New Delhi : Fireworks illuminated the evening sky, earthen lamps dotted houses and lights decked up buildings as people exchanged sweets and gifts on Diwali which also witnessed bonhomie between Indian and Pakistani guards at border posts.
Children and youths burst crackers and lit fireworks while families visited their neighbours, exchanged ‘Happy Diwali’ greetings and sweets.
People also took the route of SMS, WhatsApp and social networking websites to wish each other. President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people on the occasion of Diwali saying the festival of lights strengthens the country’s resolve to follow true ethical values.
For the second successive year, Modi celebrated Diwali with troops and visited military installations associated with the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya from his exile after vanquishing demon-king Ravana.
In the national capital, people decorated their homes and shops with colourful ‘rangolis’ and flowers and lit diyas.
In the wake of sacrilege incidents in Punjab, Diwali was observed in a simple way following an appeal by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Most of the Sikhs observed the day as ‘Black Diwali’. The Golden Temple was not lit on Diwali and no firework show took place which otherwise is a regular feature on the occasion of the festival.
BSF Amritsar sector Commandant Bipul Bir Gusain handed a basket full of sweets to Pakistan Ranger Wing Commander Lt Col Bilal Ahmed at the zero line. Pleasantries were also exchanged as the soldiers hugged each other and extended Diwali greetings.
People also celebrated Diwali in other parts of the country with traditional fervour and gaiety. Devotees thronged temples and offered prayers. Bollywood turned to Twitter to greet the people and also to ask fans to go slow on sweets and and crackers. However, this year there was no Diwali release, like in 2014. Salman Khan starrer “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo” releases tomorrow.
