India, Oct. 22 -- Even as Gurugram's air quality index (AQI) slipped dangerously close to the red zone on Diwali night following the Supreme Court's relaxation on the NCR firecracker ban, several city residents and housing societies chose to celebrate the festival differently, by embracing sustainability and promoting the theme of a "Green Diwali, Safe Diwali."

While fireworks and dense smog dominated parts of the city, many communities focused on environment-friendly festivities and local empowerment. Some resident welfare associations (RWAs) encouraged residents to buy traditional diyas directly from local artisans instead of ordering mass-produced decorative items online.

In Ardee City, Sector 52, residents undertook a pre-Diwali cle...