People watch fireworks along the banks of the Sarayu River, on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ayodhya on October 30, 2024. - Photo: AFP
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (Oct 31) greeted the people on the occasion of Deepavali and wished everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous life.
“Many happy wishes to the countrymen on Deepawali. On this divine festival of lights, I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous life. May everyone prosper with the blessings of Maa Lakshmi and Lord Shri Ganesha,” PM Modi said on X.
President Droupadi Murmu said that Deepavali is a festival of happiness and enthusiasm, noting that the festival symbolises the victory of knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also greeted people on Deepavali and wished that the festival brought them new energy, enthusiasm and positivity.
“Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all of you on the great festival of lights, Deepawali. May this festival bring new energy, enthusiasm and positivity in the life of all of you. I pray to Maa Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha that all of your lives be filled with happiness, prosperity and good fortune,” CM Dhami said on X.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also wished everyone a very happy and prosperous Deepavali.
“Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi wishes everyone a very happy and prosperous Diwali and emphasises his commitment to building a developed Odisha and taking its glory to new heights,” Odisha CMO said.
Known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, Deepavali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Meanwhile, on the occasion of Deepavali, the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple is set to be illuminated with 10,000 diyas in Gujarat’s capital city Gandhinagar as part of Diwali celebrations.
A 55-foot idol of Bhagwan Swaminarayan will also be installed on Diwali, and its Pranpratishtha ceremony will be held on November 11.
Speaking to ANI, Jayesh Mandanka, a ‘swayamsevak’ at Akshardham Temple said, “For the last 32 years, Akshardham Temple has been decorated just like this every Diwali with 10,000 diyas. This year too, it will continue till November 8 from 6 pm to 7.45 pm every evening. A beautiful glow garden has also been built here.”
“An 55-foot idol of Bhagwan Swaminarayan is also being installed. It has been built with ‘panchdhatu’. The Pranpratishtha of the idol will take place on November 11,” said Jayesh Mandanka.
Separately, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday (Oct 31) spoke about Delhi pollution and preparations that the Delhi government would be following post Deepavali.
Speaking to ANI, Delhi Environment Minister said, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi remains under ‘very poor’ category. Some areas in particular, the AQI level is extremely high.
Rai also mentioned that Deepavali is going to be celebrated tonight, hence it is an important night for Delhi and its people. He also requested that people should avoid burning crackers in order to control pollution in the state.
“Delhi air quality is ‘persists under very poor’ category. In Some areas in particular, the AQI level is high. Today being Deepavali, tonight is extremely important for us. If all of us together have to celebrate Diwali in high spirits, by lighting Diyas and distribute sweets. But keep in mind one thing that we have to avoid burning crackers so that the children and elderly people at our homes could breathe easily and be safe. The pollution caused by crackers should not harm anyone,” he said.
Gopal Rai further mentioned that he thinks that if the people in Delhi plan on avoiding of burning crackers, Delhi would not witness any smog a day after Deepavali, that we see every year.
“I think if people in Delhi plan on avoiding burning crackers, we would not see any smog post Diwali, that usually people in Delhi witness every year. I request everyone to avoid crackers and the pollution caused by it so that we can save everyone at home,” he added.
On asked about the selling of crackers in the city, Delhi Environment Minister said Delhi Police patrolling at night would be increased. We have been tracking people selling crackers and the team on ground are trying to control the situation.
As far as selling of crackers are concerned, the Delhi Police team are on ground is working to control the situation. Patrolling would be increased at night for safety reasons. But I still want to say, why is it important to burn crackers? I think and believe, as human beings it is our duty to not pollute the city.
Furthermore, Gopal Rai told ANI, that the Delhi government is trying to monitor every situation. He then said that the state government would take necessary steps according to the circumstances that would be faced.
“Such incidents (of bursting firecrackers) are coming to notice and the police are working on them on the ground. Such incidents happening at night will also be stopped. I believe it is more important than police enforcement that we all fulfil our duty to humanity. We are trying to monitor every situation. And whatever the circumstance would be, Delhi government would take necessary steps,” he said. - The Statesman/ANN
