Letters to The EDITOR: Diwali & environmental conditions

The festival of lights, ‘Diwali’, is a holy festival celebrated by Hindus. Diwali is the most spectacular festival for Hindus, bringing a message of light against darkness in public life. The 18th day of Dussehra is called ‘Dhanteras’ and the day after that is considered Diwali in Hinduism. The festival is celebrated on the Krishna Amavasya of the month of Kati, according to the Assamese calendar. On Diwali, everyone lights candles in their yards and lights up the surroundings with the sound of firecrackers, flower pots, and other fireworks. However, the tradition of bursting fireworks during the festival has had a negative impact on the ecosystem. Such impacts will one day cause widespread damage to the world, in addition to environmental degradation. In recent times, we have seen various environmental problems, and we humans are ourselves responsible for them. We humans are actually conscious but not conscious at the same time.

Although Diwali is a joyful festival, its celebration causes problems for the environment. The extensive use of fireworks results in air and noise pollution, which affects both the environment and public health. In addition, the disposal of non-biodegradable materials from fireworks poses a challenge for waste management. For a healthy environment, it is essential to strike a balance between cultural celebrations and sustainable practices. Since Diwali is a festival of lights, ‘diyas’ and candles can also illuminate the environment and surroundings. There is a lot of work to be done by the government as well as the public. The government should have some strict guidelines for the sale of fireworks during Diwali, and if we ourselves avoid the use of polluting fireworks during Diwali, the problem can be reduced to some extent. We must be both vigilant and conscious when addressing these pollution-related problems.

Nikimoni Kachari,

Gauhati University

Strict Instructions

Although there has been a slight decline in pollution levels in Delhi, the air quality remains in the severe category for the sixth consecutive day. On Tuesday, it was marked as very poor. The AQI was recorded at 421, and despite a slight drop in pollution, the concentration of PM 2.5 remained seven to eight times the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court issued strict instructions that the state governments of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh must immediately stop stubble burning in their states. The Supreme Court said that “people cannot be left to die” due to pollution. The Supreme Court’s direction is welcome, and it is expected that this will be adhered to immediately.

Nawaz Ashraf

Guwahati

Traffic jam at Ganeshguri

The recently constructed flyover at Ganeshguri, Guwahati, was meant to decongest vehicular traffic. However, this does not appear to be the case. The vehicular traffic at this important junction in the city seems to be getting worse by the day.

The primary reason for this is the absence of traffic policemen, as well as the dereliction of duty by even those who are present sometimes. We observe that the policemen and the home guards on duty are away from their time or are busy with their mobile phones. Needless to say, the drivers of vehicles are callous, and they add to the chaos. The Kahilipara road (towards Ganesh Mandir) and the R. P. Barua road (from the Rajdhani Masjid side) are always chock-a-block with traffic, especially during peak hours. The service road towards G.S. Road is always parked with vehicles. The Hyundai service centre at Ganeshguri blocks the traffic movement on the service road towards the G.S. Road. The lack of control over vehicles passing under the flyover also creates traffic snarls under the flyover. There is also erratic parking of police vehicles near the ACP’s office (opposite Gopal Boro High School) on the R.P. Barua Road, just metres away from the Ganeshguri market, which adds to the traffic problems.

We request the traffic police authorities to take note and adopt remedial and corrective measures urgently.

D Bhutia,

Zoo Road, Guwahati

Go green this Diwali

Diwali is one of the major festivals in our country, which unites people and fills everyone’s hearts with feelings of joy, happiness, and prosperity. The festival is believed to be the ultimate victory of good over evil and light over darkness. According to Hindu mythology, Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the glorious return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. During the time of exile, Lord Rama defeated Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, and triumphantly returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Laxmana. The people of Ayodhya were very happy to see them after a long period of time and welcomed Lord Rama by lighting rows of clay lamps all over the city.

But nowadays, during the Diwali festival, the use of huge amounts of fire crackers and the resultant pollution may affect the health of the population badly. As such, to control air and sound pollution during this festival period, some states in our country have announced a blanket ban on the use and sale of fire crackers and requested that people go green this Diwali. The states such as Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharastra, Karnataka, etc. have laid out some rules for bursting firecrackers on Diwali between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. in view of the worsening air pollution situation. Recently, the Supreme Court of India reiterated that its earlier order banning the use of barium and prohibited chemicals in firecrackers is applicable across the country, binding all states and not just the Delhi-National Capital Region.

This time, in Assam too, several directives have been proposed regarding the celebration of Diwali. As per the latest directions of the National Green Tribunal, Ministry of Environment and Forest, and Pollution Control Board, Assam, only green firecrackers with the tag ‘Made in India’ must be sold and lit. The public can burst firecrackers while maintaining the time limit from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Noise-producing firecrackers are strictly prohibited after 10:00 p.m. According to the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), there are three types of green firecrackers: the Safe Water Releaser (SWAS), the Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR), and the Safe Minimal Aluminium (SAFAL). These types of firecrackers produce sounds that are less than 125 decibels.

Keeping in mind the level of air and sound pollution, this time we must celebrate Diwali as the festival of lights and try to reduce the bursting of firecrackers. No doubt, if we make the festival green and peaceful, it will surely be a boon to both mankind and the environment without causing any harm to anyone.

Rupak G. Duarah

Guwahati