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India Celebrates Diwali Amid Pandemic, Pollution Fears

Associated Press

   NEW DELHI - More than a billion Indians celebrated Diwali on Saturday
   amid twin concerns of a resurgence in coronavirus infections and rising
   air pollution that is enveloping the country's north in a cloud of
   thick toxic smog.

   Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is typically celebrated by
   socializing and exchanging gifts with friends and family, and lighting
   oil lamps or candles to symbolize a victory of light over darkness.
   Fireworks are also a major part of the celebrations.

   But this year, the pandemic is upending some of the celebrations in
   India, particularly in New Delhi, the capital, which has seen a renewed
   spike in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, recording more new
   cases than any other Indian state.

   On Saturday, many temples across the country streamed prayer sessions
   online to avoid large gatherings. In New Delhi, worried residents opted
   for low-key celebrations. Some even stayed home and didn't visit
   friends or relatives.

   "It's not the usual Diwali," said Vishwas Malik, 47, a professor in New
   Delhi. "The exchange of gifts is less, and we have not interacted with
   people. We have not visited people's homes because of the fear of the
   coronavirus."

   In a bid to encourage people to stay home, New Delhi's chief minister,
   Arvind Kejriwal, and some of his ministers held a prayer ceremony at a
   grand temple. The prayers were broadcast on television and social
   media.

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