Make your Diwali celebration the way it originally is- Eco-friendly

Diwali, the “Festival of Lights” is the biggest festival celebrated all over India. On the dark night of Amavasya (No Moon day), people celebrate it by lighting rows of deep (oil lamps made of clay) in their houses and streets; thus the name Deepawali (later caught on as Diwali). It creates a beautiful and incredible mystique, as if the small twinkling starlets have come down to earth to conquer darkness!

The festival of Deepawali is as old as Hinduism or Indian history. There are several mythological legends associated, out of which the most popular one is that Lord Ram returned to his Kingdom after fourteen years of exile. Diwali is celebrated for five days and on the main day; Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity and happiness. It is quite an eco-friendly festival, if celebrated the way it used to be.

 Over the years, a lot more has started being associated with the festivals, a lot of which is not the tradition, and not even welcomed by the environment:

 Air pollution and ecological imbalance-

• Around the festivals now, smog and dust are high in the air due to heavy traffic congestion. Increasing population, purchasing powers and lucrative schemes by automobile companies have created more bottlenecks than smooth drives. Around festivals, each year there is more number of vehicles.
• The biggest of all is the air pollution caused by firecrackers. These crackers contain harmful chemicals such as copper, cadmium, Lead, Magnesium, Sodium, Zinc, Nitrate and Nitrite etc. These are quite harmful for us, other animals and our climate. These toxins have long term effects impacting our respiratory, circulatory, nervous systems and even skin conditions.
• The residues get dissolved in the soil which again disturbs ecology and indirectly impacts our health Generators used to support illuminations and extended business hours add to air pollution

Noise pollution-

• High decibel crackers cause acute noise pollution. These could cause temporary to permanent hearing loss. Infants, elderly or patients get disturbed or frightened with these noises. It may impact people with anxiety and heart related problems.
• Besides, there is increase in honking horns, due to increased traffic and people lighting crackers on the streets

Unsafety-

• Firecrackers may always be unsafe for the one lighting, the one observing and the one that is ignorant.

Electromagnetic radiation-

• There is jam of messaging and phoning around this time through mobile telephony. The long term impact of these are harmful for health

Elevated Consumerism, Consumption of resources, filth & landfills-

• Commercials on Print, TV& Radio lure people into attractive schemes. Shopping increases like crazy, from wardrobes to gadgets, from household to automobiles there is a maddening commotion.
• High power illumination and long hours of electric illumination consumes great amount of power
• To increase sales and business activities there is a sort of competition to get noticed and win customer loyalty.
• With increased outdoor activities, there is an increase in eating out and impulse purchase. There is overuse of plastics, paper and packaging which

What can we do to maximize celebrations while minimize carbon footprints. We can re-look and re-orient ourselves for a healthier and safer festival and environment with some of the following:

Stick to the age old symbol and signification of Diwali

• Light oil lamps in earthenware or clay lamps; make rangolis with eco-friendly colors ((lentils, floral powders, Herbs etc.)
• Use aroma candles, floral decorations, green plantations to enhance ambience
• Do pujas, make sweets together at home, greet neighbors

Use Energy efficient lights

• If lighting is really important for you then go for energy efficient lighting which will also make your bills leaner

Avoid fire crackers-

• To keep atmosphere clean, green and healthy say “NO” to firecrackers
• This will also stop help child abuse that are employed for production of these crackers and are exposed to harmful chemicals constantly
• Use eco-friendly crackers that too in a safe allocated community center. This will increase festivity and bonding at the same time. Eco-friendly crackers are made of recycled paper, emit colored lights and are of very low decibel sounds. There are colored paper confetti, magic pops, sparklers etc. which are also much lesser in price compared to regular crackers, are safer and do not emit fire and smoke

Use E greetings

• With e greeting you can reach all your friends and family members at one click. No wastage of paper and no jamming of the phones
• Share greetings or articles by informative websites that promote eco-friendliness such as kandmool.com

Help ease traffic on roads

• Use Public Transport, Car pool, Walk
• Avoid shopping on the peak festival days
• Use e-shopping

Donate, do not hoard

• Do you really need all that you are shopping!! Limit your needs by reviewing your list
• Your wardrobes, storage might be bursting with new additions. Donate the old to the needy through proper channels. Do charity, fund NGOs, help needy, poor, old and challenged

Refuse- Reuse-Recycle

• Use product which can be recycled. Refuse that is not eco-friendly. Think of re-use.

Gift Simple, Gift Green & Gift Healthy

• Gifting organic, eco-friendly and healthy will make the recipient happier and will also promote such businesses. Hand made candles, handicrafts, eco-bags, eco-bottles, bamboos or jute made products, herbal/Natural cosmetics or toiletries, books on sustainable activities
• Use e-gifts

Safety first

• It is extremely important to take care of safety of selves, others and surrounding

Let’s celebrate Diwali in a traditional way. Happy Diwali!