Goa, Oct. 21 -- Happiness and festive excitement returned to Delhi's markets on Sunday as the sale of green firecrackers commenced ahead of Diwali, following the Supreme Court's approval of certified eco-friendly crackers this year.

Sadar Bazar, one of the city's busiest wholesale markets, saw long queues outside firecracker shops as families, many with children, eagerly waited to make their festive purchases.

Shopkeepers attended to customers carefully, ensuring that every packet carried the NEERI stamp and scanner code, confirming them as "green crackers."

"We are really thankful to the Supreme Court for allowing green firecrackers this Diwali. It is such a special festival for us, and every year we miss celebrating it fully because ...