Aarti Surendranath, former actress, socialite and environmentalist has been campaigning against firecrackers for a while, now. And it's just as well; there have been quite a few incidents in the recent past where people have even passed away or become deaf, and stray animals have suffered due to the use of noisy, inflammable firecrackers.
Aarti has been involved with the environment for as long as she can remember, and the environment and animals are her passion. And though she has not associated herself with one particular organisation, she makes sure that she spreads environment friendly messages through e-mails, texts and even ad campaigns produced by her.
According to her, though we cannot radically act against crackers, tiny individual efforts can make all the difference. So, how does she do her bit during the festival?
"When my kids insisted on bursting crackers that were noisy, I asked them to draw up a list of companies that ensure that their crackers are environment friendly. I then explained why noisy crackers are bad."
Aarti tips off other parents,""I allow them safe fireworks like sparklers, fountains and chakras. The key is helping your child understand why noisy crackers are bad."
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Aarti also tries to spread the message through her gifts and messages. "I slip in a note along with each gift I send!"
More mantras from Aarti:
- All gift wrapping paper is made out of recycled paper.
- She sends out e-cards or text messages. No fancy Diwali cards.
- Convince the people in your building or colony to opt for noiseless crackers. Turn it into a movement.
So, do we really need to worry this much about the after-effects of Diwali on the environment?
"Air and noise pollution goes up a 100 per cent during the Diwali season. Most people do not take environment warnings seriously, but if each family makes an effort to light eco-friendly, noiseless fireworks, environment damage will drop drastically during the festive season," says Gurman Singh, Environment engineer Central Pollution Control Board.
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Art teacher Sweetie Turakhia, 27, stopped using crackers 15 years ago.
"Diwali is the festival of lights and I believe in celebrating it with light. I decorate my home with natural lights like diyas and candles, and make sweets at home." She tries to inculcate these values in her students, too.
"I never tell them not to burst crackers, but replace the noisy, polluting type with the eco-friendly ones. There are quite a few manufacturers who make these crackers. Azad fireworks based in Lucknow make these. They sell everything: sparklers, rockets, fountains and a lot more. What's more, the prices begin at just Rs 10!"
Sweetie's mantras:
- Make paper lanterns at home using old newspapers. Paint and decorate them and the old newspapers will look as good as new!
- Use bulbs that consume less electricity in lanterns and stars.
LIGHT UP…IN YOUR BEDROOM!
"We have been making eco-friendly fireworks for the last five years. These fireworks do not produce any fire or smoke, keeping the environment free of air and noise pollution. You can light them in your bedroom too!" says Gulsher Azad, proprietor, Azad fireworks.
Azad Fireworks make basic sparklers, anars (fountains), chakras and rockets as well as the fancier christmas trees, oxford, titanic and national treasure.
According to Gulsher customers spend 40 per cent of their budget on eco-friendly fireworks and 60 per cent on regular fireworks. "Even though most people are aware of the environmental damage, they still have to get used to the idea of eco-friendly fireworks. People still want to see smoke and hear deafening noises. But eco-friendly fireworks are catching up and making their presence felt."
The damages: Rs 50 to Rs 3,000
Where to shop:
49-B Azad Lane
Water Works Road, Bhadewan
Bazar Khala, Lucknow
Phone: (0) 9839051502
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Sai Prasad Fireworks (based in Mumbai) manufacture eco-friendly fireworks, besides the regular ones.
This year's speciality: the nanne munne eco-friendly package, which includes sparklers, rockets, chakras, fountains and other fireworks. They have tried to ensure that regular fireworks are less polluting.
"Despite the awareness I cannot stop people from buying. But I make sure that deadly bombs (like the atom bombs with a 120 decibel level) are manufactured with lower decibel levels (100 decibels), " says Yatin Shingre, Owner, Sai Prasad Fireworks.
The damages: Rs 10 to Rs 1,500
Where to shop:
Shop No 7
Royal Apartments, Somwar Bazar
Opposite Jama Masjid
Malad West, Mumbai
Phone: (022) 28898859
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Standard fireworks make eco-friendly fireworks and retail all over the country. Most local shops also atock eco-friendly fireworks, so make sure you ask for you environment friendly stock.
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AN ECO-FRIENDLY WISH
Vaibhav Diwakar of VJ Imprints (a card manufacturing company) has been making eco-friendly cards for all occasions and gift packages for over 10 years. "We use paper that is recycled from cotton rags and our paper products are absolutely wood-free! We then get local craftsmen to paint and design all our cards, gift boxes and notebooks."
These cards are available at select card stores across the globe.
The damages: Rs 50 onwards
Card manufactures like Archies and Hallmark, too, have a range of eco-friendly cards. There are a few smaller companies too that manufacture eco-friendly cards. Eco-friendly cards usually have a small message on the back of the card stating that it is eco-friendly. This year make sure that you pick one of those.
"You don't need inspiration to have an eco-friendly Diwali. The state of the environment should be incentive enough," Aarti concludes. So, do you plan to go eco-friendly this Diwali?
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