Clean, green Diwali captures city mindspace

Amid the cacophony of firecrackers and bombs that threaten to shatter eardrums, a few citizens and their housing societies are enjoying a quieter and green Diwali.

And helping them in this endeavour are the local shopkeepers, who have refused to stock up noisy crackers this year and are selling only colourful sparklers (phool jhadis), flowerpots (anars) and other light emitting, but noiseless firecrackers.

“Over the last few years we have managed to convince the members of our housing colony to refrain from bursting loud crackers, especially early morning because it disturbs young children, elderly people and animals,” said Khar-based homemaker Ruma Dutta, who has an ailing mother-in-law and a son afflicted with Down’s Syndrome.

Dutta admitted that the effort may just be a “drop in the ocean” because other buildings in the locality don’t have similar norms in place. “But it is a beginning and we carry on in the hope that the change will happen eventually. Already, a few of us in our colony have stopped bursting crackers because even the ‘silent’ ones pollute the air,” she added.

Environmentally and socially conscious citizens like Dutta may be few, but they are not alone in their quest for green celebrations.

And with the media, including newspapers, television and radio, propagating the cause, more and more people are slowly, but steadily, joining the fold.

“I love firecrackers and look forward to Diwali all year. But this year, the prevalent sentiment is that of a quiet celebration. So, I have decided to go easy and protect the environment and not blow up my money at the same time,” said collegian Rahul Mehta.

Others like BPO employee Suhana Mehra have decided to have a “community celebration” this year.

“My friends and I are going to bring our families together and burst a few crackers collectively instead of each one of us burning up our own private stash,” said the Andheri resident.

Even shops selling fireworks in Mehra’s locality have not stocked up on loud firecrackers this year.

“Many of our customers are increasingly opting for light and colour-based firecrackers instead of loud ones. And since everybody is talking about how harmful loud crackers are, we decided to do our bit for the cause and not stock those products,” said Yunus Kazi, who has set up a fireworks stall for Diwali in the Andheri Lokhandwala market.