Diwali celebrations by members of Indian diaspora begin across NY
New York, Oct 20: Diwali celebrations have begun across New York by members of the Indian diaspora, spreading the message of the Indian festival of lights across communities here.
From Times Square in the heart of Manhattan to Pennsylvania, the Indian-American community has begun celebrations to mark Diwali, which is on October 31. “Diwali @ TimesSquare : Indian American Community & American Friends join together at Times Square to celebrate Diwali,” the Indian Consulate in New York said in a post on X.
Consul General of India in New York Binaya Pradhan joined “friends from Indian-American Community & American friends to celebrate Diwali”, at Times Square, the post added.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar also joined the celebration at the event organised by Neeta Bhasin.
Deputy Consul General Varun Jeph joined the Diwali celebrations by Khalsa Asian American Association in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania along with members of the Indian diaspora and Asian American community.
“Thank you @UpperDarbyPA Mayor Ed Brown and PA State Senator Tim Kearny @SenTimKearney for joining the celebrations and for your support to the Indian American community & fostering India-US ties,” the consulate said in another post on X. (PTI)
North Korea sends about 20 trash balloons toward South
Seoul, Oct 20: North Korea has floated about 20 balloons carrying trash toward South Korea, and some 10 objects from the balloons were found in the border county of Cheorwon, the South Korean military said on Sunday.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the trash-loaded balloons were sent across the border between Saturday night and early Sunday and the fallen objects were household waste, such as paper and vinyl, and included no hazardous items, Yonhap news agency reported.
The number of dropped items does not necessarily correspond to the number of balloons, as each balloon, which measures approximately 2 to 3 meters in diameter and 3 to 4 meters in length, usually contains several smaller bags.
Since late May, the North has launched more than 5,000 trash balloons to South Korea in retaliation against anti-Pyongyang leaflets launched by activists and North Korean defectors in the South. (IANS)