Deepawali is usually celebrated early in the morning all over Tamil Nadu.
Getting up early in the morning, before sunrise having the traditional oil bath, wearing new clothes, lighting up lamps all over the house, bursting of crackers, and eating all the homemade / store bought sweets and savories, wishing all friends and relatives, and generally having a good time....
However, with time we have changed, and now it is mostly celebrated in a very simple way. In fact no bursting of crackers too, for more and more people are realising the harmful effects of bursting crackers.
But have people really changed for the better, no, not everyone, in fact, there are still many people who still buy the most dangerous, poison filled crackers, which after bursting leaves poisonous smoke which gives rise to allergies, asthma, and all kinds of breathing problem. Not only that, those who keep buying crackers don't realise the amount of stress and hardship it causes to elderly, sick people, the dogs and other animals.
They are also encouraging illegal child labour, for more and more children would be lured to work for some money and giving up their education and suffer, sitting in dark dingy rooms rolling out dangerous crackers, breathing poison every second they spend their time there. Many become victims of unexpected accidents, because of badly maintained/ managed conditions
Have we really become immune to such atrocities, why do we do such things?
Not only do people burst crackers during festivals , they also burst them if their favorite team wins some stupid match.
Deepawali is a festival of light, it is meant to enlighten people, not to bring darkness in this world. Can't we think of people who have lost their eyesight due to crackers, is this what Deepawali teaches us?
Why can't we just light some lamps and be done with it?
Why do we have to lean on rituals and traditions, which no longer make any sense to any body?
Why do we eat heavy sweets and fat filled savouries and allow ourselves to fall sick?
Do we have answers for these questions?
Can we resolve to do away with rituals which do not match with the times we are living in?
Let us follow the traditions that do not harm anybody.
Instead of bursting crackers, let us buy some useful things for the needy.
Let us not pollute the already polluted world.
Let there be real light in this world: Happy Deepawali !
