Deepavali Greetings (continued)

Radgovin's 10 musings for Diwali

1. If Deepavali or Diwali is supposed to be the festival of light, does it mean it also has to be the festival of noise?

I don't when the transition from light to sound occurred. I don't think I was around at that point of time. My guess is, sometime in the eighties i.e. in general, before my time. I am not claiming that I did not burst firecrackers or jump gleefuly for joy when the "rassi" bomb or the "laxmi" bomb exploded. All I am saying is that, to quote Billy Joel, "We didn't start the fire" [or firecrackers for that matter] Human beings have long since been fascinated by beautiful display of colour and light, with the aurora borealis and aurora australis capturing the imagination of generations of explorers. For some breath-taking images of the aurora borealis, please visit this site:

Michigan Tech Aurora Page

The human made firecrackers are probably a fallout of people trying to emulate nature by creating the brilliant displays of light artificially. Unfortunately, the route they chose was the conversion of chemical energy into light and sound energy [because its cheap and can give satisfactory results]. Anyway, since this was the preferred route, we are now faced with the dilemma of losing sleep and peace of mind because of some elements of our society which derive pleasure from bursting crackers till late in the night or early in the morning.

2. If Diwali is the festival of "light", why do people become "heavy" after this particular festival is over? [Probably because of the chaklis, chivda, laddoos, etc.!]

This is quite a well known phenomenon. Binging on the "faral" or the sweets that are characteristic of this particular festive season, causes people to put on weight and may lead to further problems like obesity. It is no wonder then that post Diwali, the maximum number of advertisements in local newspapers / handouts are those pertaining to gymnasium and weight loss programmes.

3. Does air pollution have to accompany the brilliant display of light due to fireworks?

As I said earlier, firecrackers are nothing but a conversion of chemical energy to light and sound energy. And since material cannot be destroyed, there is a conversion from solid form to gaseous form, which leads to air pollution. On this website here: Environmentally Safe Diwali you will find information about how you can celebrate Diwali without causing too much damage to the planet. During Diwali, the rise in the respirable suspended particulate matter [lovingly known in air pollution environmental study cirlces as RSPM] shoots up. As it is, in a city such as Mumbai, the RSPM levels are high. In Diwali, there is a booster dose of RSPM for all the residents. Considering the fact that sulphurous compounds present in the gases piggy-back on the RSPM, we have the background for all sorts of respiratory ailments. Which is probably why doctors have their hands full after an eventful Diwali.

4. Who invented bursting firecrackers? What thrill does one get from hearing deafening noises created by gases expanding so fast, that they destroy the "container" they are in?

I don't think I need to elaborate on this. As they say, to each his own [and I'd like to add here, his/her forms of pleasure!]. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy it [bursting crackers, of course!] myself at some point in time. However, ever since I have realized the damage that firecrackers cause to the environment, I have done my bit to try and control the damage.

5. When will Indians, and all other people on this planet who celebrate by bursting firecrackers, realize that we share this planet with other species and since we are more intelligent than they are [this part is debatable] it is our responsibility to keep this nurturing planet intact?

Bursting firecrackers disturbs not only human sleeping patterns but also animals and birds. Dogs are blessed with an acute sense of hearing and this blessing turns out to be a curse during the Diwali period. Birds too are similarly affected. Since we are responsible for the safety of the animal kingdom also, we should make sure that we lessen the damage caused to the world that we share with them. And that is, if we cannot just do away with the damage.

6. Why does an educated parent/s of the 21st century buy firecrackers for his/her child/ren?

And this includes my parents also. As a kid, I was not aware of the hazards of firecrackers. My parents were, though. Why didn't they educate me at an early stage in life? Maybe they tried, but I gave in to peer pressure, from seeing my friends having a blast [literally] from bursting firecrackers. I am not saying that I am blame free or guilt free. I just hope that when I become a parent, I will have enough courage not to give in to the demands of my child for firecrackers.

7. Why are the firemen the most busy during the most happiest time period of the year for the rest of the country? Don't they deserve to celebrate Diwali too?

This is probably the most gross of all imjustices. Diwali is supposed to be a time for rejoicing, for going out and meeting family and friends, for taking out time from work. Why is it then that we deprive these already overworked national servants of their well-earned holuiday? Why is it that firemen should work over time during Diwali? Don't they deserve a holiday too?

8. Does anyone spare a thought for the children who are forced to make the firecrackers in some dark nook/cranny of some ramshackle factory?

Although the number of child labour cases in India has gone down drastically, it is not non-existent. Case in point, the recent film made by a Korean broadcaster, about the life of two youngsters working in a fireworks factory. You can read the article here: Indian Express Article
Obviously, no one gives a second thought when purchasing a box of sparklers as to how many children have been posioned by the seeping of chemicals through their skins when they were making the sparklers, chakras or showers. Simply because, its not their children who are being forced to work.

9. Isn't bursting a firecracker equivalent to [literally!] setting fire to your money?

Its the ultimate stupidity: buying something and then setting fire to it and on top of that, deriving merriment out of the whole fiasco! Money takes time and effort to earn. Ergo, it does not make sense to burn it. In fact, for people wanting to burn firecrackers, here is a bit of advice: burn a hundred rupeed note instead of buying hundred rupees worth of firecrackers. That way, the pollution will be less and it will hurt you and make you think twice about spending money on firecrackers.

10. Why is it that the louder the firecracker, the popularer [if there is such a word] it is?

Again, no comments here. Only a personal complaint. The most popular crackers are the rocket that goes higher, the chakra that spins longer, the shower that rains longer, while simultaneosly rotating on its own axis, the list is endless. But the basic question is: why have a firecracker in the first place? If there are no firecrackers, or as in the United States of America, the bursting of crackers is prohibited, we will have none of the problems that I keep musing about every year come October/November.

/Radgovin