The country has been witnessing a love-hate relationship with Diwali firecrackers for the last few years.

Recently a petition was filed at the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India by three toddlers (through their parents) seeking restriction on bursting crackers in the morning and direction that crackers should be burst at designated areas only.

The Supreme Court has refused to impose a complete ban on crackers and has reiterated its earlier ruling that allows bursting crackers between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Additionally, the Court directed the government to publish frequent advertisements about the harm from firecrackers in the run-up to Diwali.

While crackers do have a terrible impact on the environment (read – old people, patients, babies, animals and birds), a silent Diwali may be a sad affair. That said, nothing stops us from sparing a thought for others and bursting crackers in moderation, with sensitivity towards our neighbours (the new born next door or the ailing grandmother upstairs or the pet at home).
It is still a Happy Diwali!