Bhubaneswar: As the festival of lights approaches, calls for celebrating a clean and green Diwali are growing louder.
Experts and environmentalists have appealed to citizens to choose traditional earthen diyas over firecrackers to make the festive season more mindful of the environment.The best celebrations don’t need crackers. Lighting diyas not only upholds tradition but also helps in avoiding smoke and noise pollution caused by bursting firecrackers.
Citizens have been urged to say no to smoke and noise and say yes to cleaner, healthier celebrations.A cracker-free Diwali ensures better air quality, protects the health of children, the elderly and animals, and keeps the festival truly auspicious. This Diwali, let’s light a diya, not pollution.
Why Say No to Crackers?
Bursting crackers releases toxic smoke containing harmful chemicals that severely impact air quality. It poses serious health risks for children, elderly persons, pregnant women and those with respiratory issues. The loud noise also causes immense distress to animals, birds and newborns.
How to Celebrate a Meaningful, Cracker-Free Diwali:
Light Traditional Diyas: Illuminate your home with earthen diyas and candles. It not only supports local potters but also keeps the traditional essence of Diwali alive.
Go for Eco-friendly Decoration: Use natural flowers, mango leaves, rangoli made from organic colours, rice paste and recycled materials for decoration.
Share Sweets and Gifts: Celebrate by sharing sweets, homemade delicacies and thoughtful gifts with family, neighbours and the underprivileged, instead of spending money on crackers.
Spend Time With Family: Use the festival as an opportunity to bond with family, play indoor games, tell stories to children and create lasting memories.
Help the Needy: Light up someone else’s Diwali by donating clothes, food or books to orphanages, old-age homes and to those affected by the recent floods in South Odisha.
Plant a Sapling: This Diwali, plant a tree or gift a sapling to your loved ones — a gift that will keep growing.
Say no to smoke and noise. Say yes to cleaner, healthier celebrations. Let’s make this Diwali not just brighter, but also breathable.
