WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY DIWALI
On the very auspicious occasion of Diwali, few thoughts which comes to my mind.
Whenever festival of Diwali comes, why so many state govts and activists start talking about air pollution because of bursting of crackers during this festival. Recently Calcutta High Court put a blanket ban on bursting of crackers during Diwali. This decision was later turned down by Supreme Court saying that there can not be blanket ban on cracker bursting, the state govt can use the directive that only green crackers will be allowed to be used for bursting. It looks like all these people are worried about air pollution during Diwali period only, but they keep quiet on so many other matters which are directly linked to air pollution. Some of them are listed below:
1 So many unlicensed factories which keep on polluting air through out the year. Why the state govts and local authorities do not stop these factories from operating. That time the excuse will be given that so many people will be rendered jobless, and with warning, which are subsequently not followed, the said factories keep on operating.
2 What about pollution from motor vehicles on daily basis. There is no control of any one on this matter. OK cars are coming out with less polluting mechanical system but what about commercial vehicles which operates on diesel oil, which is more polluting than cars which mainly operate on petrol. But all the authorities keep their eyes shut on this issue of air pollution through vehicles. Vehicles are being added every day and there is no concrete policy on retiring/scrapping the vehicle after a decided time span.
3 Then what about burning of crop waste, which happens after the crop season is over. In north it is known as Parali burning. For last many years, since the air pollution has come into picture, no solution has been found for how to dispose this waste.
But every year when the Diwali festival arrives, the topic of air pollution because of cracker bursting comes up. For last so many years I have observed that some state govts are anti Hindu festival, and they start these issues. I remember few years back when a Muslim festival and Hindu festival happened to be on the same date, the state govt put the ban on Hindus taking processions, High Court had to intervene in this matter and by the order of High Court processions of both the communities were allowed with staggered timing and different routes. There are numerous incidents of this type and I do not want to go into details of them.
As Diwali is the biggest Hindu festival and the issue of air pollution through crackers bursting will keep on coming every year.
So lets enjoy the Diwali festival and if you and your family want to burst crackers, please ensure that they are of green variety.
Waiting, for your reviews on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
4th November 2021 171/21