Eric Garcetti, US Ambassador to India, impressed everyone at the US embassy in New Delhi with his Bollywood dance skills on Friday. Mr Garcetti danced to the hit song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ during a Diwali celebration event at the embassy.

The original song, which came out in 1998, featured Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora grooving on a train. Mr Garcetti took the stage in a blue kurta and a pair of shades as the audience clapped and cheered.

The video was shared and applauded by several users on X (formerly Twitter).

“I applaud the jovial spirit of US Ambassador to India, Mr Eric Garcetti, for showing delightful interest in Diwali celebrations. Let there be light and happiness in the relationship of US and India like this forever!” said Satnam Singh Sandhu, the founder chancellor of Chandigarh University.

I applaud the jovial spirit of US Ambassador to India, Mr. @ericgarcetti, for showing delightful interest in Diwali celebrations. Let there be light and happiness in the relationship of US and India like this forever!@USAmbIndia pic.twitter.com/8COlQ5EGlQ

— Satnam Singh Sandhu (@satnamsandhuchd) November 10, 2023

Since being appointed in May, Mr Garcetti has wholeheartedly soaked in the Indian traditions and recently celebrated Durga Puja at Delhi’s Chittaranjan Park with enthusiasm and vigour. He visited a pandal at CR Park and enjoyed traditional Bengali delicacies. The US diplomat also performed Dhunuchi Naach, which is referred to as a dance dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Earlier this week, Mr Garcetti paid a surprise visit to the US visa centre in Delhi to interact with applicants. His visit came at a time when waiting periods for a US visa appointment are as high as 511 days.

To address the surging demand for US visas, the United States has made substantial investments in its operations in India. The US Mission has expanded its workforce to streamline visa processing, upgraded facilities at the US Consulate in Chennai, and inaugurated a new Consulate building in Hyderabad.

Last year, over 1.2 million Indians visited the US, solidifying this as one of the world’s most substantial travel relationships. Indians now account for over 10% of all visa applicants worldwide, with 20% seeking student visas and 65% applying for H&L-category employment visas.

Veteran Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar, who is known for his outspoken views on religion and politics, on Friday said ‘Jai Siya Ram’ is the “finest example” of love and unity. Mr Akhtar also added that Lord Ram And Sita are the “ideal” husband and wife.

The Bollywood legend’s remarks came at a Deepotsav event organised by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in Mumbai.

“There are many deities, but when we talk about the ideal husband and ideal wife, Ram and Sita come to mind… ‘Jai Siya Ram’ is the finest example of love and unity,” Mr Akhtar said.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Lyricist Javed Akhtar says, “There are many deities, but when we talk about the ideal husband and ideal wife, Ram and Sita come to mind… ‘Jai Siya Ram’ is the finest example of love and unity…” (09.11) pic.twitter.com/3q7ePovJCC

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2023

He also stressed the cultural importance of Hinduism and raised concerns about the dwindling freedom of expression.

“There are some people who have always been intolerant. Hindus are not like that. Their specialty is that they are generous and large-hearted. This is Hindu culture, this is civilisation. It has taught us democratic attitudes. That’s why there is democracy in this country. Thinking that we are right and everyone else is wrong is not the work of Hindus. Whoever taught you this is wrong,” Mr Akhtar said.

The lyricist added that Lord Ram and Sita are not only Hindu gods and goddesses but the cultural heritage of India. 

Air quality across Delhi remains in the “poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a day after rain in the national capital and surrounding areas washed away the toxic haze, bringing some relief to residents and improving air quality marginally. 

The Air Quality Index (AQI) today in Anand Vihar, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, and ITO was recorded at 282, 220, 236, and 263, respectively.

Delhi was gasping for air after a week of suffocating pollution, with levels of harmful particles up to 100 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit. The city was the world’s most polluted last Thursday.

To reduce pollution in Delhi and ensure adherence to anti-pollution measures, the Delhi Police inspected trucks carrying non-essential goods at the Ghazipur and Tikri borders on Friday night, as part of the GRAP 4 regulations.

Delhi’s air pollution control plan (GRAP Stage IV) only allows CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states to enter the city, except for essential services.

Delhi Police inspected trucks entering the city at the Ghazipur border on Friday night, enforcing GRAP 4 regulations that permit only CNG and electric trucks to enter. Another team of Delhi Police at the Tikri border checked the trucks entering the national capital.

The weather department forecasts partly cloudy skies with mist or shallow fog in the mornings on Sunday and Monday, followed by mainly clear skies with shallow fog in the mornings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

An IMD official said following the passage of the western disturbance, wind speeds are expected to increase from the current 5-6 kmph to around 15 kmph on November 11. This anticipated increase in wind speed could help disperse pollutants and improve air quality ahead of Diwali. The weather department has predicted “mainly clear skies with shallow fog” for today. 

Delhi-NCR’s air quality plummeted over the past week due to falling temperatures, stagnant winds that stifled pollution dispersion, and a surge in post-harvest paddy stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.

Delhi’s air quality is one of the worst among capital cities globally, with a University of Chicago report finding that air pollution reduces life expectancy by almost 12 years.