Nostalgia comes in waves around this time of the year as memories of Diwali, a festival that has always been extra special, makes its presence felt. Growing up in Kolkata, the festival always meant goodness was around the corner, accompanied by family bonhomie, rangoli, sweets and snacks prepared painstakingly by my mother at home, and of course the crackers (pollution was not a blip on our radar in the 90s). Today, as I get ready to usher in my favourite festival in the NCR, two children aged 11 and 6 in tow, I feel a sense of reluctance in celebrating everything that comes with it. Here’s why. Given that Diwali is rooted in Hindu mythology and is supposed to be the celebration of good over evil, the home-coming of Lord Ram, crackers have always been an intrinsic part of these celebrations. However, people with small children, those who are asthmatic and older people greet this season with dread, thanks to the terrible air pollution that accompanies every Diwali and the burning of Chinese-made crackers. Now when I have my own little family, I worry about things to come. My son is 6 years old and has a bronchial condition, making him susceptible to catching an infection from the air pollutants floating around post the celebration.
Delhi is ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world, and it gets worse just before Diwali. Diwali is still a few weeks away but warnings have already been issued about the pollution levels in the air. As per the System of AirQuality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi’s air quality is already hovering between moderate and poor on the air quality index. Data collected mid-October to mid-November showed that Delhi’s air is amongst the world’s worst. The people of Delhi have been warned that it’s going to get worse. The added pollution from crop burning in neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab further compounds the problem. This coupled with the Diwali cracker pollution is likely to make the air quality dangerously poor. Below you can see the forecast for the week to come for Delhi and Gurgaon, and this is just before Diwali.
We are actually sitting on a time bomb which is waiting to burst. Here is how you can make small changes to help your kids breathe better this festive season.
Educate your kids – Schools have been talking to children about the effects of firecrackers. My children came back from school with information about air pollution and noise pollution. They are determined to burn noiseless and less smoky firecrackers. Telling your kids about the effects of firecrackers on the environment and their lungs will reinforce what they have been told in school. Education does really begin at home.
Joint fireworks display: I can’t completely restrict my family from lighting firecrackers but I can limit the use. This year we plan to host a Diwali party, where we invite all our friends and neighbours so everyone celebrates the festival together and fewer crackers are burnt as there is a common pool of crackers for everyone. We have noticed that this drastically reduces the number of crackers each family burns, thereby reducing the adverse impact on the environment and your pocket.
Avoid staying outdoors for long: SAFAR has warned people from staying outdoors for extended periods of time, especially those suffering from lung disorders. Thick smog is already covering the city and this situation will only get worse once the firecrackers burning begins full throttle.
Transport System: The Delhi Government had initiated a project earlier this year where carpooling was being encouraged and so was the use of public transport. The children and I opt to use the Delhi Metro to travel around the city during this time and make an activity out of it. It keeps them engaged and also ensures they have a civil conscience.
Air Purifier: Invest in a good air purifier for your kids and yourself. It really helps make breathing easier. Since most allergies stem from dust, an air purifier is ideal to help clean the home environment and remove dust and any other harmful particles.
Talk to them: More than anything sit down with your kids ahead of Diwali and explain the significance of the festival and how it has evolved over time. Children parrot their parents and if they see you being the change, chances are they will follow suit. Don’t tone down on the dressing up, sweets, rangoli and other aspects of the festival that are significant and heartening. Keep the joy of Diwali alive by making small but significant changes and help create a bank of beautiful memories for you and your loved ones.
Mansi Zaveri
Janani S Koushik
Rushita Sheth
