This year witnessed Dassera and Diwali back with a big bang, post the COVID lockdown. People were eager and excited to welcome festivities in a great way and besides the shopping and sweets, one of the biggest spends has been on fire-crackers and lighting. While lighting is very much appreciated and spreads cheer and smiles, the accompanying fire-crackers (esp. noisy ones) amuse only the ones lighting them. Here's why -

1. Noise Pollution: Noise-levels are atrocious. Causes anxiety and stress.
2. Human Health Loss: Causes harm to humans - temporary loss of hearing, stresses out babies, little children, and elders. People have also faced other health losses - loss of sight or disfiguration of the face, pulmonary illnesses, and the like.
3. Animal Health Loss: Causes harm to animals and birds too. Even pets get so stressed, imagine the plight of poor strays. Don't they deserve to live peacefully?
4. Environment Loss: The bursting of firecrackers is killing our already degraded environment. Look at all the undesirable climate changes around us. We're simply adding on to that as if the routine pollutants we generate aren't enough.

With so much deterioration piling on, should firecrackers continue to be produced the way they are? I disagree and urge you to think in the favor of people, animals, and our environment.

I am not against celebrating and having fun. But loud noise and high-level emissions aren't fun. If that's how people want to celebrate, then let's opt for green firecrackers - reduced noise and emissions, while still unhealthy.

If we deliberate and weigh the pros and cons, I am positive you too will agree that banning firecrackers is a fair ask. To health and happiness for all (esp. animals and environment). Requesting your support. �