News Analysis India

Tag: Diwali

  • ‘India must enhance its capabilities in line with changing world, modes of war’: PM’s Diwali message to troops

    By PTI

    NOWSHERA: India must enhance its military capabilities in line with the changing world and modes of war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday and noted that modern border infrastructure has been built to augment connectivity and troop deployment.

    Modi made the remarks while addressing soldiers on the occasion of Diwali at Nowshera sector in the border district of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir.

    The prime minister lauded the role played by the brigade here in surgical strikes.

    India had conducted the surgical strike on September 29, 2016, across the Line of Control (LoC) as a response to a terrorist attack on an Army base in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

    Modi said many attempts were made to spread terrorism here after the surgical strike but they were given a befitting reply.

    India must enhance its military capabilities in line with the changing world and modes of war, the prime minister said.

    He said that connectivity in border areas has improved — be it from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, Jaisalmer to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

    Borders and coastal areas lacking normal connectivity now have roads and optical fibres, and this boosts deployment capabilities as well as facilities for soldiers, the prime minister said.

    Modi also said that earlier the country had to depend mostly on imports in the defence sector but with his government’s attempts indigenous capabilities have gotten a boost.

    He hailed the courage of soldiers and said their capability and strength has ensured peace and security for the country.

    “I want to spend Diwali with family members, so I join you on this festival,” he said.

    Since taking over as prime minister, Modi has made it a point to meet troops in a border region on Diwali, starting from a visit to Siachen in 2014.

    Official sources shared photographs of him at an Army post in Nowshera.

    Army chief General M M Naravane had carried out an aerial reconnaissance of forward areas, including Rajouri, on Wednesday and he was briefed about the prevailing security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu region.

    An Army operation against terrorists has been going on through the forest belt in the Poonch-Rajouri area.

    This has been the longest such operation in the recent past and it entered the 26th day on Thursday.

    Meanwhile, when Modi left his residence in the morning, there were minimal security arrangements in place and no traffic route was deployed to minimise any inconvenience, official sources said.

  • On Diwali eve, Punjab Governor calls for renewing resolve to strengthen forces of peace

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit on Wednesday greeted people for Diwali and called for renewing the resolve to strengthen the forces of peace.

    Diwali will be celebrated on Thursday. He also called for sustaining the higher values of human conduct for building a healthy and harmonious society.

    In his message, the governor said that the festival of lights symbolises the victory of peace over conflict, good over evil, light over darkness.

    He also stressed on the need to lead a truthful and righteous life and bring the same in our thoughts and deeds.

    Purohit appealed to the people to celebrate Diwali in the true tradition of composite culture and in an atmosphere of peace and harmony, rising above narrow considerations of caste, creed and religion.

  • Consumers must buy only hallmarked jewellery on Dhanteras-Diwali festival: Government

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday advised consumers to buy only hallmarked jewellery on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras and Diwali festivities.

    In an official statement, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Department of Consumer Affairs asked people to “buy only hallmarked gold jewellery/silver jewellery artefacts from BIS-registered jewellers”.

    In case the hallmark is not clearly visible by the naked eye, ask for a magnifying glass from jewellers, it advised.

    With effect from June 23, 2021, hallmarking has been made mandatory in 256 districts of the country for 14, 18 and 22 karats of gold jewellery/ artefacts. These 256 districts are the districts where there is at least one assaying and hallmarking centre.

    Hallmarked jewellery can be sold only by BIS-registered jewellers. The government also urged consumers to insist on bills for jewellery purchased.

    “The bill or invoice of sale of hallmarked jewellery shall indicate separately description of each article, net weight of precious metal, purity in carat and fineness and hallmarking charges,” the statement said.

    The hallmarked gold jewellery artefacts consist of three marks — BIS mark; purity in carat and fineness for gold (e.g. 22K916,18K750, 14K585 ); and six-digit alphanumeric HUID code AAAAAA.

  • Calcutta HC’s ban on firecrackers: SC says Bengal government, pollution board need to be heard

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said the West Bengal government and the state pollution control board will have to be heard if any order is to be passed on pleas against the Calcutta High Court order banning firecrackers during Kali Puja, Diwali and some other festivals this year to check air pollution amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The high court on October 29 had banned sale, use and purchase of all types of firecrackers in the state.

    A special bench of justices A M Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi told the counsel appearing for the petitioners to intimate advocates representing the state and the West Bengal pollution control board that the matter will be taken up for hearing at 3 pm today.

    The counsel appearing for the petitioners told the bench, which assembled during the Diwali vacation to hear the matter, that they have served through e-mail the advance copies of the plea to the lawyers appearing for the respondents, including the state government and the pollution control board.

    “State and pollution control board will have to be heard if any order is to be passed,” the bench said during the hearing conducted through videoconferencing.

    “It appears that advance copy has already been served on the standing counsel for the state of West Bengal as well as the pollution control board. However, no appearance is made on their behalf. We permit the counsel for the petitioners to intimate the standing counsel for the state of West Bengal as well as the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, if any, that the matter will be taken up at 3 pm through video-conference and to make themselves available with appropriate instructions,” the bench said.

    At the outset, the bench asked the counsel representing the petitioners whether they have served the advance copy of the pleas to the respondents.

    “Yes. We have served everyone through e-mail,” the counsel said.

    A lawyer, representing the petitioners on whose plea the high court had passed the October 29 order, said they are opposing the plea challenging the high court order.

    “Who is appearing for the pollution control board and the state? We don’t want to multiply the hearing unnecessarily,” the bench said.

    One of the pleas filed in the apex court has claimed that the October 29 order passed by the high court was “patently erroneous” in holding a complete ban on firecrackers within West Bengal when the apex court has allowed the use of green firecrackers in permissible limit across all states.

    “The high court failed to appreciate that green crackers with reduced emission by a minimum of 30 per cent have been introduced in the local market. These are environment friendly,” said one of the pleas filed by the chairman of a West Bengal-based firecracker association and another such group.

    One of the petitioners has said that they represent the interest of about seven lakh families who are involved in the process of manufacture and sale of fireworks and are involved in the fireworks industry in one manner or another.

    “The high court failed to appreciate that the firecrackers manufacturers under the supervision and guidance of competent authorities of both the central and state governments are now engaged in manufacturing only green crackers which conform to permissible smoke and noise levels in terms of the directions of the apex court and the National Green Tribunal,” the plea said.

    It has sought ex-parte interim stay on the operation of the high court order.

    The plea said said if a blanket ban is imposed in this season on the sale and use of firecrackers in the state of West Bengal, sellers and manufacturers will have to suffer irreparable losses which may “lead to a complete shutdown of the firecracker industry altogether”.

    In its order, the high court had said that the expression “firecrackers” will cover all types of sparklers as well as other similar materials, whether or not their bursting or burning involves any sound or light generation.

    “The state should ensure that there is no use or display or bursting of firecrackers of any type at all during Kali Puja, Diwali celebrations as well as Chhath Puja, Jagadhatri Puja, Guru Nanak’s birthday and Christmas and New Year’s eve celebrations this year,” the high court had said.

    It had said that only wax or oil-based diyas may be used for the occasions.

    The high court has directed police to maintain a strict vigil to ensure that there is no further sale or purchase of firecrackers and take appropriate measures against those found violating the order.

    The petition in the high court had claimed that the bursting of firecrackers of all classes will severely endanger the right to life of citizens of the state, particularly in view of the worsening pandemic situation, as it would increase air pollution.

    It sought a re-imposition of the ban that the court had ordered before Diwali and Chhath in 2020.

    On October 29, the apex court had said celebration cannot be at the cost of others’ health and clarified that while there is no total ban on the use of firecrackers, fireworks which contain Barium salts are prohibited.

    Warning that top officials at various levels “shall be held personally liable” for any lapses, the apex court had said it is unfortunate that despite various directions issued by it there is a blatant violation going on.

  • Nainital boarding schools deny allegations of not giving Diwali leave

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: Boarding schools of Nainital town have denied allegations of not giving Diwali leave after Nainital district administration ordered inquiry and action in the matter.

    K E Jeremiah, principal of All Saint’s College, one of the most prestigious boarding schools of Nainital said, “The leave for Diwali was announced on October 8, 2021. This information was also put on our website. The complaint is a blatant lie and attempt to misguide the district administration.”

    The principal also wrote a letter to the district magistrate of Nainital informing about the same on Friday. Earlier on Thursday, a letter was issued to the additional district magistrate for inquiry and action in the matter by the DM office, Nainital. A written complaint was filed by a resident of Haldwani in Nainital district alleging that in the garb of Covid 19, the boarding schools are not allowing the festivity leaves.

    The school managements of the boarding school denied any such thing. Hector Pinto, principal of Saint Joseph’s College, Nainital said, ” The directions regarding the Diwali leave were issued on October 25 only. These allegations are not true.”

    Parents of another student from All Saint’s College, Nainital also confirmed that the classes are going on along with few extra classes depending on the syllabus covered but On November 4, there are no classes.

    “My daughter is a student of All Saint’s College, Nainital and there are no classes on November 4 due to Diwali festival, ” said Kavita Joshi, a resident of Nainital town.

    The complaint was submitted by Manoj Joshi, a resident of Haldwani city alleging that boarding schools of Nainital town including All Saint’s, Saint Joseph’s, Sherwood and various other schools. Nainital has been a famous education resort with its boarding schools with famous alumni including General Sam Manekshaw, actor Amitabh Bacchan ans many others. “The matter is being probed and action will be taken accordingly,” said a district administration official.

  • Gujarat: RT-PCR test mandatory for people returning to Surat post Diwali holidays

    By PTI

    SURAT: In an attempt to prevent rise in COVID-19 cases, the civic body in Gujarat’s Surat city has made it mandatory for people to carry RT-PCR test reports while returning to the city after Diwali holidays, an official said on Wednesday.

    The test is mandatory for everyone, irrespective of whether they have taken both doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the official said.

    According to the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), locals returning to the city post the Diwali holidays will have to mandatorily carry their RT-PCR reports not older than 72 hours.

    The precaution is being taken to ensure that the city doesn’t see any spike in COVID-19 cases, it said.

    A large number of people, especially migrant workers engaged in the city’s diamond and textile units, visit their hometowns during Diwali and people also go on vacations.

    An appeal has been made for people to get their mandatory RT-PCR test done, not more than 72 hours before their entry to the city after vacationing, said Pradeep Umarigar, municipal officer of health, SMC.

    “We also appeal to people to take their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine before going on vacations.

    Those who have recently tested COVID-19 positive will be given a relaxation,” the official said.

    The SMC will deploy teams at the airport, bus stands and road entry points to check the RT-PCR test reports of people returning to the city, he said, adding that the civic body will also provide facilities for RT-PCR tests for people who were unable to get tested earlier.

  • COVID test must for those visiting Bihar from other states during Diwali, Chhath: CM Nitish Kumar

    The CCTNS is a Government of India project for creating a comprehensive and integrated system for effective policing through e-governance.

  • Centre calls for vaccination, COVID-appropriate behaviour as festivities near

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: As the festival season approaches, the government on Thursday cautioned against a spike in coronavirus infections, and stressed that the call of the hour is vaccine acceptance, maintenance of COVID-19-appropriate behaviour, responsible travel and responsible festivities.

    “Overall there is stabilisation in COVID-19 cases and Kerala has also reported drop in cases….In the coming two-three months, we need to be cautious that there is no upsurge….It is also the period of festivities and also when flu cases rise…we request everyone to be careful and retain the gain that we have achieved (in the pandemic management),” an official said at a press briefing.

    Referring to the coming festivals, ICMR DG Balram Bhargava said, “…sudden increase in population density creates a very conducive environment for viral spread. If there is sudden increase in population density then the virus finds it very useful to spread, so the call of the hour is vaccine acceptance, maintenance of COVID-appropriate behaviour, responsible travel and responsible festivities.”

    ALSO READ| Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya calls for major push to COVID vaccine drive on PM’s birthday

    The government said that 20 per cent of India’s adult population have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 62 per cent have got at least one dose. Thirty-four districts in the country are reporting a weekly positivity rate of over 10 per cent and the figure is anything between five and 10 per cent in 32 districts.

    It said Kerala reported 67.79 per cent of India’s total COVID-19 cases last week and that it is the only state with more than 1 lakh active cases. “Overall there is stabilisation and Kerala has also reported drop in cases. Mizoram is a state of concern but we hope condition will improve there by fast vaccination and pandemic response is effective,” NITI Aayog member (health) VK Paul said.

    “In the coming two-three months, we need to be cautious that there is no upsurge and it can be reduced when detected. When people estimate when vulnerability will rise then they indicate October and November as the months and it is also the period of festivities and also when flu cases rise so in coming quarter we request everyone to be careful and retain the gain that we have achieved,” he added.

    ALSO READ| Mizoram reports 1,402 new COVID-19 cases, positivity rate stands at 12.1 per cent

    With 30,570 more people testing positive for COVID-19, India’s overall infection tally has risen to 3,33,47,325, while the count of active cases has dipped to 3,42,923, according to the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.

    The death toll due to the disease has climbed to 4,43,928 with 431 daily fatalities being recorded, according to data updated by the ministry at 8 am.

  • On Diwali, bride will be decorated like Ayodhya, CM Yogi will give big gift

    The festival of Diwali has arrived. In such a situation, Diwali will be celebrated with great fanfare in Ayodhya, the city of Rama. This time Diwali is very special for Uttar Pradesh because it is the first Diwali after the construction of Ram temple. Because of this Ayodhya is decorated like a bride.

    On this occasion, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will reach Ayodhya today i.e. on Friday. In such a situation, he will give many big gifts to Ayodhya. Which is expected to announce more than a dozen development projects, including the international airport.

    Ram’s Pauri will be decorated with millions of lamps in Ayodhya today. This time a special thing has been made available to the people. Which is the facility of virtual festival. People will be able to burn virtual lamps in it. CM Yogi and Governor Anandi Ben Patel will visit Ayodhya. The program will begin in the afternoon. This time there will also be cultural presentations. Apart from this, there will be a grand aarti in the Saryu river at sunset, as well as 11000 diyas will be lit at the Ram Mandir construction site at that time. After which he will go to Ram Janmabhoomi at 3.10 am, here he will offer prayers and burn 11 thousand diyas.

    After this, at 4 pm, Ram, Laxman and Sita will arrive by helicopter. He will be welcomed by CM Yogi and Governor Anandi Ben Patel. There will be Bharat Milap and the rest of the program at 5 pm. After this, at 6 o’clock CM Yogi will reach Saryu Ghat and take part in Aarti. Deepotsav will start at 6.15 pm.

  • PM Narendra Modi congratulates Dhanteras, will give this gift to the nation today

    The five-day Diwali festival has started today with ‘Dhanteras’, on this auspicious occasion, PM Modi has greeted the countrymen on Dhanteras, he wrote on Twitter that – ‘Dhanteras’ very much to all of you Congratulations. May Lord Dhanvantari bring happiness, prosperity, good luck and good health in everyone’s life. ‘ Let us tell you that today is being celebrated as Ayurveda Day, therefore PM Modi is also going to inaugurate two institutions on this special occasion.

    ‘Dhanvantari’ is also worshiped on this day. ‘Dhanvantari’ is also the god of medicine, so good health is also wished for him. According to the Puranas, when the sea churned between the gods and the demons, fourteen gems came out of the sea, one of which was the nectar. Lord Vishnu appeared as ‘Dhanwantari’ to immortalize the gods and came out of the sea with nectar in the urn, so it is said that worshiping ‘Dhanvantari’ pleased Maa Lakshmi. ‘Dhanvantari’ wrote the Sushruta Samhita, he was the first surgeon (surgeon) in the world. People buy gold and silver, let us tell you that on the day of ‘Dhanteras’ people buy utensils and gold and silver for the houses. On the day of ‘Dhanteras’, apart from Kubera, the deity also worships Yama, behind which there is a belief that his worship does not cause untimely death in the house. Today is Chitra Nakshatra and Preity Yoga and Friday is the best day for Lakshmi Pujan. Due to the Chaturdashi date from 5.59 in the evening, the lamp will be donated on this day.