During this Diwali – the festival of light, we the Indian’s have burned up about Rs. 450 cr. worth of crackers. In Mumbai, middle-income group families buy up to Rs 25,000 worth of fireworks while in Tamil Nadu it is a modest Rs 5,000. So that’s the kind of money we spend on this Diwali nuisance – yes I meant it… the whole cracker stuff is a nonsense.
Well, I am not against a few small crackers and some nice stuff for the kids. But I am totally against spending such a huge amount on nothing but noise, pollution and injuries. From what I could get from the news papers, not less than 3-4 children has lost their eyes and there are many cases of fire related injuries too…
I did take my chance of going out to the street on Diwali night – ofcourse with a big bundle of cotton in my ear and wish I could have fire resistant clothing too. I had to wade through thick blanket of smoke and at times try some circus as kids sent rockets “parallel” to the ground. It didn’t take me long before I realize that its no good business to be out there and I just made my way back home as if I am in a military camp trying to clear an obstacle course.
Our neighbor had a new born baby at their house and I could hear the cry of that poor thing even at midnight as crackers were still going around. My little angel was also frightened, but somehow managed not to cry. Just across the street was an old couple who were suffering from asthma and I just hope they are still alive!
Apart from the above health hazards, it’s the kind of social injustice which pizzes me off!.. The money we just burn off during Diwali is good enough to build not less than 10 medical collages in the rural areas of India where the sick die just because they can’t afford the expenses in private hospitals. It can also make about 100 schools where our kids can study or we could’ve even come up with a factory which would’ve changed the fortunes of a thousand people!
Its this feeling which stops me from buying crackers whether its on Diwali or Christmas… its just a pile of nonsense you would burn if you buy crackers… and if you are just about to argue on the fate of those employees who work in the factories which make crackers… here is a piece of advice… there are factories which makes bombs… just to help the employees, would you try to buy some and light them up in your backyard??
Well, I am not against a few small crackers and some nice stuff for the kids. But I am totally against spending such a huge amount on nothing but noise, pollution and injuries. From what I could get from the news papers, not less than 3-4 children has lost their eyes and there are many cases of fire related injuries too…
I did take my chance of going out to the street on Diwali night – ofcourse with a big bundle of cotton in my ear and wish I could have fire resistant clothing too. I had to wade through thick blanket of smoke and at times try some circus as kids sent rockets “parallel” to the ground. It didn’t take me long before I realize that its no good business to be out there and I just made my way back home as if I am in a military camp trying to clear an obstacle course.
Our neighbor had a new born baby at their house and I could hear the cry of that poor thing even at midnight as crackers were still going around. My little angel was also frightened, but somehow managed not to cry. Just across the street was an old couple who were suffering from asthma and I just hope they are still alive!
Apart from the above health hazards, it’s the kind of social injustice which pizzes me off!.. The money we just burn off during Diwali is good enough to build not less than 10 medical collages in the rural areas of India where the sick die just because they can’t afford the expenses in private hospitals. It can also make about 100 schools where our kids can study or we could’ve even come up with a factory which would’ve changed the fortunes of a thousand people!
Its this feeling which stops me from buying crackers whether its on Diwali or Christmas… its just a pile of nonsense you would burn if you buy crackers… and if you are just about to argue on the fate of those employees who work in the factories which make crackers… here is a piece of advice… there are factories which makes bombs… just to help the employees, would you try to buy some and light them up in your backyard??
1 comment:
Well... thanks for the comment...
About you knowing me... I am not really sure you know me that much :)
I don't waste money on Cigarette, and internet is to work from home and about beer... yes I do drink a COUPLE of them in a WEEK.
I enjoy your comments on blogs, but just to give a heads up, negative critisism is as good as waste too.
You have no clues as to what I do for the community... so my whole point here is one got to think of others before thinking ourself.
Peace out...
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