Sugarfree Sweets, Smokefree Diwali

We are nearing doom. The water levels have risen. The ice caps are melting. The storms and hurricanes are frequenting. Average temperature of our planet has gone up. These facts are not being stated here newly. We all have heard or read about these from various sources. While some people challenge the factual nature of these statements just to favor capitalists, the universal truth is that Global Warming is real and apocalypse is approaching us faster that we expect.

The news-feed on all of social media since this morning is full of articles, opinions, debates on the honorable Supreme Court of India banning the sale of crackers in Delhi and nearby regions. As if Delhi did not have its own social and political problems, it is on the verge of becoming un-livable owing to the environmental problems. And the SC has taken a call to cater to this. However, the picture being painted with strong political motive is of selective censorship of festivals. Comparisons to Jallikattu and Bakr Eid are being made. The typical "What about them/that?" rhetoric is being played. On the other hand, chain smokers are coming out in support of this move. Wise for them, they cannot afford to do any more damage than they are already doing to the ecosystem. People needing Air Conditioners and Refrigerators 24X7 are exposing their own hypocrisy by preaching righteousness to the world.

The State Government will claim Mr. Prime Minister is behind this move, like they say for every other issue with the laughable claim that the Center does not let them work. The ruling party will call this anti-national, anti-Hindutva and ask the "what about" questions. The opposition will call it religious appeasement by both State and Centre to gain votes, in spite of the fact that they already have got votes and you have got none. Although the thought process behind the decision has remotely nothing to do with religion, all these cartels will make it so to gain a political mileage. And that is how it has been. They have been hiding behind religion to satisfy all their greed. The hurtful part is that majority of us are not even aware of being used as pawns in their battles. The blind loyalty and affiliation that we have is once again leading us to fall from a cliff.

In my opinion, religions have done more bad than good to this world. And a part of the good that religions have done is the festivals which give people reasons to come together and celebrate. But like any other existing thing, a religion too has to evolve with time to exist. And although at a different pace than other, each religion has evolved with time. The fading away of regressive Sati practice, ouster of un-touchability in most parts if not all, education for girls, acceptance towards LGBT community (socially though not legally 'yet') and many other changes are examples of this evolution. Optimizing our festivals is another step towards this evolution, and it is necessary for us to survive now more than any time in history.

Banning of crackers will not drastically reduce pollution in Delhi. But at least it will not worsen what is already terrible there. And besides, is Diwali only about bursting crackers? Does a smoke-free Diwali dampen the warm feeling of people going back home to be with families? Does it reduce the sweetness of a Kaju Katli or a Bundi ka Laddoo? All it does is take care of the environment and our collective health. We prefer sugar-free sweets for our well-being and survival. By the same logic, smoke-free Diwali will multiply the well-being of our surroundings to many-fold.

Leo utilized most part of the 2 minutes of his first ever Oscar speech to give an important message on environment. To quote him - "Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take tonight for granted." We still cannot avoid the inevitable, we have come too far to go back and correct things for the plant to survive long now. But as Syrio Forel tells Arya Stark - "What do we say to the God of Death? Not today", we need to prolong the doom as much as possible. With that cliched reference from Game of Thrones (which is a must in my blogs just for the love of it), wishing you a safe, happy and smoke-free Diwali.