Sale and bursting of firecrackers banned this Diwali, several residential complexes have come up with various ideas to celebrate the festival of lights in a noiseless way.
As an alternative to bursting firecrackers, Urbana, a highrise residential complex off EM Bypass, is organising a light-and-sound laser show in the garden area. Residents of Upohar Condoville, another highrise complex off the Bypass, are planning to donate the money they spend on firecrackers to orphanages and old age homes this year.
The residents’ association of South City, on Prince Anwar Shah Road, will celebrate Dhanteras this year by distributing sweet boxes to residents. In previous years, the complex organised a firecracker show as part of their annual cultural programme on Dhanteras.
“We had started campaigning against firecrackers even before Calcutta High Court ordered a blanket ban on their sale and use. On behalf of the association, we have circulated a voice note where we are appealing to all residents to make this Diwali safe for all our neighbours, especially those who have breathing problems and have suffered from Covid,” said Debjani Mukherjee, a senior official of Urbana Residential Projects.
The Urbana residents, who used to organise a firecracker show every year on Diwali, have this year shifted to a light-and-sound laser show in the garden area. “All flats facing the garden will be able to see the laser show from their balconies. Others will have to come to the garden area. Everything will be done following the Covid hygiene protocol,” Mukherjee said.
The high court had last week issued a ban on bursting of any form of firecrackers this Diwali to keep a check on air pollution, keeping in mind the health of Covid-19 patients and those who have recovered from the disease but are still vulnerable to breathing problems.
The court has allowed only wax or oil-based diyas for celebrating Diwali this year.
Following the same order, residents of Upohar Condoville have decided to donate their Diwali spendings to underprivileged people. “A large section of society, especially the underprivileged elderly and the children, has faced unprecedented problems because of Covid. We have decided to donate the money to these people from the fund which we usually spend on buying firecrackers,” said Debasish Sarkar, a member of the executive committee of the housing project.
To ensure the court order is not violated, all the terraces are being locked every evening till Diwali, Sarkar said. The committee has issued notices making repeated appeals to residents not to buy their children any firecrackers this year.
South City towers is gearing up for a “sweet and silent” Diwali this year. In the absence of any cultural programme and firecracker show on Dhanteras, which has become an annual programme for the housing complex with an approximate occupancy in 1,200 flats, the residents have decided to distribute sweets instead.
“We are distributing sweets among 500-odd flats whose residents have contributed to the festival. We are also organising... rangoli competitions to discourage residents from bursting firecrackers,” said Rajesh Kataruka, one of the board managers at South City.