India celebrated Deepavali, or Diwali, also called the festival of lights, on November 14.
Bangalore:
Every year in the days leading up to Deepavali, crowds of happy shoppers fill Bengaluru’s shops and, as the season’s greetings ring out, they hunt for festive bargains, last-minute gifts for friends and family, and for Of course, firecrackers.
However, 2020, with the impact of the coronavirus and growing concerns about pollution and air quality, has been a bit different and much of that usual buzz and revelry is missing.
“The business is very boring. There are hardly any customers here … because they are confused about what to do … what to buy, what not to buy. How to know if it is a” green “firecracker, Paranjyoti, said the president of the Association of Karnataka Fireworks Distributors, to NDTV.
“Compared to last year, sales are affected by as much as 80 percent,” Paranjyoti added.
The state government has issued a warning in this regard, asking people to look for the distinctive green logo that distinguishes the “green” firecrackers, products that have been promoted, both by the center and by the states, as an alternative to smoke. harmful habitual. -producers.
“We ask people to (firecrackers) be done in a totally non-polluting atmosphere. Only green firecrackers, using non-polluting chemicals. Second, we ask people to do this for a limited time only. “Basavaraj Bommai, the state interior minister, said.
However, too much faith is possibly being put in the “green” versions, and medical experts suggest that even these are probably unhealthy, particularly with an infectious virus attacking the respiratory system rampant across the country.
A study by the Awaaz Foundation in Mumbai found that “green” cookies contained chemicals such as barium nitrate, which was banned by the Supreme Court in 2018 for its poisonous nature.
The Karnataka government, which has urged the public to keep Deepavali celebrations low-key, initially announced a ban on all firecrackers. Later that day, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa allowed “green” cookies; his deputy, Dr. Ashwath Narayan, cited “cultural reasons” for the U-turn.
However, the Covid pandemic, which has infected nearly 8.6 lakh people in Karnataka (and 87.7 lakh in India), and the way the virus attacks the lungs, has made people more aware of air quality.
“From the health point of view of the country, it is better to wear face masks and practice social distancing. More than fireworks, it would be better to use lamps,” said Jaisimha, a resident of Bangalore.
Meanwhile, store owners eager to do business during the holiday season have been asking customers to observe Covid precautions. Sandeep, a nut store owner, told NDTV: “We are asking people to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.”
However, the reality on the ground is that social distancing and the use of face masks are definitely not being followed by everyone, and this could be bad news.
Karnataka’s Covid numbers have been dropping and the hope is that the festival season will not lead to an increase in cases, as seen in Delhi and Kerala prior to that.
.
