Imagining a Healthier Diwali: Why some families are moving away from firecrackers
By Sudhir Gore, November 13, 2023
Indeed, during the days of Diwali, there is much discussion about the pollution caused by fireworks, but there are a few rare individuals who ardently contribute at a personal level to fight against air pollution. Let’s meet some “Clean air champions”.
The Das Family Sets an Example: Firework-Free Diwali for Clean Air
In Vasundhara, Ghaziabad, a private school administrator Malvika Das and her family have been celebrating Diwali without bursting fireworks for several years to prevent pollution. Both of her daughters, Shreyoshi, 19, and Ushoshi,16, refrained from fireworks since childhood. Mrs. Das explains, "About 10-12 years ago, when my daughters were young, we used to give them fireworks, and we didn't feel air pollution to this extent back then. But when they read about the adverse effects of air pollution in school and felt it after some time, they themselves decided to celebrate Diwali without fireworks."
A Sparkling Diwali without Fireworks: The Singh Family's Environmental Commitment
Atul Singh, a 46-year-old working at Snider Electric Pvt. Ltd. in Bangalore, far from the Delhi NCR, is among those exemplary individuals. Keeping in view the adverse effects of air pollution for many years, his family has been celebrating Diwali without fireworks. Singh, along with his wife Anju and their two sons, Ayush (20 years old) and Arush (16 years old), light lamps but do not burst fireworks. Singh shares, "The kids took the initiative themselves. They implemented what they learned in their education, and they said, 'If we don't burst firecrackers, parents won't either.'"
Rohtak's Clean Air Advocate: Professor Mukherjee's Firework-Free Diwali Pledge
In the same spirit, Sunit Mukherjee, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and Director of the Public Relations Department at Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak, Haryana, also celebrates Diwali with enthusiasm but without bursting firecrackers. Mr. Mukherjee, aged 53, explains, "In 1982, when I was 12 years old, I was enthusiastic about bursting firecrackers along with celebrating Diwali. I was adamant and had convinced my father to buy around 90-100 kilograms of crackers from Hisar, which cost 182 rupees, a significant amount at that time. I enjoyed bursting those crackers. Similarly, during Holi in 1983, I had some leftover fireworks. Alongside that, I brought crackers worth Rs. 80 rupees from Sivani Mandi, near the district. But after bursting crackers on Diwali, I saw the blackened snake fireworks, the chakri or rockets, causing significant pollution. I noticed marks of burnt fireworks everywhere. At that moment, I had some doubts about whether this was right. Even during Holi, after bursting crackers, I felt it was a waste; I had squandered my father's money. Since then, till now, I celebrate Diwali every year but without bursting fireworks."
This year, during the planning of the Diwali party in his department, students asked Mukherjee about fireworks. He replied, "We are the students of journalism; if we aren't aware, then who will be? Who will convey the message that we shouldn't do all these things? We are a part of the National Capital Region (NCR), where the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches very high levels, and visibility is reduced. People suffer from heart and respiratory diseases. Hence, we and our students pledge not to burst fireworks."
Pareek Family Light Up Lamps, Not Firecrackers
Similarly, Raj Kumar Pareek, a native of Kuchaman City in Rajasthan, shares, "I've noticed that people in villages used to burst fewer firecrackers. There was a time when, during a month-long festival, people celebrated Diwali by exchanging sweets, making Mandana paintings in the courtyard, coming together, and embracing each other. The era of showmanship probably began in the 1980s when people started resorting to fireworks to display their wealth and power." Pareek and his daughter Harshika are distant from this display and are environmentally conscious, celebrating Diwali with enthusiasm without bursting firecrackers, focusing on air quality.
Experts Emphasize Emission Reduction for a Cleaner Future
The role of each person in improving air quality is of great significance. Dr Sreekanth Vakacherla, Clean Air Catalyst air quality senior scientist and senior scientific advisor, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) emphasizes, “Emissions and meteorology can influence the air quality a location. If emissions are there, meteorology can worsen the air quality situation. As we don’t have control on the meteorology, the only way to improve air quality is to cut down the emissions.” Clean Air Catalyst, a global initiative supported by USAID and led by the World Resources Institute and Environmental Defense Fund focuses on implementing tailored solutions to combat air pollution, address climate change and promote better human health.
Embracing a healthier Diwali and the pursuit of fresh air are the current imperative. According to Dr Prakash Doraiswamy, Clean Air Catalyst air quality senior scientist and director of air quality, WRI India, “Fireworks contribute to the already high air pollution burden in most regions in India. Fireworks cause more than 2 to 10 times higher air pollution and emit toxic components.” EDF senior health scientist Dr Ananya Roy explains, “The tiny particles and gases emitted by the firecrackers cause a massive spike in air pollution. When these particles are inhaled, they can cause coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. The effects can extend beyond the lungs to the heart and other organs, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes and exacerbating existing diseases.”
Green crackers can reduce emissions
Cleanliness, water management, and air quality improvement are at the forefront in the leading city of Indore, where Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav urges his city residents on every occasion to ensure that the festivities are not dampened and that we remain vigilant about the environment. Bhargav states, "I firmly believe that the Indian festivals should be celebrated with the same enthusiasm, joy, and excitement as they always have been. Nowadays, we have green crackers, and we should make an effort to use them.
Green crackers can reduce firecracker emissions by up to 30%. Dr Roy says, “Green crackers are a prime example of how Indian ingenuity can reduce air pollution and protect health on Diwali. We can and should apply this same ingenuity to the real culprits of air pollution—such as those from transportation and industry—that threaten our health every day.”
Clean air pioneers like Das, Mukherjee, Singh and Pareek are transforming the festival for cleaner horizons and their quest for fresh air is reshaping Diwali celebrations. As we unite to commemorate Diwali, let's purposefully reduce our environmental impact by refraining from, or at least reducing, the number of firecrackers we ignite.
