Dear Freinds
Adding to the above thread of discussion, please find some valuable info for a Greener Diwali
ECO-FRIENDLY DIWALI
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!
Earlier Diwali celebration meant house cleaning and decoration, performing traditional Lakshmi pooja, lightening of diyas in the evening and family get-together. But with the changing time the style of celebrating Diwali has also changed drastically. Now Diwali celebrations mean electric illumination and bursting noisy fire crackers. This change in the celebration style has imposed many negative effects on the environment; some of the effects are listed below:
Excessive air pollution
Excessive noise pollution
Soil pollution
Excessive power consumption
Consumerism (excess consumption means excess use of raw material)
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 colours (lentils, floral powders, Herbs etc.)
Use aroma candles, floral decorations, green plantations to enhance ambience
Do pujas, make sweets together at home, greet neighbours
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
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
Gift Simple, Gift Green & Gift Healthy
Gifting organic, eco-friendly and healthy will make the recipient happier and will also promote such businesses. Handmade candles, handicrafts, eco-bags, eco-bottles, bamboos or jute made products, herbal/Natural cosmetics or toiletries, books on sustainable activities
Use e-gifts
Principle of three Rs
Reduce air & noise pollution by reassign the importance of smoke free environment
Refuse to light crackers
Rethink before you go to the market to shop for toxic & expensive crackers
So spread the word and celebrate a cracker free, smoke free & illness free Diwali. GO Green this Diwali.