If you haven't caught on, I'm referring to the slight but sure increase in the rate of firecracker bursting. Literally wrote on this issue a few years back, and I've noticed a few of the readers to have burst crackers this year. Like just understand this one fact, CLIMATE CHANGE ISN'T A JOKE. And I'm sure you're already rolling your eyes because lets face it, you already know this. What I don't understand is, people are still bursting the crackers, and this time the rate has increased too! And why? Just because Diwali doesn't feel the same without that kind of a celebration?!
Now for the adults reading this that live under a rock or don't know this till now for some reason, I'm just going to briefly explain what the issue with crackers really is.
The shortest explanation is, firecrackers burst to emit various harmful gases into the atmosphere which float higher until they accumulate under Earth's natural protective barrier, the ozone layer. This ozone layer is extremely crucial and is of massive importance because it shields us all from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the Sun. And for those of you who went "so what?" at that, UV rays cause various illnesses across every single living organism race. And since you probably care most about humans, they cause various skin cancers in people who are exposed to the rays.
And so you can probably see why breaking your only shield for "fun" isn't such a great idea.
It can't even get more absurd than this, I've seen people who burst crackers because of reasons known as "so what" or "it'll be fine" or "I've been doing this since my childhood". And the best and most prominent of them all: "Diwali just isn't the same without me bursting these crackers." That's literally as dumb as a King destroying his castle's walls to let the enemy in because it'd look cool.
*To the adults: Alright fine, I accept that you've been doing this ever since your childhood, and now it's hard to change. Fine, I accept that you have issues leaving your ways because they are a crucial part of your celebrations. But before you people continue bursting crackers, just visualize your grandkids in front of you. And just think of each firecracker as a bullet in a gun, a gun pointed straight at your ward's head. But there is a shield between your gun and their head. Each firecracker is making this shield weaker and weaker with each cracker burst, and you're just standing there with them, teaching them the "festive ways".
But there's only so much the shield can take before you end up killing them.
Now tell me, is it worth it? Is it worth celebrating by bursting crackers now just to end up mourning later?
And after you get your answer, the choice is yours.
*To the current and newer generations: What the hell are you doing? You know very well the consequences of the crackers, and so I'm not going to explain this to you too. But seriously, I expect better from you. I've had some people literally text me that "it'll be fine" or that "you're overthinking dude". Heck, some have even mocked at me for it.
But I think it's time you start thinking about whether "it'll be fine" for the future. Start thinking ahead.
When you say "it'll be fine if I burst just one", you're not alone. There are millions of kids just like you all over the country doing the same exact thing. And we're supposed to be the change, we're supposed to learn from the previous generation's mistakes.
The change doesn't always have to be up there and running for you to join it, sometimes you could take part in its beginning, too.
And I know that Diwali might sound really purposeless if you don't celebrate with crackers, and I can agree with you. If you literally have nothing to celebrate with, how is it ever going to be a fun festival right? Well, luckily, if you're really eager to celebrate by doing something with money to spare, I have an alternative.
Just consider this....not everyone in the country gets to celebrate Diwali like you do. There are people who mourn, simply don't go outside or literally starve. I'm talking about physically challenged people, so many children at orphanages, the almost infinite number of illiterates who have no money to use for the celebration of this joyous festival. Doesn't it seem unfair that while you literally burn your money for a harmful cause, people out there suffer?
So my alternative is, instead of using your money for such a beautiful yet destructive cause, please take a moment to think about just how much of a change you'd be contributing to if you donated to them. Any amount, just being of help in the slightest way possible would make you feel as if you've done something right. And plus you'd be making someone else happier than ever, hence making sure that they too enjoy the festival. And there are plenty of organizations that are literally trying to save the Earth, one dollar, one tree planted and one pound of trash at a time. Consider donating to movements like #teamSeas and #teamTrees and each dollar will result in one pound of trash removed from the ocean and one tree planted, respectively. (Go to teamtrees.org and teamseas.org for more information.)
But please think on this issue, and most importantly, ACT on it too. And after helping someone in need, the smile you'll see on their face will be more valuable than any amount of firecrackers you could ever burst.
Thank you for reading!
Happy Diwali!!
-Armaan Kothare
Please consider donating to #teamtrees and #teamseas to help save the world!! (literally)
True Sonny boy !! Unfortunately this year people seem to be coming at it with a vengeance !! It seems more along communal lines - than basic common sense... Just because they do it or they aren't stopped and people raise it only when we celebrate.... So heck we will light the crackers regardless...
ReplyDeleteThe sound, air pollution and its harmful effects on the population young and old - are again lost on the populace...
Not to mention the fire hazards of littering half or unburst crackers, th way we are leaving behind a whole load of carbon footprint.
Ofcourse there's another aspect that should be addressed too. The proponents of climate change need to look at and clamp down on fireworks displays on independence days or new year's days all over the world. Apparently they create more of the same nonsense as Indians create during Diwali !!
yes, this is true and the sooner people realize this, the better it will be.
Deleteour futures are on the line
thanks for reading :)
Hi Armaan,
ReplyDeleteI respect your views and I agree too that environment is the most important thing everyone should concentrate on and is the only heritage which we can pass on.
Though I would like to add a prespective here. You are looking at just these 5 days of a year. There are remaining 361 days when people don't bother about pollution and that is the bigger problem. People use high end cars/bikes, a whole lot of plastic and dumb them streets or by polluting waterways. People need to have a civic sense.
People should change but not only for Diwali and Holi but for every occasion including cricket matches, marriages, parties, new year celebration, etc. etc.
People cannot be hypocrite. I saw one celebrity talking about why not to burst firecrackers on diwali as my dog gets stressed and I have asthema and what not, on the other hand on her wedding, they burst so many firecrackers which accumulated for entire month's air popllution for that city.
Hope to see your more posts and ideas to save the planet.
I will end with, every world citizen should take every possible step to save the planet. Each step counts.
You're absolutely correct; there are a lot of other issues regarding pollution throughout the year, and many of these get easily overlooked upon. We should definitely try to reduce other sources of pollution too, and not just during selective festivals. I will try to write more on this soon.
DeleteThank you for reading!
Firstly, thank you, for speaking up on this issue! It's really disappointing how people choose to destruct the environment to get a momentary boost of adrenaline and to watch a pretty scene that lasts about five seconds.
ReplyDeleteAlso that's a great alternative! Perhaps if we start donating to save the environment more, we'd have naturally pretty scenes rather than destructive, temporary artificial ones.
I loved the article! Keep writing :)
yes, it's very disappointing; but I'm sure we could reduce pollution if all of us started acting upon the issue instead of ignoring the outcomes of our mistakes today. Each action counts.
Deletethanks for reading, and I wish you luck for your writing ventures as well :))
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ReplyDelete.
DeleteWell penned thoughts!! I liked the examples too!! Keep writing even if you are repeating the message.. it is indeed an important message to all!!
ReplyDeleteVery good 😊😊
I'm glad you liked it!
Deleteyes, you're right...thanks for reading, keep giving me your feedback/thoughts and suggestions :DD