Diwali celebrations begin with fervour

Diwali celebrations began across the nation with religious fervour. Temples and other significant Hindu religious sites were decorated to mark the 'festival of lights'. In Ayodhya, this year, Diwali will be celebrated on a grand scale. The majestic 'Ram Ki Paidi' Ghat was dotted with colourful lights for the mega celebrations. The site will be illuminated with around nine lakhs earthen lamps on the eve of Diwali to set a record. In Vrindavan, hundreds of widows broke the social taboos and joined the Diwali celebrations at the Yamuna ghats. They lit up colouful diyas and drew rangolis. This is the ninth year in a row when widows participated in the celebration of lights, organised by Sulabh Hope Foundation under the mentorship of Eminent Social reformer Dr Bindeshwar Pathak. In Jammu, the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel celebrated Diwali at the international border in RS Pura area. "Diwali is a festival of happiness. BSF is celebrating Diwali with school children, people from civil administration, public representatives like a family. It feels really good. We are away from our actual homes, but this place is also our home. We do our duty here 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year and we celebrate our festivals here. We are committed to protecting our borders, our jawans are doing our duty well so that our countrymen can celebrate their festivals. Happy Diwali to everyone," said Surjeet Singh, DIG, BSF.