Diwali is one of the most joyous times of the year. The festival which is celebrated across the nation for numerous believes and reasons. Diwali celebrates Lord Rama’s glorious and long awaited return to his kingdom of Ayodhya after his fourteen years of exile in the forest. It commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura who had kidnapped the gopis of Vrindavan. It is also celebrated as the marriage day of Lord Narayana and Mahalakshmi. Diwali is also associated with the defeat of Bali – a demon king by Lord Vishnu. Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil, of truth over falsehood and of light over darkness. But what is ‘evil’ in today’s society? To herald the triumph of truth over falsehood, it is necessary to know and accept the ‘truth’.
According to the Global Air Pollution data and Indiaspend analysis of national data, India’s air quality was among the world’s worst air during the Diwali weekend last year. It was the period when Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar recorded PM 2.5 levels of over 500 mg/m3 – exhibiting “beyond scale” pollution values, according to the database run by Berkeley Earth, an independent US research organisation. PM 2.5 is fine Particulate Matter about 30 times finer than a human hair. These particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing heart attacks, strokes, lungs cancer and respiratory disease. The smoke from firecrackers containsulphur compounds, heavy metal, other toxic chemicals and harmful fumes of gases. Due to these toxic emissions from firework, people with breathing problems and sensitive to chemicals get effected severely. Infants, elders and the sick people are generally weak hearted and their lungs and nostrils are too tender. These emissions could suffocate them to death.
Apart from humans, the other living beings are also effected by sparkles, powerful sounds, flashy lights and colours from the fireworks. Most of the animals and birds get scared and panicked, as they don’t know what exactly is happening around them. People hardly consider these living beings before bursting crackers.
The purpose of Diwali is not to glorify the light and noise of firecrackers. The purpose is to glorify the light of ‘righteousness’. The light of Diwali should be within us, symbolising our personal relationship with God and kindling the triumph of good over evil.
