PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Deepawali was celebrated with enthusiasm and zeal across the State on Monday. Many residents in Dehradun were observed celebrating Deepawali by burning crackers, exchanging gifts with friends and family and participating in various festivities. Additionally, excitement among shopkeepers at major markets, including Paltan Bazaar and Raja Road, was notable due to increased sales this Deepawali.
It’s important to mention that, apart from Monday, many residents also celebrated Deepawali on Tuesday. This year, residents found themselves perplexed by two conflicting dates: October 20 and October 21. In light of the actual date for the celebration of Deepawali, religious scholars were also divided on the appropriate day for this year’s observance.
Resident Ritu Verma shared that she celebrated on Monday with great enthusiasm. She said that in preparation for Deepawali celebrations, every year they had geared up for a week, which included purchasing materials for Lakshmi Puja, lights, decorations and more. This year was no different, as they also bought new clothes and other items for their home for Laxmi Puja, she added.
Another resident, Monu Tyagi, expressed similar excitement about celebrating Deepawali. He and his family celebrated the festival with zeal and exchanged gifts as tokens of love with friends and relatives. Monu also said that he bought a new car this Deepawali, attributing this to the recent GST reforms.
Many other residents expressed similar excitement. On the other hand, shopkeepers in the market shared their enthusiasm regarding sales during the occasion. An electronic appliance shopkeeper, Varun Arora, said that this year, there was an increased influx of customers during the celebrations. He added that sales at his shop this year were better compared to last year, thanks to the new GST reforms benefiting residents.
