News Analysis India

Tag: Diwali

  • Jharkhand: Crew asleep inside bus after lighting ‘diyas’ on Diwali day charred to death in a fire 

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: A driver and his helper were charred to death when the bus in which they were sleeping after lighting up diyas inside the vehicle on Diwali night sparked a fire and reduced the bus and its crew to ashes.

    The bus was parked at Khadgarha Bus Stand in Ranchi. Diyas and candles were lit inside the bus. The driver, Madan Mahto (50), Ibrahim (25), the helper, were asleep inside when the bus burst into flames.

    According to an eyewitness accounts, the tragedy took place at around 1 am on Tuesday and the intensity of the fire was so high that the crew didn’t get a chance to flee from the leaping tongues of flame. 

    “The crew of other buses parked in the bus stand, tried to break open the door of the bus, but all in vain,” said a bus driver who was around there.

    “Since it was Diwali, both the driver and the cleaner apparently performed puja inside the bus and lighted candles and diyas and slept inside it by locking the doors and windows. All of a sudden, the bus caught fire during the midnight apparently through one of the diya or candle lighted inside it, gutting the entire vehicle within minutes. 

    Jharkhand: Driver and cleaner charred to death after a bus catches fire through diyas, lighted inside it on Diwali night in Ranchi.@NewIndianXpress@TheMornStandard @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/2iNFkLvvHB
    — Mukesh Ranjan (@Mukesh_TNIE) October 25, 2022
    Officer in charge of Lower Bazar Police Station, Vikas Aryan suggested that quite apparently, Madan and Ibrahim were under the influence of alcohol, due to which, they could not sense the initial heat of the fire and when they got up it was too late.

    “The fire brigade was called in. However, it was too late,” said the officer in charge. 

    A bus named Kohinoor, parked adjacent to the ill-fated bus also caught fire but the driver of that bus acted instantly and drove his bus away from the bus stand to the nearest traffic out post where police personnel helped douse the fire.

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressing grief over the incident tweeted, “The death of the driver and the helper due to fire in the bus at Khadgarha bus stand in Ranchi is very painful. May God give peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families to bear this difficult time of grief.”

    RANCHI: A driver and his helper were charred to death when the bus in which they were sleeping after lighting up diyas inside the vehicle on Diwali night sparked a fire and reduced the bus and its crew to ashes.

    The bus was parked at Khadgarha Bus Stand in Ranchi. Diyas and candles were lit inside the bus. The driver, Madan Mahto (50), Ibrahim (25), the helper, were asleep inside when the bus burst into flames.

    According to an eyewitness accounts, the tragedy took place at around 1 am on Tuesday and the intensity of the fire was so high that the crew didn’t get a chance to flee from the leaping tongues of flame. 

    “The crew of other buses parked in the bus stand, tried to break open the door of the bus, but all in vain,” said a bus driver who was around there.

    “Since it was Diwali, both the driver and the cleaner apparently performed puja inside the bus and lighted candles and diyas and slept inside it by locking the doors and windows. All of a sudden, the bus caught fire during the midnight apparently through one of the diya or candle lighted inside it, gutting the entire vehicle within minutes. 

    Jharkhand: Driver and cleaner charred to death after a bus catches fire through diyas, lighted inside it on Diwali night in Ranchi.@NewIndianXpress@TheMornStandard @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/2iNFkLvvHB
    — Mukesh Ranjan (@Mukesh_TNIE) October 25, 2022
    Officer in charge of Lower Bazar Police Station, Vikas Aryan suggested that quite apparently, Madan and Ibrahim were under the influence of alcohol, due to which, they could not sense the initial heat of the fire and when they got up it was too late.

    “The fire brigade was called in. However, it was too late,” said the officer in charge. 

    A bus named Kohinoor, parked adjacent to the ill-fated bus also caught fire but the driver of that bus acted instantly and drove his bus away from the bus stand to the nearest traffic out post where police personnel helped douse the fire.

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressing grief over the incident tweeted, “The death of the driver and the helper due to fire in the bus at Khadgarha bus stand in Ranchi is very painful. May God give peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families to bear this difficult time of grief.”

  • Many places in Punjab, Haryana report ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ air quality

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: After Diwali, several parts of Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday morning recorded air quality in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories.

    Gurugram in Haryana and Ludhiana in Punjab reported their respective air quality index (AQI) at 313 and 269 at 10:10 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) data.

    Among other districts, Faridabad, Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, Ambala, Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, Jind, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, and Panipat reported their AQI at 311, 301, 291, 241, 279, 214, 296, 211, 276 and 192 respectively.

    In Punjab, Amritsar, Mandi Gobindgarh, Patiala, Jalandhar and Khanna the AQI was recorded at 249, 208, 225, 260 and 212 respectively — all in the ‘poor’ category.

    An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

    The AQI in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the joint capital of the two states, was recorded at 178.

    The Punjab government had allowed a window of two hours from 8 pm till 10 pm for bursting firecrackers on Diwali while the Haryana government had allowed only green crackers in the state.

    Farm fires also continued at many places in Punjab and Haryana.

    Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is one of the reasons behind the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the national capital in October and November.

    As the window for Rabi crop wheat is very short after paddy harvest, farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue.

    CHANDIGARH: After Diwali, several parts of Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday morning recorded air quality in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories.

    Gurugram in Haryana and Ludhiana in Punjab reported their respective air quality index (AQI) at 313 and 269 at 10:10 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) data.

    Among other districts, Faridabad, Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, Ambala, Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, Jind, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, and Panipat reported their AQI at 311, 301, 291, 241, 279, 214, 296, 211, 276 and 192 respectively.

    In Punjab, Amritsar, Mandi Gobindgarh, Patiala, Jalandhar and Khanna the AQI was recorded at 249, 208, 225, 260 and 212 respectively — all in the ‘poor’ category.

    An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

    The AQI in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the joint capital of the two states, was recorded at 178.

    The Punjab government had allowed a window of two hours from 8 pm till 10 pm for bursting firecrackers on Diwali while the Haryana government had allowed only green crackers in the state.

    Farm fires also continued at many places in Punjab and Haryana.

    Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is one of the reasons behind the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the national capital in October and November.

    As the window for Rabi crop wheat is very short after paddy harvest, farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue.

  • India has never considered war first option but last resort; we believe in peace: PM Modi

    By PTI

    KARGIL: India has always viewed war as the last resort, but the armed forces have the strength and strategies to give a befitting reply to anyone who casts an evil eye on the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

    Addressing the armed forces here on Diwali, the prime minister also recalled his visit to this frontier region in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict in 1999 when the Indian military had “crushed the hood of terror”.

    “There has not been a single war with Pakistan when Kargil has not flown the victory flag,” he said adding that Diwali symbolised the “celebration of the end of terror”.

    “I have witnessed the Kargil war closely. It was my duty that had brought me to Kargil back then. There are many memories of that time when the sounds of victory were reverberating all around,” Modi said, continuing with the tradition set by him to celebrate Diwali at the country’s frontiers.

    “In Kargil, our armed forces had crushed the hood of terror and people still remember the Diwali that was celebrated back then,” he said.

    He said over the last eight years, the government has worked on implementing reforms in the armed forces by deploying new technologies, developing infrastructure in border areas and opening up positions for women in the forces.

    “The induction of women in the armed forces will boost our strength,” Modi said and added that reforms in the armed forces that were required for decades are now being implemented.

    The prime minister said a nation is safe when its borders are secure, economy strong and society full of confidence.

    India has been dealing with its enemies, both external and internal, with force, Modi said and recounted the steps taken to “uproot” the “terror, naxalism and extremism” from within the country.

    He said India has never viewed war as the first option. “We have always seen war as the final resort. We are in favour of global peace. But peace cannot be achieved without strength,” Modi said.

    “Our armed forces have the strategies as well as the strength. If anyone dares cast an evil eye on us, our three armed forces know very well how to give a befitting reply,” the prime minister said.

    Prime Minister Modi also said that ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ most important to the nation’s security and the country’s dependence should be minimal on foreign weapons and systems.

    Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has been visiting different military facilities to celebrate Diwali.

    KARGIL: India has always viewed war as the last resort, but the armed forces have the strength and strategies to give a befitting reply to anyone who casts an evil eye on the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

    Addressing the armed forces here on Diwali, the prime minister also recalled his visit to this frontier region in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict in 1999 when the Indian military had “crushed the hood of terror”.

    “There has not been a single war with Pakistan when Kargil has not flown the victory flag,” he said adding that Diwali symbolised the “celebration of the end of terror”.

    “I have witnessed the Kargil war closely. It was my duty that had brought me to Kargil back then. There are many memories of that time when the sounds of victory were reverberating all around,” Modi said, continuing with the tradition set by him to celebrate Diwali at the country’s frontiers.

    “In Kargil, our armed forces had crushed the hood of terror and people still remember the Diwali that was celebrated back then,” he said.

    He said over the last eight years, the government has worked on implementing reforms in the armed forces by deploying new technologies, developing infrastructure in border areas and opening up positions for women in the forces.

    “The induction of women in the armed forces will boost our strength,” Modi said and added that reforms in the armed forces that were required for decades are now being implemented.

    The prime minister said a nation is safe when its borders are secure, economy strong and society full of confidence.

    India has been dealing with its enemies, both external and internal, with force, Modi said and recounted the steps taken to “uproot” the “terror, naxalism and extremism” from within the country.

    He said India has never viewed war as the first option. “We have always seen war as the final resort. We are in favour of global peace. But peace cannot be achieved without strength,” Modi said.

    “Our armed forces have the strategies as well as the strength. If anyone dares cast an evil eye on us, our three armed forces know very well how to give a befitting reply,” the prime minister said.

    Prime Minister Modi also said that ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ most important to the nation’s security and the country’s dependence should be minimal on foreign weapons and systems.

    Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has been visiting different military facilities to celebrate Diwali.

  • Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur account for 60 per cent of stubble burning cases in Punjab

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab recorded nearly 3,700 stubble burning incidents between September 15 and October 22 and about 60 per cent of these were in three districts of Majha region — Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Gurdaspur.

    According to data from the Ludhiana-based Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Tarn Taran reported 1,034 stubble burning incidents, maximum in the state, followed by Amritsar 895 and Gurdaspur 324.

    The state overall witnessed 3,696 cases of stubble burning during the period.

    Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is one of the reasons behind the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the national capital region in October and November. And, the situation is often aggravated by bursting of firecrackers around Diwali.

    Paddy harvest is complete in 35 per cent of the total cultivated area in Punjab and it will pick up in a day or two, said an official of the state agriculture department.

    Crop harvesting got delayed by at least 10 days because of untimely rain in September. Punjab has around 30.84 lakh hectares of paddy area in this Kharif season.

    Other districts which have so far seen stubble burning incidents include Patiala (246), Kapurthala (214), Ferozepur (187), Jalandhar (169) and Ludhiana (131).

    Pathankot is the only district in the state which has not seen a single stubble burning incident so far this season.

    Farm fire incidents have picked up as the state has seen a four-fold increase in such cases since October 10. Till October 10, the state had witnessed 718 stubble burning incidents.

    However, the situation is marginally better this year as of now in comparison to stubble burning incidents in the last two years.

    Punjab had reported 10,785 and 5,438 such incidents till October 22 in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

    On October 22, Punjab saw 582 active farm fire incidents. However, on the same day in 2020 and 2021, the state had seen 1,341 and 1,111 such incidents, according to the data.

    Farm fires continued despite the state government assuring more crop residue management machines and launching massive awareness programmes against stubble burning.

    As the window for the cultivation of wheat (Rabi crop) is very short after the paddy harvest, farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue. Punjab generates around 180 lakh tonne of paddy straw annually.

    The state recorded 71,304 such fire incidents in 2021; 76,590 in 2020; 55,210 in 2019; and 50,590 in 2018 with many districts, including Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda and Amritsar, witnessing large-scale stubble burning.

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab recorded nearly 3,700 stubble burning incidents between September 15 and October 22 and about 60 per cent of these were in three districts of Majha region — Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Gurdaspur.

    According to data from the Ludhiana-based Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Tarn Taran reported 1,034 stubble burning incidents, maximum in the state, followed by Amritsar 895 and Gurdaspur 324.

    The state overall witnessed 3,696 cases of stubble burning during the period.

    Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is one of the reasons behind the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the national capital region in October and November. And, the situation is often aggravated by bursting of firecrackers around Diwali.

    Paddy harvest is complete in 35 per cent of the total cultivated area in Punjab and it will pick up in a day or two, said an official of the state agriculture department.

    Crop harvesting got delayed by at least 10 days because of untimely rain in September. Punjab has around 30.84 lakh hectares of paddy area in this Kharif season.

    Other districts which have so far seen stubble burning incidents include Patiala (246), Kapurthala (214), Ferozepur (187), Jalandhar (169) and Ludhiana (131).

    Pathankot is the only district in the state which has not seen a single stubble burning incident so far this season.

    Farm fire incidents have picked up as the state has seen a four-fold increase in such cases since October 10. Till October 10, the state had witnessed 718 stubble burning incidents.

    However, the situation is marginally better this year as of now in comparison to stubble burning incidents in the last two years.

    Punjab had reported 10,785 and 5,438 such incidents till October 22 in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

    On October 22, Punjab saw 582 active farm fire incidents. However, on the same day in 2020 and 2021, the state had seen 1,341 and 1,111 such incidents, according to the data.

    Farm fires continued despite the state government assuring more crop residue management machines and launching massive awareness programmes against stubble burning.

    As the window for the cultivation of wheat (Rabi crop) is very short after the paddy harvest, farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue. Punjab generates around 180 lakh tonne of paddy straw annually.

    The state recorded 71,304 such fire incidents in 2021; 76,590 in 2020; 55,210 in 2019; and 50,590 in 2018 with many districts, including Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda and Amritsar, witnessing large-scale stubble burning.

  • PM Modi offers prayers to Ram Lalla in Ayodhya

    By PTI

    AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi here. This is his first visit to Ayodhya after a “bhoomi pujan” for the construction of a Ram temple on August 5, 2020.

    Immediately after reaching Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebrations, the PM went to the makeshift Ram temple and offered prayers to Ram Lalla.

    Ram Lalla Temple is decorated with flowers. (Photo | ANI)He lit an earthen lamp there and performed an “aarti”.

    Temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das applied vermillion on his forehead.

    Modi was also briefed by officials on the construction going on for a grand Ram temple at the site.

    Earlier, the PM was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

    He will be attending the Deepotsav celebrations.

    Modi will witness a 3-D holographic projection mapping show at Ram ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu, along with a grand musical laser show, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

    Around 6.30 pm, the prime minister will witness an “aarti” on the banks of the Saryu, which will be followed by the launch of the Deepotsav celebrations, a statement said.

    Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Navdeep Rinwa had said over 15 lakh earthen lamps will be lit as part of the Deepotsav celebrations by more than 22,000 volunteers at Ram ki Paidi near the Saryu bank.

    The rest will be placed at important intersections and spots in the town.

    Five animated tableaux and 11 Ramlila tableaux showcasing dance forms from different states will also be presented during the Deepotsav.

    AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi here. This is his first visit to Ayodhya after a “bhoomi pujan” for the construction of a Ram temple on August 5, 2020.

    Immediately after reaching Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebrations, the PM went to the makeshift Ram temple and offered prayers to Ram Lalla.

    Ram Lalla Temple is decorated with flowers. (Photo | ANI)He lit an earthen lamp there and performed an “aarti”.

    Temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das applied vermillion on his forehead.

    Modi was also briefed by officials on the construction going on for a grand Ram temple at the site.

    Earlier, the PM was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

    He will be attending the Deepotsav celebrations.

    Modi will witness a 3-D holographic projection mapping show at Ram ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu, along with a grand musical laser show, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

    Around 6.30 pm, the prime minister will witness an “aarti” on the banks of the Saryu, which will be followed by the launch of the Deepotsav celebrations, a statement said.

    Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Navdeep Rinwa had said over 15 lakh earthen lamps will be lit as part of the Deepotsav celebrations by more than 22,000 volunteers at Ram ki Paidi near the Saryu bank.

    The rest will be placed at important intersections and spots in the town.

    Five animated tableaux and 11 Ramlila tableaux showcasing dance forms from different states will also be presented during the Deepotsav.

  • Values inculcated by Lord Ram inspiration for ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’: PM Modi in Ayodhya

    By PTI

    AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday said the values inculcated by Lord Ram through his words, thoughts and rule are the inspiration for “sabka saath, sabka vikas”.

    These are also a basis for “sabka vishwas, sabka prayas”, said the prime minister who arrived here to attend the Deepotsav celebrations.

    Addressing a gathering at the Ram Katha park where a symbolic coronation of Lord Ram and Sita was performed, Modi said he got the opportunity of having the deity’s “darshan” due to his blessings.

    “I am happy that people of Ayodhya, entire UP and world are witnessing this event. As we are celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava’, the determination like Lord Ram will take the country to new heights,” he said.

    The PM said Lord Ram’s ideals are a beacon of light for people aspiring for a developed India in next 25 years and give the “courage to achieve the most difficult goals”.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi here.

    This is his first visit to Ayodhya after a “bhoomi pujan” for the construction of a Ram temple on August 5, 2020.

    Immediately after reaching Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebrations, the PM went to the makeshift Ram temple and offered prayers to Ram Lalla.

    He lit an earthen lamp there and performed an “aarti”.

    Modi was also briefed by officials on the construction going on for a grand Ram temple at the site.

    Earlier, the PM was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

    AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday said the values inculcated by Lord Ram through his words, thoughts and rule are the inspiration for “sabka saath, sabka vikas”.

    These are also a basis for “sabka vishwas, sabka prayas”, said the prime minister who arrived here to attend the Deepotsav celebrations.

    Addressing a gathering at the Ram Katha park where a symbolic coronation of Lord Ram and Sita was performed, Modi said he got the opportunity of having the deity’s “darshan” due to his blessings.

    “I am happy that people of Ayodhya, entire UP and world are witnessing this event. As we are celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava’, the determination like Lord Ram will take the country to new heights,” he said.

    The PM said Lord Ram’s ideals are a beacon of light for people aspiring for a developed India in next 25 years and give the “courage to achieve the most difficult goals”.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi here.

    This is his first visit to Ayodhya after a “bhoomi pujan” for the construction of a Ram temple on August 5, 2020.

    Immediately after reaching Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebrations, the PM went to the makeshift Ram temple and offered prayers to Ram Lalla.

    He lit an earthen lamp there and performed an “aarti”.

    Modi was also briefed by officials on the construction going on for a grand Ram temple at the site.

    Earlier, the PM was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

  • RSS body slams Delhi government ban on all kinds of firecrackers during Diwali 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch on Saturday slammed the AAP-led Delhi government over the imposition of a complete ban on all kinds of firecrackers in the city, terming the move “inappropriate and unscientific”.

    It also alleged that the Arvind Kejriwal government’s “blanket ban” on firecrackers was aimed at misguiding people and diverting their attention from the real cause of air pollution in the national capital.

    Government agencies have failed to solve the problem of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and other parts of the country even though it is the “biggest source” of air pollution in the national capital and the surrounding northern states, the SJM said without naming anyone.

    “The SJM strongly opposes the complete ban on firecrackers by the Delhi government during the festival of Diwali as it is inappropriate,” it said in a statement.

    “The SJM also urges all state governments to make efforts to find a permanent solution to the problem of stubble burning and repeal the restrictions on firecrackers during Diwali,” the RSS body added.

    The burning of firecrackers “illegally” imported from China causes air pollution due to mixing of potassium nitrate and sulphur in them, not the green firecrackers manufactured in the country, it said.

    “Potassium nitrate and sulphur are not mixed in green firecrackers made in India today. Other pollutants such as aluminium, lithium, arsenic and mercury etc., have also been reduced to the minimum,” the SJM said.

    While these green firecrackers are certified by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, it is also “scientifically proven” that they cause 30 per cent less pollution, it added.

    The “last minute” decision of the Delhi Government and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to ban even the green firecrackers is “highly deplorable”, the SJM said.

    Since the Union government has imposed “an effective ban” on the Chinese firecrackers, it is completely “unfair” to impose a blanket ban on all types of firecrackers in Delhi during the festival of Diwali, it said.

    The ban on all kinds of firecrackers is not just “arbitrary, anti-people and bereft of any scientific basis, but also hurting the sentiments of the people on the occasion of Diwali”, it added.

    “The Swadeshi Jagran Manch also urges the Delhi Police to come clear on whether they will follow the arbitrary orders of the Delhi government of arresting people in Delhi if found in possession of or bursting firecrackers,” the RSS affiliate said.

    The SJM said the Delhi government’s decision would deal a severe blow to over millions of workers and others engaged in the production and distribution of firecrackers in the country.

    “We should not forget that in Tamil Nadu (Sivakasi), West Bengal and many other parts of the country, the livelihoods of more than one million people depend on the firecracker industry,” the SJM said.

    Throughout the year, these people wait for Diwali to sell the firecrackers, it said.

    “In such a situation, it is not prudent to ban green firecrackers without any scientific basis,” the SJM said 

    NEW DELHI: The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch on Saturday slammed the AAP-led Delhi government over the imposition of a complete ban on all kinds of firecrackers in the city, terming the move “inappropriate and unscientific”.

    It also alleged that the Arvind Kejriwal government’s “blanket ban” on firecrackers was aimed at misguiding people and diverting their attention from the real cause of air pollution in the national capital.

    Government agencies have failed to solve the problem of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and other parts of the country even though it is the “biggest source” of air pollution in the national capital and the surrounding northern states, the SJM said without naming anyone.

    “The SJM strongly opposes the complete ban on firecrackers by the Delhi government during the festival of Diwali as it is inappropriate,” it said in a statement.

    “The SJM also urges all state governments to make efforts to find a permanent solution to the problem of stubble burning and repeal the restrictions on firecrackers during Diwali,” the RSS body added.

    The burning of firecrackers “illegally” imported from China causes air pollution due to mixing of potassium nitrate and sulphur in them, not the green firecrackers manufactured in the country, it said.

    “Potassium nitrate and sulphur are not mixed in green firecrackers made in India today. Other pollutants such as aluminium, lithium, arsenic and mercury etc., have also been reduced to the minimum,” the SJM said.

    While these green firecrackers are certified by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, it is also “scientifically proven” that they cause 30 per cent less pollution, it added.

    The “last minute” decision of the Delhi Government and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to ban even the green firecrackers is “highly deplorable”, the SJM said.

    Since the Union government has imposed “an effective ban” on the Chinese firecrackers, it is completely “unfair” to impose a blanket ban on all types of firecrackers in Delhi during the festival of Diwali, it said.

    The ban on all kinds of firecrackers is not just “arbitrary, anti-people and bereft of any scientific basis, but also hurting the sentiments of the people on the occasion of Diwali”, it added.

    “The Swadeshi Jagran Manch also urges the Delhi Police to come clear on whether they will follow the arbitrary orders of the Delhi government of arresting people in Delhi if found in possession of or bursting firecrackers,” the RSS affiliate said.

    The SJM said the Delhi government’s decision would deal a severe blow to over millions of workers and others engaged in the production and distribution of firecrackers in the country.

    “We should not forget that in Tamil Nadu (Sivakasi), West Bengal and many other parts of the country, the livelihoods of more than one million people depend on the firecracker industry,” the SJM said.

    Throughout the year, these people wait for Diwali to sell the firecrackers, it said.

    “In such a situation, it is not prudent to ban green firecrackers without any scientific basis,” the SJM said 

  • Buyers splurge as Diwali shopping makes grand return after Covid-induced lull

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: It is the season of lights, parties and gifts.

    And this Diwali, after a two-year pandemic-induced lull, people are thronging the markets to grab the perfect gift for their loved ones and keep the ritual of exchanging goodies alive.

    This season, shoppers are once again contending with the problem of plenty, be it in deals or offerings, which has bewildered even the most seasoned buyer.

    This was why Vandana Thapa, a homemaker in her 40s, played it safe and bought a mixed-bag of sorts, including electronics, home accessories to ‘tried and tasted’ mithai, to satiate her annual festival shopping cravings.

    Her laundry list of items includes a bar cabinet for her brother, phone for her father, home decor items for colleagues and sweet boxes for her house help.

    According to industry experts, even though gourmet hampers, home furniture and accessories, such as chic candle stands or crockery, and sweets are in huge demand, electronic devices, including mobile phones and smart wearables, remain the ones to beat.

    Gaurav Khatri, co-founder of technology brand Noise, told PTI, “During the festival season, the demand for electronics and smart gadgets is at an all-time high and it’s no different for the smart wearables segment..We speculate the industry to grow 2.2 times this festival season while we at Noise are expecting a growth of 150 per cent.”

    Expecting a “truly grand” Diwali, Manish Aggarwal, director of leading packaged food brand Bikano, has set a mammoth target of “Rs 400 crores” in sales across India.

    Sid Mathur, founder of premium mithai brand Khoya, echoed Aggarwal’s sentiments and claimed that sweetmeat sales at his Chanakyapuri store here had gone “beyond their own projections”.

    The festival season has set the cash registers ringing even louder for brands selling furniture, homeware and soft furnishing.

    “We have seen a buoyant 50 per cent increase in sales over last year…Keeping up with the capital’s trend, our other fast selling products have been our bespoke candles, the poker box and Eden collection, which are all doing very well,” said Vikash Gupta, founder and CEO of Three Sixty, a lifestyle brand and design studio.

    Like previous years, the online sector continues to garner strong demand, evident from cashback platform Cashkaro registering a “8X growth” in traffic and “5X growth” in sales compared to last year.

    Online shopping aside, heavy footfall at malls has got the business and trade lobby excited.

    “The last survey by the Retailers” Association of India has reflected a 15% increase in sales from pre-pandemic levels,” said Yogeshwar Sharma, Select CITYWALK CEO and executive director.

    Footfalls have steadily increased across shopping centres in the past quarter, he added.

    “They now match pre-pandemic levels and have increased in the past few months due to the kick-off of the festival season. We see an almost 7-8 per cent growth with regard to sales and similar footfall.

    “Also as a trend, we have witnessed that last year retailers were hesitant to stock up but supply chain issues have been minimised and retail stores are stocked up,” Sharma added.

    Wellness products have continued to find takers amid growing focus on immunity following the outbreak of COVID-19.

    Immunity-based gifting options such as dry fruit boxes, turmeric tea and spice kits have been popular gift options this year as well.

    Vahdam India, a global wellness brand offering a vast range of wellness-based gift collections, including fresh teas and superfoods, has claimed to achieve “50-60 per cent” of their two months’ India revenue through Diwali sales alone.

    Gifting an experience has also become a sought-after option this Diwali.

    Instead of dropping off a package at loved ones’ homes, many are opting to gift them a break from the daily hustle by booking an exclusive staycation at five-star hotels and resorts.

    While Radisson Gurugram, Udyog Vihar, for instance, is offering a one-night stay on double occupancy and breakfast at a discounted price of Rs 7,555, Fazlani Natures Nest in Maharashtra has curated an exclusive ‘Diwali Rejuvenation Package’ that includes a minimum three-night accommodation, meals and various wellness therapies.

    The price of the package starts from Rs 14,000 per night.

    For those who want to make the ‘festival of lights’ a little brighter for the needy, options include purchasing gift boxes from brands such as ‘Humanitive’.

    These keepsake boxes, besides home decor products, accessories and eatables for loved ones, are equipped with a donation kit with details of the buyer’s contribution and where it is eventually used, such as sponsoring a folding cane for the visually impaired to health supplements for a destitute elderly for 15 days.

    The hampers cost between Rs 3,900 and Rs 6,500.

    NEW DELHI: It is the season of lights, parties and gifts.

    And this Diwali, after a two-year pandemic-induced lull, people are thronging the markets to grab the perfect gift for their loved ones and keep the ritual of exchanging goodies alive.

    This season, shoppers are once again contending with the problem of plenty, be it in deals or offerings, which has bewildered even the most seasoned buyer.

    This was why Vandana Thapa, a homemaker in her 40s, played it safe and bought a mixed-bag of sorts, including electronics, home accessories to ‘tried and tasted’ mithai, to satiate her annual festival shopping cravings.

    Her laundry list of items includes a bar cabinet for her brother, phone for her father, home decor items for colleagues and sweet boxes for her house help.

    According to industry experts, even though gourmet hampers, home furniture and accessories, such as chic candle stands or crockery, and sweets are in huge demand, electronic devices, including mobile phones and smart wearables, remain the ones to beat.

    Gaurav Khatri, co-founder of technology brand Noise, told PTI, “During the festival season, the demand for electronics and smart gadgets is at an all-time high and it’s no different for the smart wearables segment..We speculate the industry to grow 2.2 times this festival season while we at Noise are expecting a growth of 150 per cent.”

    Expecting a “truly grand” Diwali, Manish Aggarwal, director of leading packaged food brand Bikano, has set a mammoth target of “Rs 400 crores” in sales across India.

    Sid Mathur, founder of premium mithai brand Khoya, echoed Aggarwal’s sentiments and claimed that sweetmeat sales at his Chanakyapuri store here had gone “beyond their own projections”.

    The festival season has set the cash registers ringing even louder for brands selling furniture, homeware and soft furnishing.

    “We have seen a buoyant 50 per cent increase in sales over last year…Keeping up with the capital’s trend, our other fast selling products have been our bespoke candles, the poker box and Eden collection, which are all doing very well,” said Vikash Gupta, founder and CEO of Three Sixty, a lifestyle brand and design studio.

    Like previous years, the online sector continues to garner strong demand, evident from cashback platform Cashkaro registering a “8X growth” in traffic and “5X growth” in sales compared to last year.

    Online shopping aside, heavy footfall at malls has got the business and trade lobby excited.

    “The last survey by the Retailers” Association of India has reflected a 15% increase in sales from pre-pandemic levels,” said Yogeshwar Sharma, Select CITYWALK CEO and executive director.

    Footfalls have steadily increased across shopping centres in the past quarter, he added.

    “They now match pre-pandemic levels and have increased in the past few months due to the kick-off of the festival season. We see an almost 7-8 per cent growth with regard to sales and similar footfall.

    “Also as a trend, we have witnessed that last year retailers were hesitant to stock up but supply chain issues have been minimised and retail stores are stocked up,” Sharma added.

    Wellness products have continued to find takers amid growing focus on immunity following the outbreak of COVID-19.

    Immunity-based gifting options such as dry fruit boxes, turmeric tea and spice kits have been popular gift options this year as well.

    Vahdam India, a global wellness brand offering a vast range of wellness-based gift collections, including fresh teas and superfoods, has claimed to achieve “50-60 per cent” of their two months’ India revenue through Diwali sales alone.

    Gifting an experience has also become a sought-after option this Diwali.

    Instead of dropping off a package at loved ones’ homes, many are opting to gift them a break from the daily hustle by booking an exclusive staycation at five-star hotels and resorts.

    While Radisson Gurugram, Udyog Vihar, for instance, is offering a one-night stay on double occupancy and breakfast at a discounted price of Rs 7,555, Fazlani Natures Nest in Maharashtra has curated an exclusive ‘Diwali Rejuvenation Package’ that includes a minimum three-night accommodation, meals and various wellness therapies.

    The price of the package starts from Rs 14,000 per night.

    For those who want to make the ‘festival of lights’ a little brighter for the needy, options include purchasing gift boxes from brands such as ‘Humanitive’.

    These keepsake boxes, besides home decor products, accessories and eatables for loved ones, are equipped with a donation kit with details of the buyer’s contribution and where it is eventually used, such as sponsoring a folding cane for the visually impaired to health supplements for a destitute elderly for 15 days.

    The hampers cost between Rs 3,900 and Rs 6,500.

  • “Muslims don’t worship Goddess Lakshmi, are they not…” Bihar BJP MLA sparks controversy

    By ANI

    PATNA: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Bihar Lalan Paswan courted controversy by making bizarre statements about Hindu deities.

    Paswan’s statement sparked an outrage. People held a protest at Shermari Bazar in Bhagalpur and burnt the effigy of the BJP MLA.

    Paswan, who is an MLA from Pirpainti Assembly constituency in Bhagalpur district raised questions on Hindu beliefs and argued with evidence to prove his stance.

    He further raised questions on Lakshmi Puja on Diwali.

    Paswan said, “If we get wealth only by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, then there would have been no billionaires and trillionaires among Muslims. Muslims do not worship Goddess Lakshmi, are they not rich? Muslims do not worship Goddess Saraswati. Are there no scholars among Muslims? Do not they become IAS or IPS?”

    The BJP leader said everything is people’s belief. He said the affair of “Atma and Paramatma” is just people’s belief.

    He said, “If you believe then it is a goddess and if not then it is just a stone idol. It is up to us whether we believe in Gods and Goddesses or not. We have to think on a scientific basis to reach a logical conclusion. If you stop believing, then your intellectual capacity will increase.”

    “It is believed that Bajrangbali is a deity with power and bestows strength. Muslims or Christians do not worship Bajrangbali. Are they not powerful? The day you stop believing, all these things will end,” added Paswan.

    Earlier, Paswan came to light when he allegedly leaked a personal conversation with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav (ANI)

    PATNA: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Bihar Lalan Paswan courted controversy by making bizarre statements about Hindu deities.

    Paswan’s statement sparked an outrage. People held a protest at Shermari Bazar in Bhagalpur and burnt the effigy of the BJP MLA.

    Paswan, who is an MLA from Pirpainti Assembly constituency in Bhagalpur district raised questions on Hindu beliefs and argued with evidence to prove his stance.

    He further raised questions on Lakshmi Puja on Diwali.

    Paswan said, “If we get wealth only by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, then there would have been no billionaires and trillionaires among Muslims. Muslims do not worship Goddess Lakshmi, are they not rich? Muslims do not worship Goddess Saraswati. Are there no scholars among Muslims? Do not they become IAS or IPS?”

    The BJP leader said everything is people’s belief. He said the affair of “Atma and Paramatma” is just people’s belief.

    He said, “If you believe then it is a goddess and if not then it is just a stone idol. It is up to us whether we believe in Gods and Goddesses or not. We have to think on a scientific basis to reach a logical conclusion. If you stop believing, then your intellectual capacity will increase.”

    “It is believed that Bajrangbali is a deity with power and bestows strength. Muslims or Christians do not worship Bajrangbali. Are they not powerful? The day you stop believing, all these things will end,” added Paswan.

    Earlier, Paswan came to light when he allegedly leaked a personal conversation with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav (ANI)

  • Kolkata Diary: BJP Bengal to invite Amit Shah for Diwali 

    Express News Service

    BJP Bengal to invite Amit Shah for Diwali BJP Bengal chapter is desperate to invite Union Home minister Amit Shah to the state during Diwali or Kali Puja this month. Having missed a political opportunity during Durga Puja, the state’s saffron camp is now working hard to bring Shah to Bengal during Diwali. Earlier, ahead of the Bengal’s biggest festival, the state chapter of the saffron camp failed to send a proposed schedule for Shah. A section of party leaders then mounted pressure on the state functionaries to bring Shah for the upcoming Diwali festival. But sources in the BJP said chances of Shah’s Bengal visit in Diwali are unlikely. 

    Ensure green and noiseless Diwali: HC A division bench of Calcutta High Court directed the police and state pollution control board along with union government organisations – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) – to jointly monitor to ensure only green fireworks are burst during the upcoming Diwali festival. The bench asked the pollution control board and the state to submit a report and fixed the next hearing date after the Court’s Puja vacation ends. The directive was issued in response to a PIL moved by Sabuj Mancha, an environment platform, in 2021. 

    Jadavpur alumni in US to raise funds for labs A group of former students of Jadavpur University (JU) in the US, who have been raising funds for the maintenance of the university’s laboratories, used the occasion of Durga Puja being held in the Bay Area in California to disseminate the message about the Global Jadavpur University Alumni Foundation (GJUAF). The foundation works as a platform to raise resources for the university. The foundation is aiming to raise 100,000 USD by November to support their alma matter which is facing acute fund crunch. Recently, JU’s V-C Suranjan Das had said the institute needs funds to overhaul its infrastructure.

    Pranab mondal Our correspondent in West [email protected]

    BJP Bengal to invite Amit Shah for Diwali 
    BJP Bengal chapter is desperate to invite Union Home minister Amit Shah to the state during Diwali or Kali Puja this month. Having missed a political opportunity during Durga Puja, the state’s saffron camp is now working hard to bring Shah to Bengal during Diwali. Earlier, ahead of the Bengal’s biggest festival, the state chapter of the saffron camp failed to send a proposed schedule for Shah. A section of party leaders then mounted pressure on the state functionaries to bring Shah for the upcoming Diwali festival. But sources in the BJP said chances of Shah’s Bengal visit in Diwali are unlikely. 

    Ensure green and noiseless Diwali: HC 
    A division bench of Calcutta High Court directed the police and state pollution control board along with union government organisations – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) – to jointly monitor to ensure only green fireworks are burst during the upcoming Diwali festival. The bench asked the pollution control board and the state to submit a report and fixed the next hearing date after the Court’s Puja vacation ends. The directive was issued in response to a PIL moved by Sabuj Mancha, an environment platform, in 2021. 

    Jadavpur alumni in US to raise funds for labs 
    A group of former students of Jadavpur University (JU) in the US, who have been raising funds for the maintenance of the university’s laboratories, used the occasion of Durga Puja being held in the Bay Area in California to disseminate the message about the Global Jadavpur University Alumni Foundation (GJUAF). The foundation works as a platform to raise resources for the university. The foundation is aiming to raise 100,000 USD by November to support their alma matter which is facing acute fund crunch. Recently, JU’s V-C Suranjan Das had said the institute needs funds to overhaul its infrastructure.

    Pranab mondal 
    Our correspondent in West Bengal
    [email protected]