Why "NO-Crackers" is a misleading campaign...

This may surprise many of you why I am advocating against the popular media drive of "Cracker-Free Diwali." It seems this is a motivated campaign. Instead, they could have chosen a moderate way of avoiding "high decibel" crackers and gone for delightfully visual ones... Bursting crackers to express joy is part of the tradition since thousands of years. 

The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, and prosperity. According to one belief, the sound of firecrackers is an indication of the joy of the people living on Earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty after the rains. (this paragraph is taken from internet - http://www.indiacelebrating.com/festivals/diwali/significance)

The Diwali celebration was signified with Lord Rama's return from exile that brought happiness and a festive environment for the entire kingdom.

We burst crackers not only during Diwali festivals, but also during marriage and other auspicious functions to drive away bad elements in the environment. In addition, we also burst crackers after winning matches or elections to express our joy. There are many visually delightful crackers during the Olympics and other sports events at international levels. I wonder why the media remains conspicuously silent on these occasions...

Contrary to the media campaign about crackers creating environmental (air and noise) pollution, let me bring out few facts about pollution.

Top Air pollution contributors are: Chimneys of industry/factories, war (missiles, bombs...), Airlines, Vehicles (especially, diesel ones), refineries, air-conditioning, fire in jungles...

Top Noise Pollutions contributors are: Factories, Vehicles, War, Airplane take-offs, Construction work (especially road), air-conditioning. 

Top Water Pollution contributors: Industry/factory's untreated water, pesticides, oil-spill, civic waste, plastic in water. 

The West Bengal government put a restriction on crackers during Diwali long ago, but it still is the most polluted state without crackers...so NO crackers will not ensure a pollution-free environment, but if the government acts on the above-mentioned points, it will result in a huge positive impact.  

So, don't be ignorant or carried away with misleading campaigns and raise your voice against the correct cause in the right direction....

Noise and air Pollution Sources

Here is the list of few Dos and Don'ts

Dos: 
- Use mass/public transportation, 

- Avoid or cut down on meat consumption (animal farming result of cutting down forests, cleaning, transporting & preserving meat needs huge resources), 

- Cut down on water consumption, 

- Cut down your air travel

- Raise your voice against pollution-making industries and government for wars...

- Use crackers that are visually delightful (fulzadi/Sparklers, Anar/Flowerpot, Chakras..at the least decibels ladi..., please check the local names) and less noisy...Indian manufactured crackers.

Don't: 
- Do not use loud / noisy (high decibel) crackers...especially not around hospitals and other sensitive areas

- Avoid unnecessary travel (business/personal)

- Don't use your personal vehicle

- Don't buy environmental unfriendly products 

- Avoid buying from companies who have environmental unfriendly policies
- Avoid air-conditioning system/environment

Lastly, a message to all whoever are protesting against crackers, must answer the following:

1. Do I use personal vehicle?
2. Do I travel by air for pleasure?
3. Do I live or work in an air-conditioned environment?
4. Do I protest against much bigger pollution offenders?
5. Do I use any product that is part of the pollution-making industry or company?
6. Do I use any product that is from a product or company that is environmental unfriendly?
7. Do I also protest regularly all unfriendly customs of other religions?
8. Do I personally ban or advocate NO crackers on other occasions (like at Olympics, cricket match, marriages, procession...)

If you do NOT follow any of the above, please, please be quiet, as you lost the right to protest here...NO place for hypocrisy....

Let us make this Diwali happy for all...

and let us keep the ball (this beautiful tradition) rolling...