Miscellaneous News

Videos showed a heavy rush of people at Delhi's Sarojini Nagar market for Diwali shopping a day ahead of the festival. Several vendors were seen selling different types of decoration items for the festival. Videos also showed many people checking out new clothes to purchase for Diwali and other festivals. Diwali will be celebrated on November 8 across the country.

Japan's Ambassador to India ONO Keiichi celebrated Diwali with Indian and Japanese embassy staff, marking his third Diwali in India. The celebrations featured diyas, rangoli, marigold garlands, and a festive lunch, with staff dressed in traditional Indian attire. The ambassador shared a video and called it his most memorable Diwali yet.

Paramjeet Dhankhar was shot dead by neighbour Mohan alias Monu Sharma following a parking dispute in Faridabad's Sector 21C on Friday night. The accused fired 15–16 rounds from a licensed pistol, with 8–9 bullets hitting the victim. Sharma fled with his family. Police, Crime Branch, and FSL teams are at the spot; a manhunt is underway.

The Annapurna Math Mandir in Varanasi opened its doors to devotees on Friday, marking the start of the annual five-day darshan festival on Dhanteras. Mahant Shankar Puri Maharaj performed Maha Aarti at 4 am; public entry began at 5 am. Around 10 lakh pilgrims are expected through Annakut.

The man who reported a ₹1.5 crore robbery in Lucknow's Ashiyana area has been arrested along with four others for orchestrating the theft. Police called it a planned conspiracy after CCTV and technical evidence exposed the plot. ₹1.23 crore, an XUV, a motorcycle, and a pistol were recovered from suspects arrested in Lucknow and Gujarat.

Residents of over 10 villages near Vellode Bird Sanctuary in Erode, Tamil Nadu, are celebrating their 20th consecutive cracker-free Deepavali to protect thousands of nesting birds. Species like Painted Stork, Grey Heron, and migratory birds from Siberia and Australia visit the 240-acre sanctuary between October and March. Villagers forgo firecrackers to prevent noise from disrupting the breeding season.

Pune Police arrested 30-year-old Haider Salim Irani on Thursday after laying a trap at a railway station. He was accused of snatching a gold chain from a woman last week and linked to 10 chain-snatching cases across Pune district. A black motorcycle allegedly used to commit the crimes was also seized.

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and Legal Action Aid celebrated Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas with inmates of State After Care Home (Nari Niketan), Amritsar, distributing sweets, clothes and gifts. Senior judicial officers attended the event. Legal Action Aid also urged people to avoid firecrackers, citing air and noise pollution and harm to birds and animals.

EU Ambassador to India Jean-Eric Paquet shared a video of his first Diwali celebration, dressed in traditional Indian attire. He lit a lamp amid marigold and rose petal décor, saying the experience 'will stay with me forever.' He celebrated with the EU delegation, highlighting light, togetherness, food, and diversity as the festival's essence.

Government Railway Police (GRP) recovered unaccounted cash worth ₹1.40 crore from a suspect identified as 36-year-old Rahul Soni at Kharagpur Junction in West Bengal. Officials found 280 bundles of ₹500 notes in his luggage after he allegedly attempted to flee during a routine security check. Soni was detained, and GRP and Income Tax officials launched an investigation.