How typical is your Diwali?

Manpriya Singh

There’s no dearth of Diwali clichés—same old TV commercials, dry fruits and chocolate boxes; traffic jams…the list goes on. Twitter will be flooded with Diwali messages and the Whatsapp with unread wishes.

After the incessant khaana peena and naach gaana, the day after we’ll be left with pollution in the air, toxins in the body and cracker residue on the streets. Do something different this Diwali; how about we burst some clichés instead?

Starting with the most preached about (but not as much practiced about) cracker-free Diwali…why? For the pets, babies, future generations and planet Earth!

Like B-town’s darlings Alia and Anushka have. Last year both the actresses raised their voice for a cracker-free Diwali.

One for the pets

Cracker-free celebrations not just ensure healthier air for babies, but a friendlier environment for pets. “Diwali is a time of celebrations, lights and…annoying noise,” Anushka Sharma last year put it; it was a heartfelt plea for all her fans through an Instagram message asking them to think about the animals because they couldn’t talk for themselves. “They wait for the spark in your eyes. They like to see you smile. And they absolutely LOVE to have you around. How about you show your furry buddies some love too this #Diwali2016. Have a #PAWsitive Diwali.”

Prosperity or pollution?

On a similar note, TV actor Sahil Salathia shares, “I want to wish all my fellow Indians a very happy Diwali. Please eat till your stomach aches and smile so wide that your jaw hurts.” On a serious note, he adds, “I’m very happy about a cracker-free Diwali; we only have one planet and we want our future generations to see the magic and the prosperity of a Diwali season, right? I think Diwali is about spreading joy, not enhancing the pollution levels in the air.”

Forget the trolls

Unfortunately, she may have been trolled for it, but Shraddha Kapoor is one of the latest from the industry to advocate a cracker-free Diwali. “Diwali is coming up... It’s the Festival of Lights..not of noise & air pollution. PLEASE help keep the air clean and be sensitive to the animals on the streets,” she posts along with a video with her dog.

Meanwhile, Alia too joins in, “What are you choosing this Diwali? #CoExist #PoochOrPataka”. The trollers will troll, we hope the fans follow suit.

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