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The Hindu : It is time for Deepavali again. It is probably the festival of the year as far as India is concerned and there is not a corner of the country where the festival of lights is not celebrated. The celebrations are not complete without the use of firecrackers and this has often been subject of heated debate.

Over the years every Deepavali has been preceded by campaigns to curb the use of firecrackers. And not without valid reason. First among the protests has been against the use of child labour in the manufacture of firecrackers. Next has been the health hazards involved in the manufacture and the use of crackers.

Cities especially are choked with the smoke on the day of the festival and the noise mostly is well above permissible limits.

Authorities have stepped in banning certain types of firecrackers and pollution standards might be enforced at the manufacturing stage itself. Also there is a ban on the use of firecrackers from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. every Deepavali .

But is enough being done?

I feel the use of firecrackers has reduced. I think the awareness among people has risen and they know the harmful effects of bursting crackers. Also people are moving to crackers with less noise.

ManasaFashion student

I don’t think there has been any significant effect on the amount of firecrackers used. Crackers are definitely annoying. People should become more sensitive to the sound pollution that they cause.

TerenceTeacher

No, the use of firecrackers to celebrate Deepavali has not reduced at all. Actually, I feel the use of crackers has increased. It is up to the educated class to realise the ills of bursting firecrackers and stop.

AshithaFashion student

The crackers that are the most annoying are the bombs that just produce noise and nothing else. People should use crackers that produce light. There should be awareness to clean up after Deepavali .

SabrenTeacher

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