By our correspondent /NOIDA
A group of residents of a housing society in Noida Extension in the outskirts of national capital have started a unique campaign to say no to firecrackers this Diwali.
Small children, senior citizens along with young men and women in Nirala Estate society took out a march Sunday morning. Many morning walkers and joggers joined the rally urging residents not to burst crackers.
Mitali Bannerji, who started this campaign by inviting people on Whatsapp group, said, “We burst crackers because our parents and grand parents did not tell us about the ill effects of firecrackers. But we want to tell our kids how bad it is for the environment and our health. It mainly affects children and senior citizens.”
The Supreme Court has banned selling of firecrackers in Delhi and NCR region in an attempt to cut down pollution level causes by firecrackers. Delhi becomes one of the most polluted cities in the world during Diwali as large number of people burst crackers to celebrate the festival of light. The Central Pollution Control Board will study the affect of ban on sale of firecrackers this year and submit a report to the apex court.
Another resident, who participated in the march against crackers, said, “It is more dangerous for the high rise society as there is no escape route for the smoke and the society becomes like a gas chamber.”
However, not many seems to be convinced and believe crackers are intrinsic part of Diwali.
Mitali says, “It takes time to change mindset.”
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