Save environment, say no to firecrackers this Diwali

Deepa Gupta, SNS, New Delhi | 24 October, 2016: Pollution, one of the primary causes of diseases and deaths in the world has slowly and steadily poisoned the environment as well. The health of the environment is now dependent upon us. We cannot afford to ignore the warning signs and continue with anti-environmental activities. If we do not mend our ways, it will not just affect the environment but will weaken us as well. It is after all a symbiotic relationship that we share with the environment.

Diwali, the most popular Hindu festival of light, has lately come to be associated with fireworks. So much so that people have been blatantly ignoring the environmental hazards associated with it and continued to burst crackers in celebration of the festival.

Fireworks are one of the leading causes that worsen air and noise pollution radically during the festival. The celebration with crackers has made it an injurious threat to human health and the environment in general. These sparklers have taken away the charisma and the soul of this festival.

Let Diwali justifies its meaning that is ‘festival of lights’ that spreads happiness and positivity in everyone’s life.  And, this Diwali let us boycott crackers. Ring in the change and celebrate the festival in a new way where there can still be festivities and joyous feelings sans the use of firecrackers that add to the pollution.

Begin your day by ornamenting your house with lovely fragrant flowers. Marigold, jasmine, roses, orchids and twisted mango leaves can be a good choice.  Beautify your house with attractive paper lanterns, mystical hangings, traditional bells and colourful rangoli. It is a good way to invite Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi on this auspicious day. Add a different flavour to the festival by dressing up your house with traditional lamps and diyas. It will give a kick to the divine allure. 

You can also pamper yourself by spending sometime of the day dressing up in traditional attire. Visit your closest friends and relatives in the noon with gifts that are somewhat rare than usual. Spare sometime prior Diwali thinking and picking such gifts and cape them with your marked styles.

After the Lakshmi poojan in the evening you can substitute fireworks with a live musical evening. You can plan a small closely knit family and friends get together at your place. Bonfire and few games can add spice to the evening. Complement the party with a rich candlelight dinner. It will give a good texture to the festival.

There is much you can do to avoid crackers. Visit an old age home or orphanage to celebrate such occasions with those who don’t have a family. Also, many people cannot afford Diwali celebration. Cut short your crackers expenditure and buy food, clothes and gifts for them. Discourage your kids to burn crackers and inculcate these good morals in them. Your initiation in the drive to say no to crackers can also save child labourers engaged in fireworks factory. A sheer thought of accomplishment of these responsibilities towards society gives an immense and long-lasting satisfaction which fireworks can never give.

Let this change start with this Diwali. Celebrate the occasion with a zest and zeal to make the environment-friendly celebrations a way of life rather than being an option. Inspire others around you by showing them much more fun ways to celebrate Diwali without crackers.