India Shines Bright: Millions Celebrate Diwali

Millions of Indians are celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, which is widely observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains.

During Diwali, lamps and firecrackers light up homes and streets, contributing to worsened air pollution, particularly in northern India where air quality is already poor in winter.

This year, the Supreme Court in Delhi has allowed the sale and use of "green crackers" to help reduce air pollution, overturning a ban on firecrackers in place since 2020.

Critics question the effectiveness of "green crackers," which claim to emit 20–30% less pollution compared to traditional firecrackers.

Despite efforts by some states to restrict or ban firecrackers to combat air pollution, the rules are often disregarded, leading to a further decline in air quality post-Diwali.

Diwali is not just about fireworks; food plays a central role in the celebrations, with families sharing traditional Indian sweets and enjoying festive meals with curries, snacks, and special breads.

Leading up to Diwali, people clean and decorate their homes, shop for new clothes, and exchange traditional sweets as gifts with loved ones. Many also create rangoli designs for good luck and worship the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, on the day of Diwali.

The appeal of Diwali transcends religion, attracting people from diverse communities and faiths to partake in the festivities, boosting the economy through increased shopping for sweets, gifts, decorations, and firecrackers.

The festival fosters unity among communities as individuals of various faiths come together to celebrate, decorating their homes with colorful paper lanterns and joining in the joyous spirit of the occasion.