India, Oct. 20 -- District deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar on Sunday extended Diwali greetings to residents and urged them to celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly and pollution-free manner by avoiding firecrackers

"Let us light earthen lamps, decorate our homes with traditional Indian materials, and say goodbye to firecrackers to keep our environment safe and healthy," Kumar said.

To ensure public safety during the festive period, the Health Department has been placed on high alert, Kumar said. "Emergency wards in all government hospitals have been strengthened, and additional doctors deployed to handle emergencies. Beds have been reserved in general wards for burn injury or festival-related cases.

"The administration is fully prep...