Mishap will dampen Diwali celebrations

Neeraj Bagga
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 20

The upcoming Diwali celebrations are likely to be subdued in the wake of Friday’s train accident.

Daljit Singh Bedi, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) secretary and spokesperson, said the fireworks scheduled on the occasion of Gurpurb of Guru Ram Dass on October 26 had been cancelled. A decision on the Diwali (Bandi Chhor) fireworks will be taken in a couple of days, he added.

Shri Durgiana Committee secretary Harish Taneja said a decision to scale down the Diwali celebrations would be taken during the forthcoming meeting of the committee.

Meanwhile, local traders are apprehensive that the tragedy would cast a shadow on their business over the next few weeks.

Amritsar Fireworks Association president Harish Dhawan said the accident had dampened the festive spirit. “Children and teenagers may buy crackers, but others are likely to avoid spending on the same.”

Amritsar Milk Halwai Association president Charanjit Singh Pappu said, “The trade of all kinds of items associated with Diwali, including sweatmeats, gift packs and toys, is likely to witness a slump.”