India celebrates Diwali under shadow of Covid and air pollution

Celebrations back in full swing for first time since pandemic began but many fear festival will bring fresh surge

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It is the festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, and this year Diwali held a special significance for India as it got back into full swing for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Oil lamps lit up windows, shops, homes and monuments across the capital, Delhi, and devotees gathered at temples and shrines, as excitement over the festival, severely dampened last year by Covid-19, gripped the country once more.