Indore's Diwali celebration in Corona Era and all that is new this year.

COVID-19 pandemic has affected the whole world but in no way lessened the spirits of people who are all set to celebrate the festival of lights with the same fanfare that they do every year. Of course, this year what will change is the increased precautions and awareness towards health, to ensure that the festivities do not end on a dangerous note. This year Dhanteras will be celebrated on two days 12th and 13th November, followed by Roop Chaturdashi which is also divided into two days, 13th and 14th November. 14th November will be the official day for Mahalakshmi Puja, 15th November for Gowardhan Puja and 16th November’s Bhaidooj festival will mark the end of the five days of festivities. This Diwali shall prove to be unique in a lot of ways, from progressive donation drives to the much-needed restrictions on bursting firecrackers here’s all that is new this Diwali.

• Section 144 for bursting crackers

Indore’s Collector Manish Singh has imposed section 144 for prohibiting people from bursting excess crackers on the festival of Diwali, seeing as how the pollution levels in the city rise from its current medium status. According to the restrictive order, people can burst crackers from 8 p.m. till 10 p.m. only, after which legal action would be taken against those who break the law.

The order also specifies the selling of only green crackers in the city; all others are banned and prohibited in the municipal corporation jurisdiction. The imposed law has been sanctioned from 12th November to 1st January 2021. Keeping in mind the NGT guideline to ban firecrackers in all cities with high pollution, and seeing Indore’s record it usually raises from medium to high after the Diwali festival, this action has been bought into effect until the New year, which is another high time for people to burst crackers.

• Spreading joy to the less fortunate

This Diwali a lot of NGO’s and Donation Drives have geared up to make the festival a happy one for those who cannot afford the frivolities of celebrations. FICCI FLO Indore Team in association with the NGO Robinhood army has taken an initiative this Diwali to give aid to underprivileged women and children. FLO Indore has installed drop boxes at Treasure Island and C21 mall where people can come and donate notebooks, blankets, kids’ clothes, sports items, and dry ration (rice & pulses). People have also participated in various donation drives to give out notebooks and various types of stationery for children who are unable to continue their studies due to a lack of money.

• The boom of Ayurvedic gift hampers

Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce has prepared a special gift pack of herbal indigenous roots and teas. Indoris have shown immense interest in these gift hampers, buying them as the perfect present for their loved ones this Diwali amidst the pandemic. The forest gift pack has variants of Ashwagandha, Trikatu, Giloy, Kalmegh, and Herbal Tea. Other than this, a special pack of Chaywanprash and natural forest honey is also receiving love from customers. Other such herbal and Ayurvedic products have gained a special market in the country and with Diwali becoming the perfect occasion to gift them.

Team Indore Talk wishes all its viewers a very happy, prosperous, and safe Diwali! We hope that you celebrate this year this joyous occasion keeping your health and safety in mind.

We urge all our viewers and followers to support the government and the authorities in their endeavor to fight this pandemic in the country. We urge them to not panic and stay positive and kind to all those who are battling with this virus, stay aware and safe, and assist the authorities in any way you can to prevent further spreading of this virus.

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