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Diwali shoppers jam roads

BHOPAL: All roads leading to various shopping areas here in the State capital were choked with more vehicles on Friday than ever before. The Diwali rush this year has been without parallel.

The number of cars and two-wheelers on Bhopal’s roads has gone up phenomenally in the recent past. According to automobile dealers here, the number of new vehicles hitting the roads was very high on “Dhan Teras” day two days ago which marks the beginning of Diwali festivities and is considered very auspices for acquiring new assets.The Diwali shoppers crowded the city markets that were already cramped with shops overflowing on the pavements and open spaces with makeshift stalls of sweets, dry fruits, clay lamps, toy-pistols and Chinese decorative lights.

Despite spiralling prices, the shopkeepers were swamped with the last-minute rush.

Crackers were also in great demand, especially with the markets flooded with Chinese crackers selling at virtually half the prices.

In a gesture of friendship, the Border Security Force at Attari Joint Check Post (JCP) on Friday gifted sweets to their Pakistani Counterparts, the Rangers, on the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights.

BSF Commandant Bhagat Singh Tolia gifted a wrapped basket of traditional Indian sweets like halwa, burfi and gulab jaman along with fruits to Pakistani Wing Commander Tariq Zanjua at the zero line at the international Border.

The soldiers of both sides exchanged pleasantries with each other and were seen in a relaxed mood.

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeswar and Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday greeted people of the state on the occasion of Diwali. In his message the Governor said the festival of lights is a symbol of prosperity which inspires everyone towards national unity and cohesion.

The Chief Minister, in her message, said the festival strengthens bonds of brotherhood and unity among the people.

She appealed to the people to celebrate Diwali without polluting the environment. - PTI

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Diwali shoppers jam roads

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