With lasers, lights and food — Kejriwal plans a ‘Community Diwali’ for Delhi like Mumbai’s Ganesh Puja

• Delhi has one of the highest levels of air pollution in the world.
  
• The city state's Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, is asking Delhi citizens to celebrate a firecracker-free 'Community Diwali' this year.
  
• The experiment will be hosted at Connaught Place from 26 October to 29 October in the evening.
  

Delhi has one of the highest levels of air pollution in the world. In a new experiment for the city, Delhi's Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal urged citizens to celebrate a 'Community Diwali' this year.

"I wish the citizens of Delhi a very happy Diwali. During this auspicious festive season, the Delhi government is busy preparing Connaught Place for the celebrations and invites everyone to come celebrate with us," said Kejriwal.

Just like people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra and Durga Puja in Bengal, Kerjiwal asked citizens to leave their homes and celebrate Diwali with the rest of the city.

"The aim of this experiment is have Delhi come together like a family and avoid bursting firecrackers," said Kejriwal in a press conference today.

The 'Community Diwali' will be held at Connaught Place from 26 October to 29 October in the evening between 6:00 and 10:00 pm. And, instead of fireworks to light up the sky, the Delhi government is going to be putting up a laser show.

"The show will light up the Connaught Place shopping area with its lasers and lights," explained Kejriwal.

Even though one laser show is only an hour long, it will play on an hourly cycle.

"I've been getting calls over the past few days asking for passes to the event… There are no passes, everyone in Delhi is invited to attend for free," said Kejriwal.

Kejriwal urged Delhi-ites to help lower the city's air pollution that normally spikes during the festive season.

In addition to the laser show, Kejriwal is also promising a bazaar, food court, and cultural shows to keep visitors entertained.

This time around Delhi's 'Community Diwali' is restricted to Connaught Place but it may expand to many more locations next year, if the experiment is successful.

See also:
India's national capital is giving the ‘odd-even' scheme another go to battle air pollution