Diwali | DD News

December 11, 2025 2:01 PM

Indian missions worldwide celebrate Diwali’s inclusion in UNESCO heritage list

Indian missions across the world marked the inclusion of Diwali in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a move that gives the festival global cultural recognition. The inscription came during a week-long meeting of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at Delhi’s Red Fort, where 67 nominations from nearly 80 countries were examined. In Jamaica, Indian High Commissioner Mayank Joshi and UNESCO Car...

December 10, 2025 5:33 PM

Deepavali added to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List; PM Modi welcomes global recognition

Deepavali has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee, held at the Red Fort in New Delhi. The inscription was adopted on Wednesday in the presence of Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Culture officials, international experts, and delegates from 194 member states. Addressing the gathering, Shekhawat said the recognition is a moment of pride for...

October 22, 2025 9:06 AM

Trump hosts Diwali celebrations at White House, calls PM Modi ‘great person’

US President Donald Trump hosted a special Diwali event at the White House, where he termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi “a great person” and said he loves “the people of India.” The event was attended by the Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra, the new US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Leading business leaders from the Indian diaspora were also part of the celebrations. Trump lit the diya in the Oval Of...

October 21, 2025 3:42 PM

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta meets PM Modi, extends Diwali greetings

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended Diwali greetings during a courtesy visit. In a post on X, CM Gupta expressed her gratitude after meeting PM Modi, describing him as “the world’s most popular leader and India’s illustrious Prime Minister.” “Paid a courtesy visit to the world’s most popular leader and India’s illustrious Prime Minister, Hon’ble Narendra Modi ji, and conveyed heartfelt Diwali greetings. The esteemed Prime Mi...

October 21, 2025 2:59 PM

Operation Sindoor reflected Lord Ram’s teachings to fight injustice: PM Modi in Deepavali letter to Nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Deepavali greetings to the people of India on Tuesday, drawing a parallel between the teachings of Lord Ram and India’s recent military operation, Operation Sindoor. In a letter addressed to the nation, the Prime Minister said that the operation exemplified the country’s resolve to uphold righteousness and avenge injustice - values central to Lord Ram’s life and message. “This is the second Deepavali after the grand construction of the Ram Temple in...

October 21, 2025 12:42 PM

‘May India-Israel partnership continue to flourish’: PM Modi thanks Netanyahu for Diwali greetings, extends birthday wishes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday thanked his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for his warm Diwali greetings and extended heartfelt wishes to him on his birthday. In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Thank you, my dear friend, for your warm Diwali greetings. I also extend my heartiest wishes on your birthday. Wishing you good health and success. May India–Israel Strategic Partnership continue to flourish in the years to come.” PM Modi’s message came a day after Netanyahu extended...

October 21, 2025 10:54 AM

‘Light’s victory over darkness’: Trump, Netanyahu and other world leaders extend Diwali greetings

World leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, extended warm Diwali greetings as India celebrated the festival of lights with great enthusiasm and devotion on Monday. In his message, Trump described Diwali as the “victory of light over darkness” and extended his best wishes to those celebrating in the United States and around the world. “Today, I send my best wishes to every American celebrating Diwali - the ‘Festival of Lights,’” ...

October 20, 2025 3:55 PM

UK PM Keir Starmer extends wishes on Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday extended warm greetings to people across Britain and the world on the occasion of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas. Recalling his recent visit to India, Starmer said he lit a diya in Mumbai as a symbol of devotion, joy, and renewed friendship between the two nations. "Wishing Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs across Britain a joyful and peaceful Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas. Earlier this month, I lit a diya in Mumbai as a symbol of devotion, joy, and renewed bonds. ...

October 20, 2025 11:35 AM

JP Nadda, Jitendra Singh wish countrymen new light and hope on Diwali

Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh on Monday extended their greetings to the nation on the occasion of Diwali, wishing new light and hope to all countrymen. In a post on X, Union Health Minister Nadda prayed for the darkness of ignorance to be dispelled by the light of knowledge. “I extend my heartfelt wishes of Alok Purb Diwali to all fellow countrymen. On this sacred occasion of Deepotsav, may the darkness of ignorance be dispelled by the light of knowledge in everyone's life. I w...

October 20, 2025 10:48 AM

Dubai Shines Bright as Diwali Celebrations Illuminate the City

The festival of lights has arrived, and Dubai is aglow with joy and celebration as residents and visitors mark Diwali with traditional fervour and cultural vibrancy. Streets, markets, and landmarks across the city have come alive with lights, music, and festive décor, capturing the essence of the Indian festival that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness. In Bur Dubai, fondly known as “Mini India,” rows of traditional lamps and shimmering decorations adorn shopfronts and buildings,...