Shadow cast across India as Diwali festival hit by Covid – and smog.

People encouraged to stay at home for Hindu festival, with Delhi particularly affected.

"My legs are in pain and my eyes burn. My whole body is in pain as we stand from 8 till 2 in pollution."

So 22-year-old Rihana Saif is one of more than 2,000 people in the city's Civil Defense force that have been desperately deployed for a program called "red light on, vehicle off."

Saif is out in the street to raise awareness to motorists: If you're at a red light, turn off your engine.

New Delhi has been facing one of its worst spells of air pollution in years - with pollution in some areas of the capital more than eight times the World Health Organization's permitted limit.

The plan was introduced last month but this week it was extended until the end of November.

But not everyone agrees with it. And some health experts are worried for the young workers like Saif.

Diwali celebrations in India have taken a more sombre tone this year, as the double spectres of the pandemic and pollution cast a shadow over festivities.

The Hindu festival of light is the most important celebration of the year for many in India and this weekend would usually be marked by raucous parties and fireworks displays.

However, the preparations and planned celebrations across the country have been unusually muted, particularly in the capital, Delhi, where coronavirus cases have reached record levels and the city’s annual pollution hit “emergency” levels and enveloped the city in a thick toxic smog.

“We are not celebrating like other years, it will be a quiet Diwali for us,” said Sumita Majumdar, a housewife in Delhi. “We will only put out candles and pray for good health. We have not done any shopping for Diwali this year, it is not about celebration but survival.”

WhatsApp messages going viral in India encouraged people to stay at home and light candles for the “Covid warriors who have left us”, and to “offer support and spread “cheer to those who have lost their people and who have suffered losses in jobs and business”.