Diwali, the festival of lights, has always been that time of the year when people get busy meeting each other and celebrating the joy of goodness, comradery and brotherhood. They come together to celebrate happiness with good music and food.
But over the years, the way Diwali is celebrated has also undergone a major change. The way our parents and their parents used to celebrate Diwali isn’t the same way that we do. There has been a transition. Let’s understand and see how has Diwali as a festival, changed over the years.
Then & Now:
The age old clay ‘diyas’ have been replaced with electric diyas and candles with fairy lights. Music was earlier played on radios and DVDs and today the DJ’ system can be seen trending all over. Unfortunately, in present times, Diwali has also seen an increase in the number of people who burst crackers.
They say that Diwali is incomplete without firecrackers. The teens especially are very enthusiastic about it. But then, bursting crackers have always been a matter of concern. The after effects are terrifying. Delhi’s air quality has consistently been declared ‘poor’ since many years. Once the quality of air starts to deteriorate, people suffer with various health issues like – Irritation in the eyes, coughing and breathing issues.
This Diwali, let us celebrate by doing our bit to safeguard and protect the environment –
1. Use limited materials made of plastic. Avoid using things made of plastic like polythene bags, straws, plates and cups etc.
2. Support Diwali without crackers. Keep your surrounding areas clean, less polluted and safe for birds & animals to prosper.
3. Plant more tress. Because the greener the place, the better it is.
4. Wear a mask when you travel. Since Diwali is around the corner, the quality of air tends to become poor and a layer of ‘smog’ can be seen. Inhaling this air can lead to harmful and dangerous health issues. Thus, wearing a mask while travelling is always recommended.
5. Avoid travelling during the ‘Diwali period’. Places are usually crowded and the air is polluted which creates uneasiness and discomfort.
This Diwali, let us minimize the poisonous effect of crackers and maximize happiness with earthen lamps.