This Delhi Society Is Replacing Crackers With Green Fest This Diwali

It is a noisy evening in Jamna Appartments, a residential society in the Rohini area of North Delhi. The society is reverberating with slogans like “Let us celebrate a green Diwali” and “Say No To Single-Use Plastic.” The atmosphere is charged with enthusiasm and energy. A dozen families can be seen marching, shouting slogans and encouraging fellow residents to celebrate a cracker-free Diwali. Children are the most enthusiastic participants in the campaign. With placards and posters in their hands, they are determined to celebrate a Green Diwali this year. Leading them is couple Gunjan and Sunil Mangla, residents of the same society, working hard to prep up children for short role-plays to spread awareness on the need to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali.

The residents tell us that it is not the first time when they have pledged not to burst crackers. The campaign started last year and the aim is to include more people this year.

Anti - cracker campaign

“We used to burst crackers at night, sleep and wake up the next day only to find the air polluted and the roads in a very bad condition. That's when we decided not to burst crackers and we could see the difference,” says Bharat Arora on how the residents came up with the idea.

The residents have planned a Green Diwali for fellow society members.  Different types of stalls will be put up by the children. This will be followed by games, Diwali party and dinner where they can enjoy with their friends and family.

Expressing her happiness at the launch of this campaign, another resident Pooja Chhabra said, “We organised this campaign last year also and we got a good response. This year, we want to make it bigger. It is good to see that the children and parents are cooperating with us to make the campaign a success. We are proud of them.”

Another resident Priya Bansal emphasised on how her son made it a point not to burst crackers this year. Pooja Gupta who shifted in the society a few months ago is thankful to the other residents for initiating the campaign. "I can now explain to my son that Diwali is a festival of happiness and prosperity and we can celebrate the festival without bursting crackers also.”

“It is good to see that the children and their parents are cooperating with and supporting us to make the campaign a success. We are proud of them” - Pooja Chhabra

Also: Here’s How Diwali Celebrations Have Changed With Time

How will the families then make the evenings memorable? Arun Chhabra informs us that the residents have planned a special treat for their fellow society members. Different types of stalls will be put up by children. This will be followed by games, Diwali party and dinner where they can enjoy with their friends and family.

This is one of the many inspiring initiatives being taken up by communities across the country to make their children realise the ill-effects of bursting crackers.

Also: Moms Real Heroes Of Diwali: Keeping Traditions Alive Single-Handed