Cut down on crackers

Every year, around Diwali, I get worried about the after effects of the festival on our environment. With respect to everyone’s feelings, I voice my opinion with the hope that future generations will be able to live and breathe in this environment.

For all those who love to celebrate this wonderful festival, I have one question: Is bursting crackers and making noise the only way to have fun?

Some of you may claim that nothing will happen if you burst a few crackers. Are you sure? Do you know that bursting crackers could affect our environment in more ways than we know?

It is not that I don’t enjoy fireworks. I don’t advocate that they be banned altogether. But can we not cut down on the quantity?

Diwali reminds us of the victory of Ram over Ravana, of good over evil. But fireworks do not represent the good, do they? The festival of lights will surely not lose out on its essence if we cut down on the crackers.

So, let us make a pledge this Diwali to use fewer crackers. Who knows? Maybe a little gesture on our part would inspire everyone else to spare a thought for the environment.

Chandrali Mukherjee

Class XI,

DAV, BSEB