Lucknow, March 1: As Ramzan approaches, the streets around Akbari Gate in Nakhas, Lucknow, are abuzz with activity. The vibrant markets are filled with people eager to shop for the holy month, with excitement building for the upcoming celebrations.

For many, this is a time of joy, and the enthusiasm is evident as shoppers scour the stalls. Shopkeepers too are energised, witnessing the surge in footfall. Dates, chips, papads, and clothes are in demand, as preparations ramp up for the special occasion.

reporter spoke to several locals about the preparations taking place in the city.

Farah Khan shared, “It feels wonderful to get ready for Ramzan, picking up outfits, and gearing up to keep Roza. We’re in the midst of preparations, and we’re excited. After our shopping spree, we’ll focus on Eid celebrations, but for now, it’s all about Ramzan.”

Mohammad Urtusam said, “The excitement around Ramzan is palpable. Look at the crowd shopping around – everyone’s gearing up for this beautiful time of the year.”

Mohammad Siddiqui Khan expressed his joy, saying, “Ramzan, the month of blessings, has begun. I am overwhelmed with happiness. This is the month of Allah’s mercy, and I pray for forgiveness for all those who have passed. Right now, we’re stocking up on household essentials. The shops will quiet down for a few days, but In Sha Allah, once the moon is sighted, the shopping frenzy will pick up again. It’s truly a blessed month.”

Ubaid Ullah added, “The market is lively, and it will only get busier as the evening draws near. This is the month of Ramzan, and the energy only grows. People shop for the festival, for weddings – it’s a time of celebration. Ramzan starts tomorrow, In Sha Allah. There’s so much happiness in the air, and we thank Allah for giving us life to witness this blessed occasion. May we continue celebrating festivals like this for years to come.”

A local woman shared her thoughts, “This is a sacred time for all of us. We pray that everyone, regardless of their background, finds blessings in this month. While Ramzan is primarily a time for worship, we each prepare in our own way – through food, clothing, and other traditions.”

In India, moon-sighting committees will observe the skies at 6 pm on March 1. If the crescent moon is visible, Ramzan will begin on March 2. If not, the first day of fasting will be on March 3.

New Delhi, March 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed authorities on Saturday to ensure the free movement of people on all roads in Manipur starting March 8, warning them of strict action against those creating obstructions.

The directive came during a high-level review meeting at 11 am in the North Block Home Ministry.

Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla, senior Army officials, and top paramilitary officers were present. This was the first meeting on the Manipur crisis following the imposition of the President’s Rule in the state.

The primary focus of the meeting was to restore normalcy and peace in Manipur, which has been grappling with ethnic violence between the two groups — Kuki and Meitei — since May 2023. The state has witnessed nearly two years of unrest, resulting in over 200 deaths.

According to the Home Ministry statement, during the meeting, the Home Minister instructed officials to take strict action against extortion in the state.

He also directed that work on fencing both sides of the entry points along the international border with Manipur should be expedited.

Additionally, a decision was made to dismantle the entire network involved in drug trafficking to make Manipur drug-free.

The security review followed an ultimatum issued by Governor Bhalla on February 20, urging individuals to surrender illegal and looted weapons.

In the seven-day period since the announcement, more than 300 weapons have been surrendered, mainly in the valley districts. Among them, 246 firearms were handed over by the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol.

This was followed by the meeting held by Amit Shah on Friday regarding the Rohingya and illegal immigration situation in Delhi. He directed Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and the Delhi Police to intensify efforts in identifying and deporting Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegal immigrants, calling them a “threat to national security.”

New Delhi, March 1: Delhi Forest and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday announced a ban from April 1 on sale of fuel to vehicles older than 15 years and constituted a team to identify and restrict movement of overage, polluting vehicles in the city.

Addressing media persons after a meeting, Sirsa said, “Special gadgets are being installed at petrol pumps to identify vehicles older than 15 years so that they are not sold fuel.”

He said the gadgets have been installed in almost 80 per cent of petrol pumps in Delhi and all pumps will be covered by March 31.

“From April 1, the ban on sale of fuel to 15-year-old vehicles will be enforced strictly,” he said, adding that the Delhi government, through the petroleum ministry, is sending an advisory to all petrol pump owners about the ban.

The Minister said the government has also formed a special team to identify vehicles that are older than 15 years and coordinate measures to prevent their entry into the city.

He said the special focus will be on diesel vehicles entering Delhi from other states.

Other decisions taken at the meeting include a mandatory provision for owners of high-rise buildings and hotels to install anti-smog guns.

Officials said the issue of cloud seeding was also discussed and it may be one of the options before the administration when the need arises during smog-heavy months.

The slew of measures on preparing for bad air days around autumn are part of the BJP-led Delhi government’s promise of fighting toxic air in the city.

Over the years, Delhi’s severe air pollution crisis has become a flashpoint for political rivalry, with competing parties blaming each other instead of collaborating on solutions.

In the run-up to the just-concluded Assembly elections, the BJP accused the previous AAP of failure to tackle the problem, particularly over stubble burning in Punjab, a state governed by the AAP, and dust from poorly-maintained city roads.