Mumbai lights up for Diwali, shoppers flood markets

MUMBAI - Mumbai wore a vibrant look Thursday, a day ahead of the festival of lights. People were seen thronging shopping centres, malls and small street bazaars for their last minute Diwali shopping.

Stalls selling rangoli colours and firecrackers dotted the city and gave it a colourful, festive look. With more and more people becoming environment conscious, firecracker dealers were seen giving heavy discounts on purchase of big quantities of crackers.

Aerial comets, guns and low sound bombs were some of the new additions to the huge collection of fireworks.

Shopping centres and malls were lit up with dazzling lights and offered heavy discounts for shoppers.

However, residents of south Mumbai were inconvenienced due to US President Barack Obama’s visit Nov 6.

Hawkers and street vendors were forced to leave areas where Obama is visiting, thereby making it difficult for people to go about their purchase of vegetables, rangoli colours and crackers.

Moreover, ferry services from the Gateway of India to Alibaug and Elephanta have also been terminated for three days. “Now we cannot plan a weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of this city. The ferry ride comes in very handy,” said George D’Costa, a resident of south Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan extended Diwali greeting to the people.

“There are few parallels to the beautiful festival of Diwali anywhere in the world. Diwali signifies the victory of knowledge over the darkness of ignorance,” he said.

“I appeal to the people to celebrate the festival by sharing their joy with the poor and the less privileged,” he added.