We all know Diwali & firecrackers are synonyms. Diwali hardly seem complete without the glorious sizzle and boom of firecrackers. But could those colourful, beautiful displays have harmful effect on us and the environment ?
YES, of course, fireworks are harmful to us and in fact they are an environmental disaster. Fireworks can cause extreme noise, air & land pollution and they also get deposited on soil, crops and water. Smoke from fireworks is harmful to health too. In fact our city gets covered by a thick blanket of smoke during Diwali season, polluting the atmosphere and increasing the health hazards. Fireworks also produce a lot of garbage. Firecrackers are dangerous to even animals. Other than that, it adds financial burden on the family considering firecrackers high prices. Many people in excitement forget to adopt safety measures and get injured. Also every year a number of people across the country lose their eyesight, sustain burns and get severe allergies during Diwali festival.
Many countries do not permit an individual to light firecrackers, but our country allow us and we are one of those privileged countries in which individual can burst crackers, so why not use that privilege in a responsible way & do our bit to reduce the negative impact of firecrackers on us and on the environment.
I know its hard to say NO to fireworks but we can at least try to take few steps towards it and then gradually say No. I can tell you from my personal experience that its achievable. After landing in India we are also following the same rule. Initially kids were very excited about bursting crackers as they never got a chance to do so in USA, so we allowed them to burst crackers but only noise free crackers for the first couple of years and that too in the limited quantity and limited budget. Then the following year we got just a box of flower pot and Since last year we have completely stopped getting the firecrackers and now kids themselves say NO to firecrackers. If we parents continue to be consistent and set some boundaries and hold to them then we can surely achieve this goal.
Here are the few steps you can also try:
1. If possible say NO to firecrackers completely.
2. Instead of an individual celebration prefer community celebration with the limited fireworks and for the limited time. That way community can enjoy the delightful visual treat of fireworks together. This will ensure reduced cost, pollution and garbage.
3. If you can’t say NO to firecrackers initially, then at least reduce the quantity of crackers you buy and start with the noise free crackers only. Then gradually educate your kids on the negative impact of the firecrackers on the environment and then teach them to say NO to firecrackers completely.
Celebrate Diwali but with a different meaning. Celebrate it in a natural way, by lighting lamps, making sweets, wearing new clothes and spreading happiness around or by sharing your happiness with less privileged children, elderly people etc…
Stay safe-Stay healthy and take care of the Environment… Happy Diwali !!!
संस्कार वर्ग 