28 Oct : The festival of lights, Diwali, where the lights signify victory of good over the evil within every human being is celebrated across the country with traditional fervour and zeal.Lighting of lamps and burning of crackers on this day signify victory of good over the evil.Diwali is celebrated to commemorate return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after completing 14 years in exile and killing demon king Ravana.The festival is celebrated on the first day of the lunar month of Kartik, which comes in the month of October or November.
Markets are flooded with gift items in different varieties and with different price tags but due to continuing global financial crisis, there has been a lack of customers in the markets.
Keeping in view recent terror attacks in various parts of the country, tight security arrangements have been made by the police to avert any untoward incident.
Prez, VP, PM greet people on Diwali
President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have greeted the people on the occasion of Diwali.Conveying her warm greetings and good wishes, the President said, "May this year’s festival bring peace, prosperity and communal harmony".
"Diwali, the festival of light, signifies the triumph of righteousness and victory of good over evil within every human being," she said.In a separate message, the Vice President said Diwali has always been a great unifying force. "May this festival usher in peace, prosperity and happiness in the lives of all citizens," he said.
The Prime Minister said Diwali is an important occasion for promoting brotherhood and fellow feeling among all sections of the people."The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and reflects the true spirit of our composite culture," he said in another message.