Mixed response to restrictions on bursting of crackers

Court decision right, but it came too late

Restrictions on sale and bursting of crackers is long-awaited and a step in the right direction. But it has come late and has upset the cracker traders and the revelers alike. The age-old practice of bursting crackers as a part of Diwali celebrations cannot be done away with in one go. The real impact of the move will be felt from the next year. At the same time, some alternative mode of yearly festivities will have to be evolved.

Tejinder Singh Kalra, Mohali

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Responsibility now lies with people, officials

The authorities through public address system must make the public aware about the restrictions and consequences of violations. The government efforts notwithstanding, people too should maintain self-restraint and ensure the guidelines on the sale and bursting of firecrackers are followed. Mohalla welfare committees can play a vital role in educating people, especially children, about the ill-effects of bursting crackers. Doing so not only causes pollution but also poses risks of eye injuries and burns. Remember Diwali is the festival of lights. It has to be celebrated with traditional fervour, but with symbolic lighting and sparing damage to environment and living beings.

SS Arora, Mohali

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Stop production of firecrackers

Why does the government not stop the production and sale of firecrackers? Political leaders are never ready to take blames and pass the buck to traders and general public.

Harbhajan Singh

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Self-restraint sole answer to Diwali pollution

Exercising self-restraint can only prevent the harmful effects of fireworks on the ecology and lungs, eyes and ears of people. Needless to say, the noise of fireworks is a big problem for the ailing and the aged. Citizens should act responsibly by adhering to the restrictions imposed for the welfare of the generations to come. The authorities should strictly implement the High Court order as it is a matter of serious concern. It is for the welfare of mankind.

Gurnam Singh Rathore, Chandigarh

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Impose self-ban, don’t burn your money away

There are numerous ways to celebrate. We should impose a self-ban on bursting crackers. While crackers not only create air and noise pollution, but also cause fire incidents and pose health hazards to people suffering from asthma and other ailments. We can save or spend our money more judicially and for better purpose than buying and bursting crackers.

Kamalpreet Kaur, Mohali

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New beginning of pollution-free festivity

It is the order of the day to save environment. The restrictions imposed on bursting of crackers would mark a new beginning of a pollution-free Diwali. It is now for the authorities to implement the court order. On their part, people should respect and abide by the HC direction. Awareness holds the key. People should be educated about the harmful effects of crackers. Residents’ welfare associations and NGOs can support the government in achieving the objective. 

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

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Ban no way, develop smokeless crackers

The all-of-sudden limitations on bursting of crackers are not welcome. The government should have worked on developing smokeless crackers years ago. Had it been done, the problem of pollution would not have assumed alarming proportions. There is no gainsaying that political parties are more worried about their vote bank rather than the environment.

Vinay Prakash, Chandigarh

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Setback for kids, youth

It is kids and the youth who burst crackers to celebrate Diwali. They wait for this day the whole year long. For them, crackers are synonymous to Diwali celebrations. Most of those above 40 do not have the zeal or the spirit to have a blast. Ironically, the rulers of the nation, judges, administrators and public representatives, who have the say in such matters, are all above 40.

Ramesh Varma, Panchkula

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3-hour slot for bursting crackers mistimed

Crackers are burst on a night before Diwali and after ‘pooja’ (around 9pm) on the festival of lights. The celebrations continue till the midnight. In view of this, the time slot of three hours from 6.30pm to 9.30pm for fireworks is not proper. It should have been up to midnight. If discotheques can remain open beyond midnight throughout the year, which pollutes the society, why impose restrictions on Diwali celebrations, which is for a few hours?

Subodh Kumar, Raipur Khurd

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Ignite minds, not crackers

The bursting of crackers during Diwali, which is primarily the festival of lights, has done more harm than good in the shape of air pollution. The practice damages eyes and lungs. The ban has been rightly enforced. Everyone must abide by it for a pollution-free tomorrow. Some die-hards need to change their perception of celebrations; earlier, the better. Let the light of lamps spread happiness all around.

Sardul Singh Dhawan, Chandigarh

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Restrictions not welcome

The decision taken by the High Court is not plausible. We finish our pooja by 8 pm or 8.30 pm. We would hardly get time to burst crackers. Diwali without crackers is unimaginable? I believe that Diwali is a festival of happiness and there should be no restrictions on celebrations. Even if it has to be three-hour restriction, let it begin at 7.30 pm. 

Shelley

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Early decision could have saved traders’ losses

If this decision had been taken early, it would have been in the interests of traders as they could have minimised their purchases. The court decision is well-intended but difficult to implement. The bursting of firecrackers should be allowed for at least four hours.

Tarlok Singh, Manimajra

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Spare a thought for generations to come

Nobody refuses to accept that pollution is increasing day by day and changing climate pattern testifies it. People should put on their thinking caps and limit or stop bursting crackers for the sake of the generations to come. The judiciary should also limit its intervention in the domain of executive. 

Naveen Pathak, Chandigarh

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Diwali will be dull without crackers

People usually burst crackers after ‘pooja’. It is only after 8 pm that people usually take up fireworks. The charm of Diwali will be lost if the timing is not extended till 11.30 pm.

Gopal Sharma

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Ban should be enforced whole year long

The crackers of high decibel generate maximum air and noise pollution. As such, their production, storage and sale should be banned throughout the year. The local law-enforcing agencies should be entrusted with the job of implementing the High Court order to keep the air pollution within the permissible limits.

KC Rana, Chandigarh

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Go green this Diwali

The three-hour slot for bursting crackers is a right move and should be carried forward to the next year as well. Reeling under GST and demonetisation effects, public too would refrain from spending on crackers. Today, even children are aware of the side-effects of crackers.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh

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Official will must for enforcing the ban

The restrictions on bursting of crackers can be enforced effectively, provided there is official will to do so. The Deputy Commissioner, SDMs, the SSP and area councillors assisted by the police should patrol the streets after the window period ends. If required, videography should be undertaken to nail the violators for contempt of court.

Kamaljeet Grewal

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Allow crackers that produce less noise

It would have been highly appreciable if the High Court alters its order on bursting of crackers and allow crackers that emit only colour and light and do not cause hazardous noise pollution.

Hemant Kumar, Ambala City

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Spread awareness

The authorities have to spread awareness on the court order that it is not only beneficial to a single person but all. The Administration has to find harmonious ways like rallies, camps, seminars and rewards to sensitise people.

Baljinder Singh Sandhu, Faridkot

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Crackers not only polluter

It is not that only crackers cause pollution. What about auto-rickshaws, buses, diesel vehicles that pollute environment 365 days a year? Why dampen the spirits of the major festival of India, especially when it lasts a day? Applying curbs on pollution is okay and welcome but it should be a fair exercise. Kids celebrate Diwali by bursting crackers.

Sandeep Gupta

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Eleventh-hour move not acceptable

Though crackers cause a lot of noise and air pollution, a blanket ban on bursting these at the eleventh hour is not a welcome move. The government should regulate the manufacturing of very low-intensity crackers so that pollution caused by their use is kept under check. Fix timings for celebrations and penalise violators.

Kishore Kumar Sharma, Zirakpur

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COMMENT

Shun crackers for liveable tomorrow

Nitin Jain

Diwali and firecrackers having come to be known as synonyms, the celebration of the festival of lights is considered incomplete without bursting of crackers. The practice, having persisted over the ages, attracts one and all, especially the young. But while bursting a cracker, little does one realise how much it would pollute our environment - both air and sound - and cause a huge damage to our flora and fauna. This is apart from the injuries, sometimes irreparable, suffered by many, especially kids, while igniting firecrackers even if one chooses to ignore the hole these burn in the pocket of the buyer.

With the residents failing to exercise self-restraint and the authorities concerned continuing to turn a blind eye to enforcing the semblance of Diwali-eve restrictions imposed from time to time, the judiciary has stepped in to act as a saviour. 

While the Supreme Court has suspended the sale of firecrackers in Delhi NCR up to November 1, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has fixed a three-hour slot for the bursting of firecrackers on Diwali in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana. It has banned bursting of firecrackers before and after Diwali till October 26, the next date of hearing in the case. The High Court has also restricted the sale of firecrackers.

Inexorably, it has come as a great shock to not only cracker dealers and consumers at large but also the authorities concerned, which are bound to implement the order. Those who think it will dampen the spirit of Diwali should come forward to celebrate the festival without crackers. We can do it by lighting more diyas, candles, illuminating buildings and helping the needy. Exercising self-restraint, the public at large should adhere to the restrictions and set a precedent. The authorities have no option but to get into the gear and channelise energy and the wherewithal to implement the HC order, and ensure that nobody bursts crackers except between 6.30 pm and 9.30 pm on Diwali.

Weigh this! Crackers alone do not make Diwali. The celebrations can be more joyous without polluting the environment and darkening the future. We have to live to celebrate the next Diwali. But how can we survive if crackers continue to pollute our air and choke our lungs? Say bye to firecrackers to live today, and make our tomorrow liveable.