How to celebrate a Happy & Eco-friendly Diwali

Diwali is one festival that is celebrated by people of all religions in India. But we have to bear in mind that Diwali is ‘festival of lights’ and not ‘festival of noise’. There is a growing craze for the fireworks every year and many people are not aware of the harmful effects of the fire crackers. It releases not only smoke which is harmful to the environment but also produces loud noise, which causes noise pollution in the surroundings and they are prone to accidents too. Here are few ways in which eco-friendly Diwali can be celebrated.

Spread the love - not the pollution:

The price of fire crackers are shooting up every year. People spend thousands of rupees on fire crackers and this money gets destroyed in fire. If we wish we can use this money to give happiness to needy people and smile to their children’s face. Some money can be spent to give food to beggars, at least to watch them eat good food on auspicious day. The happiness yield out of this kind of charity is much more worth than the happiness we get out of watching the fireworks burning for few seconds.

“Spread Love and Harmony instead of pollution”

A family get-together:

Instead of bursting crackers, we can meet our relatives, whom we do not get time to meet in daily life, get some gifts for children, everyone can wear new dress, make lots of sweets and food and have it together with family and friends, and in the evening we can light lamps made out of oil and thread. Lighting lamps made up of candle will cause harmful effects on the environment.

Government should extend a hand:

Our country is democratic and very big. There are lots of people with different ideas. It is almost impossible to stop everyone at a time. Government should enforce few rules like:

• No bursting crackers in hospital surroundings
• By ensuring crackers are burst within the time limit like 6AM to 8PM
• Not allowing unauthorized shops to sell fireworks
• By ensuring the sound limit of crackers are within permissible limits

Not only government for this issue. Even people who have taken oath not to burn crackers can educate others about the ill effects of burning crackers and even one person not bursting will surely make a change.

Another alternative:

And if a group of people still want to burst crackers, may be this could be followed. We can have a crackers show for 2 hours in a common place where people can see and enjoy the crackers, instead of each doing at their home in a small way and making the whole city dusty with paper if in a common place 

• The sound will be only for a particular time
• The paper dust will be only in one place
• The cost of divali celebrations can be reduced
• No neighbors envy
• Only a little of air and sound pollution
• Can be had in a place far from hospitals
• Safe measures can be ensured in that place
• Monitoring of the safety of the people is easy
• Enjoyment can be shared by all at the same place
• A get-together is easy

And for others who are determined to burst crackers:

Keep in mind that:

• Store ur fire works in a safe place away from where you burst.
• Pets hate bangs. So leave them in a comfortable environment.
• Watch what you wear. Do not wear loose dress
• Don’t booze and burst

General Do’s and Don’s

• Use fireworks only outdoor.
• Buy fireworks of authorized/reputed manufacturers only.
• Light only one firework at a time, by one person. Others should watch from a safe distance.
• Keep the fireworks to be used at a safer place.
• Organize a community display of fireworks rather than individuals handling crackers.
• Always use a long candle/'phooljhari' for igniting fire crackers and keep elbow joint straight to increase the distance between the body and the crackers.
• Keep two buckets of water handy. In the event of fire, extinguish flame by pouring water from the buckets. Every major fire is small when it starts.
• In case of burns, pour large quantity of water on the burnt area.
• In case of major burns, after extinguishing the fire, remove all smoldering clothes. Wrap the victim in a clean bedsheet.
• The patient should be taken to a burns specialist or a major hospital. Don't panicky.
• In case of eye burns, wash the eye with tap water for 10 minutes and take the victim to a hospital.

Don't s 

• Don't ignite fireworks while holding them.
• Don't bend over the fireworks being ignited.
• Don't ignite fireworks in any container.
• Don't approach immediately to the misfired fireworks.
• Don't tamper with misfired fireworks.
• Don't attempt to make fireworks at home.
• Don't allow small children to handle fireworks.
• Don't throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Don't carry fireworks in the pocket.
• Don't store firecrackers near burning candles and diyas.
• Don't light firecrackers in narrow by lanes; preferably use open areas and parks.
• Don't wear synthetic clothing; preferably wear thick cotton clothing.
• Don't wear loosely hanging clothes; secure all clothes properly.
• Don't apply any cream or ointment or oil on burnt area.
• Don't drive recklessly while taking a burn victim to the hospital; a delay of up to one hour is immaterial.

Happy and prosperous Diwali :) Lets us join hands towards a Greener Earth