The national capital woke up to a pleasant morning, with the gleam of diyas and echo of chants, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali or Deepavali. The significant Hindu festival, which is celebrated with great fervour across the country, marks the triumph of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, the people of Ayodhya celebrated Lord Rama’s return from 14 years of exile by lighting up their homes and streets. But is this festival of lights doing any good to our environment or rather aggravating the ever increasing air and noise pollution?
Last year Diwali was celebrated on the 14th of November while this year it is being celebrated about ten days earlier. In 2012, sluggish heavier moist easterly winds coming from Punjab gave rise to fog (clouds on the lower levels of atmosphere close to land) which trapped smoke and pollutants gathered up by burning of crackers to create smog. This year air pollution is expected to be much less than last year but this is due to the dry and cool north westerly winds coming from Rajasthan. Delhi, parts of Haryana, Punjab and west Uttar Pradesh have been experiencing smog-ridden morning hours since a week now.
Time variation of 10 to 12 days in the celebration of Diwali is a sufficient reason to result in significant changes in the pollution level on account of varied weather conditions and parameters like temperature and humidity. The average maximum and minimum temperature of Delhi in October is 32.9 degree Celsius and 19.5 degree Celsius respectively. A month later in November, the mercury generally falls by few notches and records 28.3 degree Celsius and 12.8 degree Celsius as maximum and minimum temperatures.
If this year records less of air pollution, we should maybe thank the weather conditions rather than people’s sense of responsibility towards Earth's environment. Instead of going berserk with fire crackers, which effectively contributes to global warming, a bit of sensibility could add more sparkle to Diwali in the future. Crackers cost a lot money, which could be put to other, better use. And whoever thinks bursting more crackers serves as a status indicator in this day age, couldn't be more wrong. A lot of people might go for eco-friendly, carbon free and buy noiseless crackers, but it is still an economical waste.
So the question arises, is Diwali transforming from the festival of lights and happiness to the festival of pollution and destruction? Well, we urge all of you to take a moment and think about it. Wish you all a very happy Diwali!
picture courtesy- freepressjournal.com
