India news: New Delhi sends medical aid to Afghanistan

A rare March fog blanketed the Indian capital of New Delhi and the surrounding suburbs of Ghaziabad and Noida on Saturday morning after rainfall the previous evening. 

The unusual weather conditions were also marked by low temperatures and an improved air quality index (AQI). 

On Friday, New Delhi witnessed its coldest March day in six years with a maximum temperature of  21.7 degrees Celsius, official weather data showed . 

People in the city also breathed the cleanest air in five months with the AQI in the 'moderate' category.

Heavy rainfall has been soaking New Delhi over the last few days. 

The rainfall accompanied with gusty winds and thunderstorms also disrupted flight operations in the capital earlier this week.

I, for one, certainly held my breath as I made my way back to New Delhi last evening on a very turbulent flight from Chennai. 

 

Eid al-Fitr celebrations have begun in India as millions of Muslims in the country mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in which fasting takes place from dawn to sunset.

The Muslim holiday is observed based on the sighting of the crescent moon during Chaand Raat (Night of the Moon), that heralds the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal. 

Early on Saturday, worshippers gathered in several mosques across India to offer prayers. 

In the capital New Delhi, devotees bowed in prayer at one of India's largest and iconic mosques — the Jama Masjid — and exchanged greetings amid a blanket of an unusual March fog. 

The sweet aroma of festive dishes like seviyan (vermicelli pudding) and the lingering fragrance of henna has taken over households as preparations begin for scrumptious family feasts.

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on different days across the world depending on local moon sightings.

The southern Indian state of Kerala, for example, observed the festival on Friday — a day earlier than the rest of the country.

It all comes down to the traditional practice of looking up at the sky to physically sight the moon. 

People in Kerala saw the silver crescent moon on Thursday evening. 

On Saturday, Eid greetings also poured in from Indian leaders. 

India's President Droupadi Murmu extended his wishes:

"This festival teaches us the lessons of self-restraint, service, charity, and compassion towards the deprived classes. Let us, on this occasion, resolve to strengthen our society and nation."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:

"Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day further brotherhood and kindness all around. May everyone be happy and healthy. Eid Mubarak!"
 

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi posted a video on social media platform X, extending Eid wishes. 

India has sent a package containing 2.5 tons of emergency medicine, medical disposables and other medical equipment to Kabul to help in the treatment of the people who were injured in a deadly Pakistani airstrike in the capital city earlier this week.

"India stands in solidarity with the Afghan people and will continue to extend all possible humanitarian support in this difficult hour," Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement on social media platform X.

On March 16, the Afghan Taliban officials accused Pakistan of carrying out an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital, killing at least 400 people. 

Pakistan denied targeting civilian infrastructure, saying that its "precision airstrikes" were aimed at "military installations and terrorist support infrastructure" in Kabul and the eastern Nangarhar province. 

India had earlier condemned the strike, deeming it "yet another act of aggression by a Pakistani establishment that remains hostile to the idea of a sovereign Afghanistan". 

Pakistan declared an "open war" with Afghanistan in February. Clashes between the two sides intensified with cross-border fire and airstrikes striking deep in the Afghan territory, including Kabul.

A pause on strikes is currently being observed by Pakistan and the Taliban government in Afghanistan on account of  Eid al-Fitr. The halt in fighting is scheduled to last until midnight on Monday.

In recent years, India has recalibrated its Afghanistan policy marked by a thaw in its relations with the Taliban regime. The shift also comes amid the souring ties between the Afghan Taliban and India's arch rival Pakistan. 

India does not recognize the Taliban government, but restored the status of its technical mission in Kabul to that of an embassy last year. 

India has also been the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Kabul in the pre-Taliban years. 

Good morning! This is Dharvi Vaid Dhulia from DW's studio in New Delhi, bringing you your daily wrap of news from India. 

A winter chill seems to have made a comeback this Saturday morning, as the Indian capital recorded its coldest March day in six years after unseasonal rains.

Eid al-Fitr celebrations have begun in India, as millions of Muslims gathered to offer early morning prayers in mosques across the country. The state of Kerala observed the festival a day early on Friday, following a rare calendar split. 

In diplomatic news, India has sent a consignment containing 2.5 tons of medical supplies to Afghanistan for the treatment of people injured in a deadly Pakistan airstrike on a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. 

Stay tuned to find out what India is talking about this Saturday.