India braces for fiery Diwali festival

Tight security measures applied for annual Hindu celebrations imperiled with huge crowds and major firework displays.

The annual Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, started on Thursday. The celebrations mark the start of the new year for Hindus and it is a time for prayer and fun.

But the festival has proven to be perilous as hundreds of millions of people take part in the celebrations, which include major firework displays.

The government has prepared for the day with various security measures, including boosting police presence and putting emergency and medical personnel on alert.

Al Jazeera’s Nidhi Dutt reports from India’s capital New Delhi.

Source: Al Jazeera