We had the most wonderful Bhau Beej at home. I am still in a bit of a trance. Since most of the fire cracker enthusiasts had exhausted their stock by Day 4, we were saved from the annoyance of having to deal with noise pollution. I have never understood the 'fun' derived through ear shattering bombs or even the smoke spewing anaars. Marine Drive was a nightmare the previous evening with hundreds of Mumbaikars 'enjoying' themselves while cops looked the other way. Diwali is the time for love ansd peace - not pollution. People show scant concern for animals and birds - so many get seriously injured because of those wretched rockets . Six of our unsung and brave firemen died trapped in an elevator dousing flames in a flat that had suffered a rocket attack. I couldn't bear to read the account, it was so tragic. Ditto for reports of dogs and other pets suffering third degree burns on account of spoilt, careless kids chucking burning crackers at them. I am sure parents of these sadistic brats don't as much as scold ,much less punish the monsters. What about patients recuperating in city hospitals who have to put up with deafening blasts late into the night?? Sheer cruelty.
Next year, I hope more citizens protest and ask for bans on offensive 'distractions'. Soon Mumbai will see new local representatives taking charge of the Assembly. One of the measures we must demand is an end to this menace.
Back to work. .....I am happy my brother Ashok was there for the Bhau Beej last night. As I touched his feet and sought his blessings, my mind went into instant replay as a thousand childhood memories came rushing back.
I missed my mother terribly. Happy Diwali, Aie. Wherever you are....
24 comments:
I completely agree..senseless idiots ruining the spirit of Diwali!!
It is for parents to convey effectively to their children that animals are also living beings and feel pain as much as humans do, when injured.
Very True..Use of crackers need to be totally "banned"..
It might be fund for some..but think about those old people and kids..who can barely manage a wink due to the noise and pollution..
Before requesting the Govt or anyone else to step its for us to pledge to stop using this "Menace"..
Here is hoping for better..cleaner..India..
Very heartening to note you observe rituals so well
fireworks are used worldwide on the occassion of celebrations. there is already moderation on crackers by law.only thing needed is to iplement the law.
we should consider the reduction of carbon-di-oxide emission as it is a serious concern for a sustainable future. when the maldives cabinet meeting is held underwater... this should have some positive effect on most of us.
I agree with your comments on fireworks. This year my Diwali was extra special because my aai-baba were with me and my partner in US. I can completely understand your emotions of missing aai on Diwali time. I still remember your 'Selective Memory' book in which you talked about aai-baba, Ashok and your sisters. These festivals are meant to bring all the family members together and they do bring back childhood days.
BTW, Shobhaa I performed my first 'padwa' ritual with my partner (owaLane etc.) the other night :) Aai-Baba were with us and were totally cool with it. :) Changing times, changing traditions....This Diwali has been very meaningful for me :)
Again, Happy Diwali. We love you and your blog. Keep it coming...
It's assumed that diwali brings prosperity to us Indians but the way we treat this festival is inappropriate!!...Spreading pollution is on priority. But there is a silver lining too....this year, as the reports suggest, has seen a decline in the pollution level on the day right after Diwali. That's quite an encouraging info as people are becoming aware of the aftermath of excessive pollution Diwali leaves behind. The story of Firemen succumbing to suffocation , in Thane ' is disheartening. And yes ...i completely agree with you that there are some brutes who pester innocent animals on this auspicious occassions and ,even worse, are sometimes encouraged by their parents!!....
Lastly I suppose you had two mothers....Your Aie and India!!India is still alive dear and is charging ahead with renewed vigour!!...lol and time to rejoice:-)
Well I think those brats need to be put in their place or something. I'm glad that you did have good time in the end though. I agree that Diwali is time for peace and love and esp quiet times little bit.
Of course it would be great if Diwali is celebrated without fire-crackers; however it may not be possible to impose a complete ban on them. I feel it would work out better if the noisier and more dangerous fireworks like the bombs and the rockets could be banned, while the more innocuous and enjoyable ones like the 'anars' and the 'phuljhadis' and the 'jamin-chakkars' could be allowed.
Just "cooked" and ate "Indian" food consisting of these items: a can of so-called Delhi Saag (produced by Jyoti Indian Cuisine of Pennsylvania) and one cup of California Brown Basmati (a produce of the Lundberg Family Farm)... I couldn't get purri though :-)
It's thus fitting to have as dessert this massala-spiced blog post...
As for firecrackers, the time has come and gone here, till next 4th of July--with its usual human tolls. This year, the tragedy happened in North Carolina where a barge-load of firecrackers for a show exploded, killing a half-dozen people. But no one would ever dare to suggest banning firecrackers on the 4th of July here... Human stupidity has no bounds.
Banning is not the solution. Rather some care and vigilance is needed. What about slaughterhouses where hundreds of animals are killed inhumanly to satify the hunger and tastes of people? Are they not as innocent as dogs? Why dogs only should get all the sympathy and consideration? What about other animals?
Fire itself, ammunition, petrol, the entire transport system, our lifestyles are all adding to the pollution and destruction of the planet earth along with firecrackers. Production of eco friendly firecrackers can be possible with minimum levels of sound and fury.
//kala said...
Banning is not the solution. Rather some care and vigilance is needed..//
Well said Kala!!
Shobhaa, I am really happy to read your concerns for animals and birds, being a animal lover I dont burn crackers! Hope more Indians come forward and care for animals.
There are many who celebrate the festival for what it is... A festival of light, rather than one of littering and polluting the air...
Chennai recorded 3 billion tonnes of extra garbage the day after Diwali... That's something we don't want to leave behind for our children.
On the other hand, I've seen many many homes reduce the amount of fire crackers and celebrate it by lighting diyas all around the house and sharing the festivities with unfortunate children in shelter homes... Hats off to them...
Peace!
http://soulsez.wordpress.com
Disagree, with a ban on crackers. It is fun. I can remember the fun I had with crackers as a child. But I also remember my father and the fathers of my friends standing a short distance away keeping an eye on us (not caring whether there was an interesting programme on TV!!). I also remember having my ear pulled (gently) when I exploded a cracker 2 meters from a parked car. The tradition continues with me watching over my child.
Vigilance & common sense from parents is the only thing that is required rather than bans & over-bearing rules.
Let the children & youngsters enjoy what we enjoyed when we were young.
I could feel that this year people busted less crackers. Very true kids hmm anyone should not hurt animals.
I too relived N number of memories when my brother came to my place for Bhai Dooj. Its truly a wonderful festival. Very quite and great chance to meet your maayekke walle ......hahaha
Regards
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I echo your words shobha!
Diwali is the occasion for celebrating and enjoying with our family members. Crackers are essential part of it. Hard crackers like bombs,hawaii should be avoided. People say so much against use of crackers. Ofcourse care should be taken in the interest of patients. Those who feel concerned about animal cruelty should ask themselves why they promote killing of animals by enjoying their flesh on dinner table. Is that not cruelty to them?
Firecrackers give employment to thousands of families. Where will they go to support their families if crackers are banned? We think only negative side and forget the positive.
g.b.pathak
I stayed ducked in my house, breathing heavy and hard... i almost exhausted my entire weeks supply of rotohalers to combat the incessant breathlessness.
I had lisa (my dog) for company, she and I stayed ducked in with all doors and windows closed.
On bhau-Bheej i had a terrible sinus attack... and could hardly lift my head.
Tuesday, when i moved down, i found a lot of stray dogs from other buildings, who were supposed to be territorial, and jaani dushmans of each other, cuddling up together in crises. we really have a lot to learn from animals, wish every human was endowed with the animal nature. They hurt and hunt not for greed, but only for need.
Birds running out helter shelter is no good sight to see. though still, id say, this year was much better than the previous years. Awareness, toh hai, but very little.
i wish i jalaoo a rassi bomb in the ears of our sacred mantris.. but i dont feel they would wake up from their kumbakaran type sleep of their conscience.
Anyways Mantrilog, they are deaf. And blind.
and they only unmute only when election ki GHANTI bajthi hai other times - GHANTA koi farq padtha hai un logon ko .
I have to tell you i love you so much more for this post of yours. you echo my views. Completely.
Hugs!
a solution could be a planned effort by ward committees to have communal and choreographed fireworks displays. A finite amount and a finite time frame. It works in so many places, why not mumbai? Corporate sponsorship will write off costs.
There is no point in banning the fireworks. The fun of Diwali will be gone and it will become colourless. Educate the people 365 days about good manners and respect others and treat everyone with respect. If these values are instilled then you don't need anything. As long as we have bastards in the print , electronic media and those suckers in the bollywood, Indians will behave like a saint at home and will behave worse than an animal when away from their home.
kudos Anil Kumar
i too accept the facts....
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