Fireworks went off with frenzied enthusiasm during Diwali night in Dehradun. It was the same in most parts of India. It may be noted, however, that this aspect of the celebration was restricted from early evening to around 2 a.m. While people allowed themselves this traditional treat, there was much less ‘spillover’ in terms of the days running up to Diwali and the day after. Although, a period of using up leftover firecrackers will be seen on the evening after Diwali, the overall restraint displayed is praiseworthy. The reason for this is obviously the discourse that has taken place in the media for several years, now, over the harmful effects of firecracker pollution on human and animal health.
The decision taken by the Supreme Court on allowing use of ‘green’ firecrackers within a fixed period of time in Delhi indicates the changing approach to the issue. The earlier ban on such celebrations had proved ineffective as it was more or less unimplementable. The extreme position adopted by ‘environmentalists’ had made it seem an attack on Hindu customs and beliefs, thereby hardening the stance taken by those celebrating Diwali. It also took away focus from the much greater and longer lasting pollution from petrol and diesel vehicles, construction activities and stubble burning in farms of Punjab and Haryana.
The lesson learned from the experience of the many previous years is that the best way to counter these hazards is through consistent generation of awareness among the people. As the behaviour in Dehradun shows us, it does have an impact on promoting discipline and restraint. Of course, there are the outliers who will continue to behave irresponsibly, but persistent persuasion will lead to further improvement. Eventually, it can be hoped that much of the firecracker aspect of the celebration will be reduced to symbolism and focused on just the entertainment of children.
Diwali comes just once a year and the focus on it should be reduced to a reasonable level. Politics, particularly, should be kept out of the narrative as it goes against the environmental cause. All the passionate activism should, instead, be channeled into further greening the environment.
