News for '-diwali-festival'

Indian consumers show renewed festive optimism

Indian consumers show renewed festive optimism

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

Indian consumers are entering the festive season with renewed confidence and financial optimism, outpacing global benchmarks, according to Deloitte India's latest Consumer Signals: India Chapter. "With inflationary pressures easing and the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) revisions enhancing purchasing power and festive cheer among consumers, this brings a new wave of consumption.

Delhi sees spike in eye injuries due to carbide guns during Diwali

Delhi sees spike in eye injuries due to carbide guns during Diwali

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

AIIMS-Delhi reports a rise in eye injuries caused by carbide guns during Diwali, prompting calls for a ban on these dangerous chemical firecrackers. Doctors report severe chemical burn-like injuries and highlight the need for stricter regulations and awareness.

Why This Diwali Will Be Very Different...

Why This Diwali Will Be Very Different...

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

'It's heartening to see that the festive energy is being driven not only by star-led blockbusters but also by fresh, content-rich films.'

India celebrates Diwali with fervour, Delhi AQI worsens

India celebrates Diwali with fervour, Delhi AQI worsens

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Buildings were decorated with colourful lights and earthen lamps dotted houses as people across the country thronged temples and celebrated Diwali with pomp on Monday.

Dhoni Balances Diwali Festivities with IPL Retention

Dhoni Balances Diwali Festivities with IPL Retention

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the cricket icon, celebrated Diwali amidst the excitement of his IPL 2025 retention.

How 2 Women Spent 8 Months At Sea

How 2 Women Spent 8 Months At Sea

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

What tasks they accomplished, how they stayed fit, what did they eat, whom did they meet, what they brought back... amazing stories from an epic voyage.

Ram Mandir security tightened as Pannun threatens to attack temple

Ram Mandir security tightened as Pannun threatens to attack temple

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

Security has been heightened around the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya following an alleged threat from pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The founder of the banned outfit 'Sikhs for Justice' reportedly threatened to attack the temple on November 16-17, coinciding with the 'Ram Vivah' festival. Ayodhya has been fortified with increased police presence, surveillance, and anti-terror measures.

DA for over 1 crore central govt staff, pensioners hiked by 3%

DA for over 1 crore central govt staff, pensioners hiked by 3%

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

The Centre on Wednesday increased the Dearness Allowance (DA) by 3 percentage points effective from July 1 this year, benefitting more than 1 crore employees and pensioners ahead of the Diwali festival. The Union Cabinet has approved to increase Dearness Allowance (DA) to central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners by three percentage points of the basic pay/pension ahead of Diwali, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said after the Cabinet meeting.

What steps taken?: SC to Delhi govt on cracker ban

What steps taken?: SC to Delhi govt on cracker ban

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih referred to newspaper reports mentioning a considerable violation of court orders.

Sunita Williams' Happy Diwali From Space

Sunita Williams' Happy Diwali From Space

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

In a video message shared from the International Space Station, the Indian-origin astronaut said that this year she had the unique opportunity to observe Diwali from 260 miles above Earth and reminisced about her father's efforts to keep their cultural roots alive by teaching her and her family about Diwali and other Indian festivals.

Surat railway authorities tackle an unusual crowd, here is how

Surat railway authorities tackle an unusual crowd, here is how

Rediff.com27 Oct 2024

The railway authorities have made arrangements by adding special trains for UP and Bihar, with a new train added for Gorakhpur in UP from Udhna on Sunday, officials said.

What Makes Kalyani Saha So Fabulous

What Makes Kalyani Saha So Fabulous

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

Shalini Passi isn't the only one ruffling up feathers on Fabulous Lives VS Bollywood Wives. Kalyani Saha Chawla is doing all that too!

How To Prevent Skin Damage This Diwali

How To Prevent Skin Damage This Diwali

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

Going to bed without removing your makeup can clog your pores and make your complexion lacklustre, cautions Dr Trupti D Agarwal.

Alia-Ranbir-Raha's Beautiful Diwali

Alia-Ranbir-Raha's Beautiful Diwali

Rediff.com2 Nov 2024

Diwali festivities with Bollywood stars and their little ones continue in full swing.

PIX: People across country celebrate Diwali with pomp

PIX: People across country celebrate Diwali with pomp

Rediff.com31 Oct 2024

Keeping up his tradition of celebrating the festival with soldiers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sir Creek near the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat's Kutch district and offered sweets to jawans.

Diwali Shopping Still Sluggish

Diwali Shopping Still Sluggish

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

While there was a 6 to 7 per cent increase in volume compared to last year in the first few days of the month which coincided with festivals, a large part of the demand is yet to hit the market.

Can't compromise on even an inch on our borders: Modi

Can't compromise on even an inch on our borders: Modi

Rediff.com31 Oct 2024

"Today there is a government in the country which cannot compromise even on one inch of the country's borders," the prime minister added.

'Vocal for Local': China anticipates losing Rs 1 lakh crore in Diwali trade

'Vocal for Local': China anticipates losing Rs 1 lakh crore in Diwali trade

Rediff.com9 Nov 2023

As the Diwali festivities kick off, Dhanteras emerges as a pivotal day for traders nationwide, with an estimated trade volume of Rs 50 thousand crore, predicts the national president of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), BC Bhartia, and secretary general Praveen Khandelwal. In his post on X, Praveen Khandelwal called on the people to patronise various women entrepreneurs. "Full support of 9 crore businessmen @CAITIndia of the country in the call of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji this Diwali #VocalForLocal and the appeal #NaariSeKharidaari of Union Minister Smt. @smritiirani ji. We are providing the country's market to all the women entrepreneurs, from small diyas to those running boutiques. You too should shop from women and visit their homes too" Khandelwal said.

Warner & His Kids' Diwali Wishes

Warner & His Kids' Diwali Wishes

Rediff.com12 Nov 2023

'Give your families a big hug heading into the year and stay connected with your loved ones. Spread positivity.'

Jawan among 2 tribal men shot dead in Manipur, shutdown called

Jawan among 2 tribal men shot dead in Manipur, shutdown called

Rediff.com20 Nov 2023

The shootout occurred at a place between Haraothel and Kobsha villages though the police are not yet sure about how it began.

Chaos at Surat station to board train to Bihar, 1 dead

Chaos at Surat station to board train to Bihar, 1 dead

Rediff.com11 Nov 2023

Passengers rushed to board the Tapti Ganga Express train from Surat railway station in the morning, causing chaos in which some people fainted, Superintendent of Police (Western Railway) Sarjo Kumari said.

India, Pak soldiers exchange Diwali sweets at LoC, but not IB

India, Pak soldiers exchange Diwali sweets at LoC, but not IB

Rediff.com12 Nov 2023

There was no traditional exchange of sweets and pleasantries between the two sides along the International Border, the officials said, attributing it to the tense situation following the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan Rangers that left a Border Security Force jawan dead.

Maratha quota activist Jarange to tour Maharashtra after Diwali

Maratha quota activist Jarange to tour Maharashtra after Diwali

Rediff.com6 Nov 2023

Activist Manoj Jarange on Monday said he will set out on a tour of Maharashtra after the Diwali festival to meet Marathas and make them aware about the issue of reservation for the community.

No fine for traffic violations in Gujarat during Diwali

No fine for traffic violations in Gujarat during Diwali

Rediff.com22 Oct 2022

The Gujarat government has announced that people will not be fined for violation of traffic rules during the Diwali festival this year.

Firecrackers banned in Delhi for 3rd consecutive yr

Firecrackers banned in Delhi for 3rd consecutive yr

Rediff.com12 Sep 2023

The Delhi government has been following the practice of banning all kinds of firecrackers for the last three years.

BJP encouraged people to flout SC ban on crackers: AAP

BJP encouraged people to flout SC ban on crackers: AAP

Rediff.com13 Nov 2023

Delhi BJP vice president Kapil Mishra hailed people for defying the cracker ban.

BJP promises higher MSP, houses, LPG @ Rs 450 in MP manifesto

BJP promises higher MSP, houses, LPG @ Rs 450 in MP manifesto

Rediff.com11 Nov 2023

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday released its manifesto for the November 17 Madhya Pradesh elections promising MSP for wheat at Rs 2,700 per quintal and paddy at Rs 3,100 and houses for beneficiaries of the state's flagship scheme 'Ladli Bahna'.

Record 16L diyas light up Ayodhya on Deepotsav as Modi attends

Record 16L diyas light up Ayodhya on Deepotsav as Modi attends

Rediff.com23 Oct 2022

Modi was on his first visit to Ayodhya after he laid the foundation stone of a Ram temple at the once disputed Ram Janmabhoomi site on August 5, 2020.

NY Guv signs legislation making Diwali a holiday in public schools

NY Guv signs legislation making Diwali a holiday in public schools

Rediff.com15 Nov 2023

In a historic move, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation making Diwali a holiday for public schools in the major American city.

How Eden Gardens fought for the WC semis and won!

How Eden Gardens fought for the WC semis and won!

Rediff.com27 Jun 2023

Aura of iconic Eden Gardens clinched it for us: CAB president

Over 10,000 people join Diwali festivities in California

Over 10,000 people join Diwali festivities in California

Rediff.com31 Oct 2012

More than 10,000 people attended the 10th annual Diwali event hosted by the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce and its Asian American Business Council at Memorial Park in Cupertino, California, on October 13.

Forex kitty swells by $6.56 bn to $531.08 bn

Forex kitty swells by $6.56 bn to $531.08 bn

Rediff.com4 Nov 2022

In the biggest weekly increase in over a year, India's forex reserves swelled by $6.56 billion to reach $531.08 billion for the week ended October 28, RBI data showed on Friday. The overall reserves, which have been on a declining spree for many months now, had dropped by $3.85 billion to $524.52 billion in the previous reporting week. The $6.5 billion jump in the reporting week is the highest since September 2021.

Kejriwal skips ED summons, campaigns in Madhya Pradesh; BJP sees red

Kejriwal skips ED summons, campaigns in Madhya Pradesh; BJP sees red

Rediff.com2 Nov 2023

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday did not appear before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in a case linked to the now scrapped Delhi excise policy and wrote to the central agency demanding the "recall" of its summons to him, calling it "vague, motivated and unsustainable in law".

M&M to deliver 1,000 units of new Thar SUV during Diwali

M&M to deliver 1,000 units of new Thar SUV during Diwali

Rediff.com13 Nov 2020

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) will deliver 1,000 units of its all-new Thar SUV during Diwali festive period, the company said on Friday. The latest version of the iconic SUV was launched on October 2, in two trims -- AX and LX -- with both petrol and diesel powertrain option, and is priced between Rs 9.8 lakh and Rs 13.75 lakh

Maha govt warns of Covid spike citing new variant, festive season

Maha govt warns of Covid spike citing new variant, festive season

Rediff.com17 Oct 2022

A health official department bulletin said the XBB variant reported in the state had "growth advantage over BA.2.75 and immune evasive property".

Diwali Bonanza! The Boss Who Gifts Cars

Diwali Bonanza! The Boss Who Gifts Cars

Rediff.com26 Oct 2022

Every week, we bring you fascinating videos, chosen by you, through your likes.

Dearness allowance of central govt staff hiked by 4%

Dearness allowance of central govt staff hiked by 4%

Rediff.com28 Sep 2022

Ahead of Diwali festival, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday increased the dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief by 4 per cent effective July 1, 2022, benefiting 41.85 lakh central government employees and 69.76 lakh pensioners. The additional instalment of DA and dearness relief (DR) is an increase of 4 per cent over the existing rate of 34 per cent of basic pay/pension. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be Rs 12,852.5 crore per annum, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur while briefing reporters about the decisions of the Union Cabinet.

Firm buying to keep the rally going in gold jewellery stocks, say analysts

Firm buying to keep the rally going in gold jewellery stocks, say analysts

Rediff.com27 Jul 2023

Stocks of gold jewellery retailers have been able to retain their sheen in 2023 despite volatile gold prices. Kalyan Jewellers, Titan, PC Jewellers, Thangamayil Jewellery, and Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri (TBZ) have rallied 21-72 per cent so far since April as compared to a 13 per cent gain in the benchmark Sensex index. The rally gained steam on the back of gold's 6 per cen

PIX: India celebrates Festival of Lights

PIX: India celebrates Festival of Lights

Rediff.com12 Nov 2023

Despite the national capital recording its best air quality on Diwali day in eight years, pollution levels may rise due to low night temperatures and sporadic burning of firecrackers though there is a ban on their manufacture, storage, sale and use within the city.

Festival season a 'critical period': BMC amid Covid fear

Festival season a 'critical period': BMC amid Covid fear

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

The metropolis saw an upward trend in daily COVID-19 cases in the second week of October.