GUWAHATI: Keeping the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, people in Assam are this year getting ready to celebrate a green Diwali across the state. Though there have been a lot of debates on whether to burst firecrackers or not, the PCBA of the government has issued a notification wherein it directs the people of Assam to celebrate a green Diwali by lighting earthen lamps and candles and use green crackers.
Diwali is widely celebrated across India with people across the country decorating their homes with colorful diyas, candles and lamps and bursting of firecrackers. There has been a call to celebrate a noiseless Diwali and it has seen positive response from the people. This time, people in Assam are also buying more earthen lamps instead of firecrackers to celebrate a soundless and green Diwali. Varieties of decorative earthen lamps are available in the market for buyers.
“There are different varieties of earthen lamps available. Some are locally made, some are Kolkata made. I am selling a dozen in 10 rupees,” said a woman seller in Guwahati.
“We will celebrate Diwali only with earthen lamps and local products. For the past 3 years, I have not been buying Chinese products and I don’t like bursting firecrackers,” said a buyer from Guwahati.
“We are still fighting with COVID-19 and moreover during this season the air gets polluted. It would be a good step if we try not to pollute the environment further by bursting noisy firecrackers and other such fireworks that release a lot of toxic materials in the air. The noise from this lighting of bursting firecrackers scares birds and other wild animals as well,” said a concerned citizen.
The notification of Pollution Control Board Assam (PCBA) states, “1. There will be a total ban against sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the Guwahati city from midnight of November, 9-10,2020 to the midnight of November 30- December 1, 2020, to be reviewed thereafter.
2. Except Guwahati in other areas only green crackers can be sold and bursting is allowed only for two hours during Deepawali festivals from 8 pm to 10 pm; during Chatt Puja from 6 am to 8 am and during Christmas & New year Eve from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am.”
It is to be mentioned that Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and some other states have allowed the bursting of green crackers this Diwali.
