What is Dilli Ki Diwali

Diwali is perhaps the most gorgeous celebration in Delhi NCR. Fireworks have been an integral part of Diwali celebrations all over India. People would happily burst crackers for about a week before and after Diwali. But the effect of this on the environment was not very happy. The poor air quality of Delhi NCR behooved corrective steps were taken to amend the situation. Among the answers to this serious pollution problem was celebrating Diwali or Deepawali (Chain of Lights) with lights but without crackers. But can one have a cracker free Diwali?

Pollution Free Diwali

Initially, the idea was a shocker. But gradually the gravity of the situation impressed upon the people and the government. Various Court orders, Green Tribunal orders, government notifications, awareness programs on media, and crackdown on sale of fireworks were deterrent measures.

In addition, the Delhi government took a positive step in offering Delhites an alternative to celebrating Diwali the fiery way. Up came the event Dilli Ki Diwali by Aam Admi Party (AAP) at Central Park, Connaught Place. They had been promoting it on mainstream media channels for some time and we could see the impact. All roads towards Connaught Place were choc a block even on holiday evenings.

The event was sort of a Diwali Mela by AAP. The interesting affair had many sparks. Like all Diwali Mela in Delhi, Dilli ki Diwali had food and shopping. For the Diwali spark, the fireworks were replaced with a mega laser show at CP.

Mega Laser Show at Dilli Ki Diwali

Diwali celebration by the Delhi Government had a lot happening for visitors. The white colonial buildings of Connaught Place came to life with the colourful Diwali messages projected on them by laser beams. The main attraction was the mega laser show. This happened on the stage at Central Park. The story of Lord Ram was given a modern twist. It was interwoven with the cracker pollution issue. The laser beams created images while a voice-over narrated the relevant text in connection thereto. It was simplistic, yet an easy way to connect with the thousands of visitors who had gathered to attend the event. The colourful laser beam outlines of Lord Ram and popular monuments of Delhi looked surreal against the dark Diwali sky. As a result of the laser show, CP dazzled in Diwali. However, there was no smoke or noise of the crackers. The pollution angel had been taking care of without compromising on the celebration quotient.

Dilli Ki Diwali attractions

Live performances at Dilli Ki Diwali

While the laser show was the promotion point of Dilli Ki Diwali, the other star attraction was live performances by celebrated artists. We heard the popular Bollywood playback singer Shruti Pathak sing at the event. On other days, they had singers Javed Ali and immensely popular band Euphoria performing at the event. Given the large turnout, not everybody could reach the stage. Hence the program was being broadcasted on giant screens placed at strategic points at the venue.

Handicraft and Shopping at Dilli Ki Diwali

A host of stalls had been set up at Central Park. A variety of clothes, gifts, and craft items were available for sale here. The goods on sale seemed to have mass appeal as a host of visitors were doing some last-minute shopping here. The craft stalls added colour as well as a fair-like feel to Dilli ki Diwali event.

Food Court at Dilli Ki Diwali

How can any fun event be completed without food? Bearing this in mind a makeshift Food Court was set up on the occasion of Dilli Ki Diwali. The good part was that the Food Court was not created inside Central Park. It was created on A and B Block parking lots in the Inner Circle of Connaught Place. Snacks and meals, both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian were available at the Food Court. The prices, we thought, were most reasonable. This was a busy zone and the stalls from Purani Dilli, particularly kababs and fruit kulfi drew heavy foot fall. We had some bhelpuri at one of the stalls. At Rs. 50 a plate, this was affordable indeed. No complaints about the taste either.

Other attractions at Dilli Ki Diwali

The organizers had made a lot of effort to make the event inclusive, entertaining, and fun generally. A giant air balloon with Dilli Ki Diwali printed on it was flying high from Central Park. Folk dancers from Rajasthan broke into happy numbers at various points at the fair. The dhol drums that they played added to the cheer. Many visitors, particularly youngsters in groups, joined the dancers and danced the evening away.

Dilli ki Diwali – why special?

Dilli ki Diwali had shown everybody an Eco-friendly way of celebrating Diwali – the Festival of Lights with lights, sweets, gifts, socialising but without polluting crackers. Given the fire hazard that bursting crackers entails, it was not only pollution-free but a safer way of celebrating Diwali. The citizens of Delhi had got the point and they waited patiently in serpentine queues for entering Central Park. Notwithstanding the heavy crowd, there was no jostling, pushing, prodding or fights among the huge assembly of visitors at the event. To summarise – Delhi was at its best behaviour and just transmitted the Diwali cheer. Moreover, it was a great leveller. People from all walks of life came together and enjoyed the festival together. The entry was free and the event open to everybody.

Pro tip

Given the popularity of the event, the roads to CP were severely clogged with vehicles. Moreover, finding parking could be tricky though we managed as we met an old acquaintance at Rajiv Gandhi Vyapar Bhawan who kindly made some arrangements for us. Lesson learnt – next time we attend an event like this at Connaught Place, we will just make our life easier and take the metro.

After the success of the laser show and overall Diwali ki Diwali by the Delhi Government, we hope they come up with more such uncomplicated and enjoyable events. Maybe with a little more traffic planning.