Intellectuals raise voice for pollution free Deepavali

Intellectuals raise voice for pollution free Deepavali
Deccan Herald

Form a group in each area and burst crackers together in open fields, instead of disturbing peace in residential areas.

Some prominent Kannada litterateurs of the State have joined hands with Bangalore City police in creating public awareness regarding the hazards of crackers which are usually burst during the Deepavali celebrations.

“Let Deepavali be the festival of lights and not fire that harms life and disturbs peace”, was the appeal made by writers Dr Sumatindra Nadig, Dr Siddalingaiah, Dr Krishnamurthy and Dr Marulasiddappa, at a media briefing convened by City Police commissioner Ajai Kumar Singh on Monday.

Each Deepavali has been a nuisance for the public, particularly the children and the ailing, due to unsafe methods of bursting crackers. Last year alone, 48 cases of eye injuries due to crackers bursting were reported in the City, Dr Nadig said. He called upon the people to make it a practice to form a group in each area and go to the nearest open ground to burst crackers and refrain from doing it on the roadside and in residential areas. The noise and air pollution caused by crackers can be detrimental to people whose health is sensitive, Mr Nadig warned. Further, the streets strewn with remains of the burnt crackers is not a pleasant sight, he opined.

A propaganda regarding safe and peaceful celebration of Deepavali, will be carried out on police vehicles in every nook and corner of the City, the Commissioner said. The director of public instructions will be asked to complement the efforts of police by holding awareness campaigns in schools and colleges, he added.

Strict action would be taken against persons who caused damage to life or property by bursting crackers, Mr Singh warned. There is a Supreme Court guideline restraining public from bursting crackers from 10 pm to 6 am and all must adhere to this, he informed. The use of crackers that cause considerably heavy explosion has been banned, he added.