As the festive lights of Diwali fade, a thick blanket of smog engulfs the skies, with air pollution levels rising sharply across major cities in Rajasthan, Delhi and other states.
"Because of the GST rates reduction, people bought more clothes, sweets, and decorative items. The enthusiasm was at an all-time high, and our society broke all previous records for fireworks," Vijay Singh, a local resident said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, at the Vice-President's Enclave on Monday. The Vice-President warmly received the Prime Minister, and the two leaders exchanged Deepawali greetings on the occasion, Vice President's Secretariat said in a release.<
"On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I extend my warm greetings and hearty wishes to all Indians and friends of India, both in the country and abroad," Vice President Radhakrishnan posted on X.
President of India Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan on Sunday extended greetings to the nation on the eve of Diwali, wishing joy, prosperity, and peace to all citizens in India and abroad.
Former President Kovind and Vice President Radhakrishnan exchanged Diwali greetings at the Vice President's Enclave (Uparashtrapati Bhavan) in the national capital.
India's retail inflation is expected to decline further in October 2025, driven by a high base effect, delayed seasonality in food prices, and the full impact of recent GST reforms, according to a report by Union Bank of India.
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Sunday hit back at the NDA's "jungle raj" jibe, claiming acute poverty and a rise in crime under the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar.