- Diwali celebration and air pollution.
- Record illumination in Uttar Pradesh.
- Pollution control efforts in India.
Fireworks erupted over a sacred river in northern India, igniting over 2.2 million lanterns for a duration of 45 minutes. This incident occurred mere days after two cities in the country were designated as having the worst air quality globally.
Despite concerns about air pollution, millions of people in India have celebrated Diwali, with residents of Uttar Pradesh establishing a Guinness World Record for the mass lighting of oil lamps.
Amidst the Hindu festival, residences and thoroughfares throughout the nation were illuminated with resplendent hues of light.
Holy Site and Spiritual Significance
Over 2.22 million oil lamps were ignited near the Saryu river in northern India’s Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, bordering Nepal.
The place is sacred to Hindus because Ram is their most revered deity.
Saturday night’s lamps blazed for 45 minutes while riverbank spectators performed Hindu hymns.
After the lamp count, Yogi Adityanath, the state’s top elected official, received a certificate.
As a national holiday in India, Diwali is also celebrated with parties and gifts.
Numerous individuals ignite candles, earthen oil lamps, and pyrotechnics. Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, is honoured with a nighttime prayer.
The festival occurred amidst concerns regarding air pollution in India, where the air quality index recorded a “hazardous” level of 400-500, which is over ten times the international safety threshold.
Kolkata and New Delhi were identified as the two cities globally with the most severe air pollution earlier this week.
On Saturday, unanticipated precipitation and strong winds reduced the level to 220, according to the Central Pollution Control Board of India, which is operated by the government.
Pollution Mitigation Efforts
In an effort to reduce air pollution, the capital of India is implementing vehicle restrictions; on odd days, private vehicles with odd license plates will be permitted on the highways, while those with even license plates will be permitted on alternate days.
Due to increasing pyrotechnic use, air pollution will rise by Diwali.
In certain Indian states, the sale of fireworks has been prohibited, and inhabitants have been advised to use “green crackers” instead, which produce fewer pollutants. However, previous instances have demonstrated a tendency to disregard comparable prohibitions and recommendations.
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