The date of 29 October is recorded in the history of the country with a sad incident. On this day, the joy of the festival was eclipsed by the bomb blasts that took place two days before Diwali in Delhi. October is usually the festival season in Delhi. First the pomp of Ramleela, then the enthusiasm of Dussehra, shopping on Dhanteras, the splendor of Diwali, and finally Govardhan Puja and Bhaiya Dooj. The markets are very lively on these festivals coming one after the other. On 29 October 2005, on the day of Dhanteras, Delhi was shaken by the bomb blasts in many parts of the city. 60 people died and more than 200 people were injured in these blasts in busy markets.
These 3 places were targeted by terrorists.
Before Diwali, there were serial bomb blasts in three places in Delhi – Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj, and a DTC bus in Kalkaji. Many people lost their entire families in these blasts. Even today, the unforgettable horror scene lingers in the minds of many shopkeepers present in Sarojini Nagar market. Even today, fear is present in the minds of shopkeepers. Shopkeepers working here for a long time are not able to forget what happened that day.
Then I remembered that horrifying scene.
A shopkeeper who has been selling Diwali items in Sarojini Nagar market for the last 30 years said that he can never forget that day. Even today, that scary scene flashes before his eyes. It was Dhanteras day, the market was packed with shopkeepers and buyers. When the blast happened, he was at his candle shop right near the spot. Suddenly there was a sound of explosion and darkness spread everywhere. He thought that the bulb in the shop had fused. He also suffered a serious head injury in that blast. When he regained consciousness, he saw heaps of dead bodies. The body of the owner of the shop where the bomb exploded was found cut into two parts. The bodies of many people were completely burnt.
The sequential details of other major events recorded on the date of October 29 in the history of the country and the world are as follows-
1911: America’s famous editor and publisher Joseph Pulitzer died.
1923: With the announcement of the end of the Ottoman Empire, parliamentary democracy began to strengthen in Turkey and the country became a republic.
1929: Due to the sale of about 16 million shares in the US stock market, it was called “Black Tuesday” and this deepened the crisis known as the Great Depression. Five days earlier, 13 million shares were sold.
1956: The Israeli army attacked Egypt in the Sinai province to capture the Suez Canal area.
1975: End of General Franco’s 35-year-old rule in Spain. Crown Prince Juan Carlos temporarily took power.
1985: Birth of Vijender Singh, who won India its first Olympic medal in boxing.
1999: Thousands of people were left homeless and there was heavy loss of life and property due to a severe sea storm in the eastern Indian state of Orissa (now Odisha).
2005: Bomb blast in the busy markets of Delhi city immersed in the hustle and bustle of the Diwali festival, 60 people died and more than 200 people were injured.
2015: China announced the end of one-child policy.
2022: 50 people died and dozens went missing due to the havoc caused by the storm in the Philippines.
2022: 120 people died in a crowd crush during Halloween in Seoul.
2023: Two women died and 51 people were injured in an explosion in the Christian community convention center in Kalamassery, Kerala.