Toddlers have moved SC through their parents to ensure a cracker-free Diwali, which the SC has turned down, instead asking the Government to promote awareness. Animal rights and Environmental activists are promoting the same everywhere. Schools in Nashik have decided to come together and promote a cracker-free Diwali. Should we join the bandwagon?
I think we should. Look at the air pollution statistics of any city in the country. Consider the exorbitant amount of money that is spent on crackers during any festive season (rough estimates are around Rs.3000 crores). Remember the accident in a firework factory last year that killed children as well? It is a known fact that child labour is employed in this industry, those anonymous children who scald their hands so that those financially better-off may have crackers to play.
Ok, enough of the empathetic note. Lets also ignore the air pollution and the money. Just check through mythology and tradition - were there any crackers when Ram & Sita arrived home after Vanvaas? Probably not, it is Deepavali - diyas were lit all across the city in their honour. Even if there were any crackers in that age, it would have been simple ones, not the rockets and bombs of the present century. The traditional focus has been on lighting up the home, cleaning up, celebrating with new clothes and gifts, meeting people, eating great food and making merry with the family and community.
So where did firecrackers come from? It seems to me like an ugly shortcut that working parents have begun to take when they cannot find enough time for the kids. Working late, little time to spend, all that they can spend on the kids is money. It has become something of a status issue - "I bought crackers worth Rs.10,000/- for my kids, a bit expensive. But children should enjoy na!"
Children would enjoy better, if parents spent time with them, made them participate in the house-cleaning or sweet-making projects. Taught them good uses of the time they have during these Diwali vacations. But people do what everybody else does, buy crackers and burn away the little time they have with their families.
This Diwali, lets burn away the monstrous idea that are crackers. Celebrate it in your own innovative way. Cook up a new sweet, decorate your home, make a fancy new kandil, colour your diyas, bring a smile on the faces of the needy. Happy festivities to all.
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