Latest News Today Highlights: Ayodhya to Light Over 26 Lakh Diyas for Deepotsav

On Ayodhya Deepotsav and Saryu Aarti, Guinness World Records official Nischal Barot said, "We have set a record here for the largest number of people performing Aarti together...We started counting participants from 3:00 pm onwards by giving them QR codes. Scanning the QR code accurately indicates when a person has entered, because we scan their QR code as they enter. There were over 2100 participants, so the previous record was 1774...We had two observers for every 100 people and they observe who didn't perform the Aarti properly, whether someone was sitting down, or someone didn't perform the Aarti at all...We'll announce the result on stage in front of the Chief Minister tomorrow..."

#watch | Ayodhya, UP | On Ayodhya Deepotsav and Saryu Aarti, Guinness World Records official Nischal Barot says, "We have set a record here for the largest number of people performing Aarti together...We started counting participants from 3:00 pm onwards by giving them QR codes.… pic.twitter.com/7CwV7OTtHs

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

Farrukhabad DM Ashutosh Kumar said, "A short circuit caused a fire at an under-construction bio-oil gas plant in Sadiqpur village. Commercial LPG cylinders were stored there, which further fueled the fire. No casualties have been reported... The situation is under control. A four-member committee has been formed to investigate the matter."

#watch | Farrukhabad, UP | Farrukhabad DM Ashutosh Kumar says, "A short circuit caused a fire at an under-construction bio-oil gas plant in Sadiqpur village. Commercial LPG cylinders were stored there, which further fueled the fire. No casualties have been reported... The… pic.twitter.com/wDKYTrGk3o

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

Heavy footfall of customers seen in the markets and jewellery shops in Gwalior's Sarafa Bazaar as people shop on the occasion of Dhanteras.

#watch | Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh: Heavy footfall of customers seen in the markets and jewellery shops in Gwalior's Sarafa Bazaar as people shop on the occasion of Dhanteras. Police are deployed in the area. pic.twitter.com/NUg8GQIMQJ

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

Delhi Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh said, "In our culture, diya is lit first of all. So, today, on Deepotsav as well as Dhanteras, the BJP Government has come with a fresh resolve and experience. By lighting the diyas, we have proven our resolve for the future, for the vision of Viksit Delhi."

#watch | Delhi Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh says, "In our culture, diya is lit first of all. So, today, on Deepotsav as well as Dhanteras, the BJP Government has come with a fresh resolve and experience. By lighting the diyas, we have proven our resolve for the future, for the… pic.twitter.com/uIBXHA12Yb

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

A large number of devotees performed aarti together at Saryu Ghat, in Ayodhya.

#watch | Uttar Pradesh: A large number of people perform aarti together at Saryu Ghat, in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/uG9MdbLioc

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

Heavy footfall of customers witnessed at jewellery shops at Kotla Mubarakpur market in Delhi,

#watch | Delhi: Heavy footfall of customers seen at jewellery shops at Kotla Mubarakpur market in Delhi, as they make purchases on the occasion of Dhanteras. pic.twitter.com/YRZLdJPwtO

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

On GST reforms, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "...This is a much-awaited relief which Prime Minister Modi has been telling us to get going with. We will have to do it. We have done it, so it has no implication on an election. However, elections keep coming. However, elections can have any impact on any policy, and policy can have an impact on the elections. Those are collaterals you will have to live with..."

#watch | Delhi: On GST reforms, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "...This is a much-awaited relief which Prime Minister Modi has been telling us to get going with. We will have to do it. We have done it, so it has no implication on an election. However, elections… pic.twitter.com/4MscsGDt0N

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025