TOI : Eco-friendly choice: Diyas and rangolis : Nov 5,2007

Mumbai: Eighteen-year-old Riddhi Shah quit bursting fireworks from the time she was in Class IV and learnt of the cheap child labour used in cracker factories.

The Jai Hind College student is also averse to the smog and noise that accompany fireworks. “I have even discouraged kids in my building from bursting crackers. I get them to draw rangolis instead,’’ she said.

Riddhi is just one amongst a growing breed of youngsters who are turning their backs on toxic phatakras and opting for less p o l l u t i n g , noiseless ways of celebrating the ‘festival of light’.

Schools, principals and many children are all doing their bit to initiate the silent revolution. Father Francis Swamy, principal of Holy Family School, Andheri, has even sent out circulars to parents with a Diwali message that has an appeal to be more environmentally friendly during the festive season.

“It is important that parents reinforce what children are being taught at school,’’ said Meera Isaacs, principal of Cathedral and John Connon School, Fort, adding that the school constantly reminded children of the ill-effects of firecrackers.

“A number of secondary school students at Cathedral school have even taken an oath never to use firecrackers,’’ said Isaacs.

With growing awareness about the ill-effects of firecrackers and the unjust labour practices in fireworks factories, many parents, like Tanvi Aazmi, are initiating their young ones into a Diwali filled with colour and light, but little sound.

“I never use crackers. Why burst crackers when there are already enough things to make one deaf in Mumbai?’’ asked Azmi. Instead of the excitement of phatakras, Azmi’s six-year-old daughter loves drawing rangolis and lighting diyas during Diwali.

Often, the decision to abstain from firecrackers is taken by children themselves. Ten-year-old Pranati Shah and her friends have decided not to use firecrackers at all after teachers at school informed the children of the harm they cause.

This trend hasn’t escaped the notice of manufacturers and shopkeepers, either. Though this year’s sales are as good as ever, they feel that children today come with a better understanding of noise pollution.

“These days, many young children tell their parents not to buy noisy crackers, even when parents don’t mind being indulgent,’’ said Rafeeq Shaikh, who sells crackers on Mohammed Ali Road.

However, he added that while children are clearly not interested in the ultra-noisy phatakras, the new varieties of musical firecrackers on display are definitely a hit with many children.

While it’s bad enough for humans, the noise is also unbearable for the city’s canine population. City dog lovers, who have witnessed their four-legged friends hiding under sofas and beds in a bid to escape the noise, are also boycotting crackers.