Law stays silent as firecrackers deafen…..Meghna Sharma
Festivals like Diwali are supposed to be occasions of joy and bonhomie. Speak Up finds out why then do we celebrate with pollution, noise and fear? Why do our laws have such gaping holes that allow loud crackers to pass with impunity?
Festivals like Diwali are supposed to be occasions of joy and bonhomie. Speak Up finds out why then do we celebrate with pollution, noise and fear? Why do our laws have such gaping holes that allow loud crackers to pass with impunity?
“If the government really wants to ban firecrackers then why did they spend so much on them during the Commonwealth Games?” asks Abdulla Ghia, the owner of one of the biggest shops selling firecrackers on Mohammed Ali Road, Essabhai firework Pvt Ltd.
Diwali, the nosiest and brightest among the numerous festivals of India, is around the corner. And come the festive season, people make a beeline for the stores that sell the ever-popular firecrackers.
But this year, the state government has called for eco-friendly celebrations, and if the pollution board has its way then firecrackers that produce noise in excess of 65 decibels (db) might be banned soon.
From sutli bomb to rockets, the demand for firecrackers increases manifold during the festive season. However, doctors, environmentalists and noise activists have been shouting at the top of their lungs to create awareness about the harmful chemicals they consist of, but not many people are paying attention.
Aditya Naik, a fourth-year BE student, doesn’t mind spending thousands of rupees on crackers. “Diwali is license to celebrate throughout the night with friends. It’s not that we don’t know about its side-effects, but it comes once a year, so it’s okay,” says Naik.
Rupa Rao, a psychologist, feels that we are a selfish society and don’t really care about how are actions can affect others. However, over the years, there has been a change. “People who suffer from anxiety don’t need an excuse, but loud noises during Diwali can trigger an attack.”
The city has many who fear loud noises and get affected by it — children are on top of this list. These people have an option of going out of the city during the festive season; however, if one is unable to do so, one can close the windows and stay indoors.
Rupesh Lalwani (name changed on request), a resident of Chembur, was hospitalised for four days after a panic attack due to the loud sounds during Diwali last year. He was depressed and the loud noises added to this anxiety.
Apart from the noise level, the activists want people to be aware of the chemical components of fireworks and the date of manufacture as well. Most crackers sold don’t have either. The Supreme Court, in 2005, had not only banned the use of loudspeakers and sound-producing firecrackers after 10.00pm, but had also ordered that only firecrackers which produce sounds less than 125 decibels should be manufactured.
The firecracker manufacturing companies either don’t print it or just print the ‘best before’ date. And instead of components, a warning is prescribed stating ‘Do not hold it in hand’ or ‘keep away from children’. Although, there a few who do print all the required details on the box.
Pritesh Shah, owner of a firecracker shop in Malad, says, “None of our customers check the date of manufacture. They are just interested in the crackers — the noisy as well as the light emitting ones.”
Shops like Elite Fireworks,in Mohammed Ali Road, and My Toys and Crackers, in Ghatkopar, have have been around for decades and cater to people from various backgrounds. “The rich want crackers which are high on display, whereas the poor want the noisy ones as they are cheaper,” says one of the workers.
The amount of money spent on crackers is a matter of prestige for many. Debi Goenka, an environmentalist, says, “Instead of gloating, people should be ashamed. Festivals, especially Diwali, have significance. They are more than just a license to pollute the environment.”
Expert views
Most injuries occur among preschool children
The incidence of firecracker-related eye injuries rises dramatically during Diwali because of the many new and unfamiliar firecrackers that enter the market every year. This has turned the beautiful festival of lights into a nightmare for some families.
While enjoying the joyous moments of Diwali, most people tend to overlook some important things that may prove fatal for their health. Bright fireworks and zooming rockets may well prove to be hazardous if not handled carefully. Most of these injuries occur among preschool-age children. Adults often do not supervise children, and this can be very risky. The victims of these injuries are primarily onlookers or bystanders.
The injured usually complain about vision problems, redness, watering or inability to open the eye. Serious eye injuries can lead to cataract, retinal edema, retinal detachment, infection or total disfigurement of the eye. It can also lead to serious vision problems or loss of vision. We also get a lot of cases of burns and infections due to firecrackers.
Other than that, the harmful gases and the pollution caused by bursting firecrackers cause redness in the eyes, which leads to dry eye, itchiness, etc. Some precautionary measures that people should follow are:
Wear protective glasses; keep a safe distance while burning crackers; use lubricating eye drops; and do not rub your eyes harshly. Also, one should keep the firecrackers in a closed box. Children should burn crackers only under the supervision of adults and in case of burns must wash their eyes thoroughly.
—Dr Vaishal Kenia, chairman, Kenia Eye Hospital