the state -- celebrating festivals with family back home will now be easier. In a major move aimed at easing travel during festive seasons, the Bihar government has announced the launch of 299 AC and non-AC special buses. These buses will operate from key states, including Delhi, to various destinations across Bihar. A Heartfelt Desire to Celebrate with Loved Ones During major festivals like Holi, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, people from Bihar living across India yearn to return to their ancestral homes. However, due to limited availability of tra ...Read More >
Lucknow: Adding a green touch to Diwali celebrations, the LMC will sell over 30,000 eco-friendly Gomai (cow dung) diyas and Ganesh-Lakshmi idols made from cow dung this festive season.The diyas, crafted at Kanha Upvan, will be available in packs of 4, 10, 20, and 300 from Oct 15. According to LMC's animal welfare officer Abhinav Verma: "The civic body aims to exceed last year's sale through its Kanji Houses located in Thakurganj, Rae Bareli Road (PGI campus), Sugamau Road (Jarhara, Indira Nagar), ...Read More >
The villagers in Sammoo, about 25 km from the district headquarters, at the most are allowed to light diyas, but there is a tacit understanding against the bursting of crackers and indulge in extravagance. Any deviation from the norm forbodes a disaster, locals say. According to the villagers, a few hundred years ago, a pregnant woman was preparing for Diwali when the body of her husband, a soldier in the local king's army, was brought home. Disraught, the woman threw herself into the man's crem ...Read More >
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 30: As the festive spirit builds across the state, families are preparing their homes for Dussehra with vibrant decor, pujas, and gatherings. While lighting diyas, cooking festive meals, and hosting loved ones bring joy, these activities can also contribute to rising indoor pollution, especially in urban homes. This year, Dussehra offers on electronics are helping families make smarter, health-focused choices. Many are opting to buy air purifiers on Dussehra sale, making the most of festive season EMI deals now live across Bajaj Finserv partner sto ...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 >
Dhanteras trade in India is expected to surge past Rs 1 lakh crore. Gold and silver sales alone could reach over Rs 60,000 crore nationwide. Consumers bought gold, silver, utensils, electronics, and vehicles. Delhi's bullion markets saw a 25 percent rise in sales compared to last year. Reductions in GST rates and the 'Swadeshi Aapnao' campaign boosted festive trade. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has estimated that trade across India on the occasion of Dhanteras is expected to cro ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 19 (ANI): Special measures, including the use of water sprinklers, have been implemented at the Delhi Zoo to combat air pollution and ensure that wild animals are not adversely affected. The Director of the National Zoological Park, Dr. Sanjeet Kumar, on Monday, highlighted the challenges faced by zoo management during winter. Speaking to ANI, Dr. Kumar said, "As soon as the winter season begins, the zoo management faces two challenges. First, the pollution levels rise after Diwali, and second, the onset of winter... The area around the zoo is very green, and loca ...Read More >