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#Firecrackers

The Whys and Hows

The Evolution of Firecrackers in Diwali Celebrations: Tracing their Journey from Ancient Times

Diwali, the festival of lights, is an occasion filled with joy, excitement, and vibrant celebrations. One of the significant elements that add to the festive spirit is the burst of colorful firecrackers lighting up the night sky. But have you ever wondered how firecrackers came into the scene for Diwali? The tradition of bursting firecrackers during Diwali dates back centuries. Firecrackers were introduced to Diwali celebrations as a symbol of joy and triumph. The loud noise and bright sparks of the firecrackers were believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. In ancient times, people would light bonfires, burst crackers, and set off fireworks as a way to celebrate the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. The loud noise of the firecrackers was believed to scare away evil forces and signify the triumph of light over darkness. Over the years, the tradition of using firecrackers during Diwali has evolved. Today, it has become an integral part of the festive celebrations, creating a spectacle of colors and sounds. Fireworks displays and firecracker shows have become a highlight of Diwali festivities, mesmerizing people of all ages. However, it is important to note that in recent years, there has been growing concern about the environmental impact and health hazards associated with firecrackers. The loud noise and pollution caused by fireworks have raised awareness about the need for more eco-friendly and sustainable ways of celebrating Diwali. Many individuals and communities have started opting for eco-friendly alternatives such as lighting diyas (oil lamps), decorating homes with fairy lights, and engaging in cultural activities instead of bursting firecrackers. This shift towards a more conscious and eco-sensitive Diwali celebration aims to preserve the spirit of the festival while minimizing its environmental impact. As Diwali approaches, it is essential to cherish the traditions and customs that hold significance in our cultural heritage. While firecrackers have played a prominent role in Diwali celebrations for centuries, it is equally important to prioritize the well-being of our environment and health. So, this Diwali, let us embrace the spirit of the festival by celebrating responsibly and consciously. Whether we choose to light up the sky with firecrackers or opt for eco-friendly alternatives, let us remember the essence of Diwali lies in spreading joy, love, and light to everyone around us.

11 Nov 2023
The Whys and Hows

Good News

Know Why This Village in Tamil Nadu Do Not Burst Crackers During Diwali

There is a lesson to learn from the Kollukudipatti village in Tamil Nadu. The village is very sensitive towards nature that its inhabitants no longer burst crackers during festivals so as not to trouble the migratory birds that visit this place. It has become an unwritten rule in the hamlet that people will not burst crackers during Diwali. Vettankudi Bird Sanctuary The Vettankudi bird sanctuary is situated in Kollukudipatti village and it draws hundreds of winter migratory birds. Many indigenous endangered species of birds have also been nesting at this place for decades. The sanctuary spans an area of 38.4 acres and has many vast water bodies that attract more than half a dozen bird species. The birds have been visiting the sanctuary for nesting and breeding since the early 1960s. Variety of Birds The birds that migrate from as far as Europe and North Asia include grey herons, darters, spoonbills, white ibis, black ibis, openbill stork and night herons. Some endangered species like Little Cormorant, little Egret and Flamingos visit the sanctuary between October and March. Some villagers believe that if a large number of birds come to the village, they will be blessed with good rain and a great harvest. So the love for birds in the Vettankudi bird sanctuary has desisted the villagers from bursting crackers during Diwali.  

1 Nov 2019
Good News

‘Go Green Diwali Campaign’ Spreads Awareness About Celebrating Diwali in a Responsible Manner

Kids are the most excited during Diwali. So, what better way to spread awareness about green Diwali  than hosting the ‘Go Green Diwali Campaign’ in schools. That is exactly what the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee and NGO Yuvsatta did to educate kids about the harmful effects of firecrackers on the environment and how they could contribute by being a responsible citizen. Chanchal Singh, Deputy Director, School Education explained to the students about the hazards of firecrackers. He said that pyrotechnic chemicals that produce heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound are used in firecrackers to make them shoot up in the air and explode. These have very adverse effects on the environment. He cautioned young ones to wear cotton clothes, use firecrackers only in the presence of elders and keep a bucket of water handy in case of any emergency. Santosh Kumar, vice-chairman, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee and Director, Department of Environment said that it is heartening to see that more people now consider bursting crackers as a health hazard and harmful for the environment. He said that during Diwali, the pollution level shoots up to 10 to 15 times the permissible limits. So it is the responsibility of all citizens to protect their environment by celebrating Diwali in a green way. He suggested making homemade sweets, gifting plants, saying no harmful crackers. Pramod Sharma, coordinator of Yuvsatta said that there is no harm in celebrating Diwali the traditional way by decorating homes with lamps and enjoying with sparklers and less polluting firecrackers. Over 2,500 students pledged to observe a green Diwali and stay away from crackers at the conclusion of the programme.   

24 Oct 2019
Good News

Delhi CM to Promote Cracker Free Diwali by Organizing Mega Laser Show in the Capital

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a bid to curb air pollution during the forthcoming winter season, has appealed to the citizens of Delhi to restrain from bursting crackers. He assured them that he would instead organize a laser show on the day of the festival. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Kejriwal informed about his plans to tackle air pollution which assumes enormous proportions in winter due to burning of farm stubble in nearby regions being one of the reasons. To control air pollution arising due to traffic, the CM said that the much-debated odd-even car-rationing scheme would return on Delhi roads. Kejriwal stated that his top priority would be to achieve  100 percent mechanized sweeping in Delhi. Water sprinklers and mechanized sweeping of roads would be implemented to control dust particles. When asked about the Motor Vehicles Act which levies hefty fines for traffic violations, Kejriwal supported it saying that the move has had a positive impact over Delhi’s erratic vehicular movement. Ahead of the Assembly elections to be held in February 2020, Kejriwal has been announcing various schemes for the people of Delhi like the waiver of water bill dues and free electricity up to 200 units. Employing major steps to curb air pollution will definitely help him to win back the traditional voters.  

15 Sep 2019
Good News

Supreme Court takes a Tough Stand

It will be a change from the deafening Diwali to a cleaner Diwali this year in Delhi-NCR as Supreme Court has imposed a ban on the sale of firecrackers. The ban has been laid in view of concerns over pollution caused by smoke and chemicals released into the environment. Doctors and environmentalists have welcomed this decision as it will give relief from the episodic air pollution levels in October. Greenpeace India noted that the pollution levels in north India are multiple times higher than the national standards throughout the winter months, hence, there is a pressing need to look at a stricter, comprehensive and time-bound action plan to address all sources of air pollution across the country. Dr. Sandeep Nayar, HOD, Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Sleep Disorders, BLK Super Speciality Hospital stated that pollution affects our body adversely and aggravates underlying diseases such as asthma. He said that the number and severity of diseases have increased manifold in the city.  Dr. S. P. Byotra, chairman and head, Department of Internal Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said that they were witnessing almost 40% to 50% increase in OPD patients with respiratory problems. He added that wearing a pollution mask, controlling indoor air quality and using air purifiers at home may give some relief to such patients. Experts warn that around the time of  Diwali, the air quality deteriorates drastically as a thick layer of smog mixed with dangerous chemicals engulfs the city. Breathlessness, coughing fit, chest tightness, asthma, pulmonary disease, rhinitis, and pneumonia are some of the common ill-effects of high levels of air pollution around Diwali. In 2016, Delhi’s air pollution levels stood at “severe” with the average PM2.5 level being recorded at over 700g/m³, 29 times above WHO standards.

10 Oct 2017
Good News

Positive Reads

Let Us Make This Diwali Brighter With Sustainable Festivities

Diwali, the festival of lights brings with it lots of excitement, love, laughter, get-togethers and happiness. People spend liberally on their family and their loved ones in the spirit of Diwali. There is no way we can curb our will to shop, but we can be mindful and act responsibly while shopping so that we don’t burden and harm the environment. Over time, seeing the environmental impacts, people have started celebrating festivals keeping green goals in mind. For example, the use of firecrackers has come down considerably due to their adverse impacts on the environment. Here are a few tips that will help you to celebrate a green Diwali Use traditional diyas The traditional diyas are more preferred nowadays than the coloured and decorated ones due to the presence of chemicals in colours. Rather than using artificial lamps, it is always better to use the natural clay lamps as it imparts a certain sense of authenticity and originality to the celebrations. The act of using clay lamps for Diwali is steeped in our tradition. Shop Right Instead of buying new clothes and jewellery, let your creative juices flow so as to upscale the existing ones. If you, however, wish to buy new ones, invest in clothes and jewellery that you can use in different and interesting ways so that you don’t have to buy new ones every time. While buying clothes and jewellery, you can also go for timeless classics that can be passed down generations. Gift Sensibly Instead of gifting expensive and fancy gift hampers or feel-good goody bags, you can invest your time in making something that is environment-friendly, long-lasting, useful and meaningful to gift. You could also go for conscious options like gifting a tree or seed bombs instead of gifting flowers. Do Not Waste Food Diwali festival is synonymous with sweets and during this festival period, members of every household enjoy preparing the traditional Diwali delicacies. Making sweets and sharing it with loved ones is an expression of joy and love. However, if food happens to be in excess at home, find ways to use the leftovers or incorporate them into a new recipe to ensure that food is not wasted. Here’s wishing you all a Happy, Prosperous and Sustainable Diwali!

25 Oct 2019
Positive Reads

Too much clamour over the noise

This year the Supreme Court took a bold step by imposing a ban on firecrackers in Delhi. A lot of uproar was raised by traders over the impending economic losses. However, a majority of citizens assert that the move is justified. In fact, the governments of some states are mulling over a similar ban on cracker sales in their respective states. There is no denying the fact that pollution levels have soared to hazardous levels in the country. The fast pace of industrialization has contributed to an equally fast rise of pollutants in the atmosphere. Pollution has reached to such a perilous level that burning farm stubble and bursting firecrackers have become a major cause of concern in North India so much that a ban needed to be imposed on the latter. It has been proved that air pollution has far-reaching consequences on health.  The pollutants associated with firecrackers cause breathing trouble. Doctors agree that there is a surge in cases of people suffering from respiratory diseases during Diwali. Many a times, authorities and citizens have no clue about the chemical composition of firecrackers on sale and the ill effects of their smoke. Although there is a restriction on noise limit, there is no limit on smoke. There is no regulation on heavy metals like cobalt, copper and magnesium which are toxic and are widely used as colouring agents. It’s not only the humans that are affected by the smoke and sound, but animals and birds too are not spared. One must give a thought to the plight of animals who are terrified by crackers. The loud noise of crackers makes small children as well as elderly people prone to anxiety attacks. Another reason to say no to crackers is that young children who are involved in making crackers will be relieved. Child labourers have historically been a part of the fireworks industry in India, especially Sivakasi. Nobel Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi had said that the industry employs at least one lakh child labourers.A majority of these children were working in the unorganised sector, where small sheds and hazardous working conditions are still prevalent. After the sound, lights and smoke comes the mess. On the next day of Diwali, people wake up to the sight of cracker debris littered all over the roads. This article is just to make you aware of the ill effects of pyrotechnics, not to dampen your spirits. So, this Diwali, do have a blast. Opt for eco-friendly crackers that are made from recycled paper. The noise produced by these crackers is also within the decibel limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board. May the festival of light bring with it sounds of laughter. Let there be the chatter of guests and giggles of children playing and above all, let there be a blast of love and happiness.

18 Oct 2017
Positive Reads

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