Festival of doubts for you too?

 

Festival of doubts for you too?

Are you ready for the festival of lamps, Deepawali (or simply Diwali), exactly a week from today?

For those who have forgotten the reasons behind celebrating the festival: Remember, two weeks ago we had celebrated Dussehra when Lord Rama is said to have defeated and killed demon king Ravana for kidnapping his wife Sita, keeping her as a hostage and pressurizing her to marry him. The Ramayana says on Diwali the Lord returned home to Ayodhya with Sita and younger brother Lakshmana after 14 years of exile in forest. Lord Ganesh (the remover of obstacles) and Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity and wealth) are also worshipped on Diwali. In old times, the traders and businessmen would start their financial year this day.

Roughly comparing, in importance, Diwali is to Hindus what Christmas is to Christians. Lights, merriment, great food, card parties, celebrations with family and friends, exchange of gifts and of course a little puja to please the gods, what could be more special about a day!

Some of you must already be losing your peace of mind in vigorously decluttering, cleaning, shining and polishing every shelf, piece of furniture and furnishing, floor, cupboard, ceiling fan, lamp of your house in the cleaning abhiyaan (campaign).You have used up bottles and packets of cleaners, worn off scrubbers and mops and a great deal of elbow grease lest Goddess Lakshmi should cast her vigilant eye on a dirty nook and leave the house.

I also look forward to Diwali. But my question is Diwali in what form and manner? No, I am not being a ‘Diwali scrooge’ but I do feel that we have deviated too much from what Diwali used to mean. Here is what I mean.

We have heard and read so much about air pollution reaching dangerous levels due to firecracker smoke during and after Diwali day, that it would be insulting your intelligence and sensitivity if I raise this issue again.  We are already using masks this year, yet if you are doubly cautious, keep your air purifiers too ready.

We have also worried about noise pollution and how dangerous it can be for infants, children, elderly, the sick and not to forget pets. Hey, let us be honest, haven’t even us adults uttered an expletive when suddenly the loud bang of a rocket or bomb has startled us? So naturally, I am not going to talk about that either. 

Poor Jasper cannot decide which place is safer to hide as crackers continue to burst outside, the loud noise scaring her off.      Photo: K S Asla

What catches my attention is the land pollution. Yes, we know that the dud/half-burnt/forgotten or burnt firecrackers land up in garbage dumps where stray animals snoop around for food. These firecrackers and their residue also injure handlers transporting the garbage to landfills where they keep releasing toxic gases into the air or liquids when they get wet.

My concern is the garbage generated during the festival. The mounds of gaily printed paper, carry bags, sweets and dry fruit boxes, kilometers of twine and threads, the several thousands metres of plastic –covering electric wire for lighting, several tones of plastic used for packaging and decorations, in addition to the stuff that was discarded while cleaning the house, heap on to the already growing piles of garbage dumped on street corners and roadsides. Not to mention the debris after construction and renovation because most people consider completing construction or renovation of their houses before Diwali auspicious. When we aim for beauty, order and cleanliness inside the house, we forget the garbage we are adding to the streets outside. 

Sadly, the idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh which were worshipped and revered as real gods the previous year, also land in dump. If I were a goddess, I’d be offended by that. If convention demands that new idols are to be bought, and the old ones discarded, why can’t we have idols of biodegradable material like paper or clay and without harmful paints? Isn’t getting rid of them by putting under a tree and exposing them to climate and the noses of curious stray animals disrespectful?

                              Homeless gods!

We cast an indifferent look at the Diwali aftermath and shrug our shoulders as if it is not our concern. For a clear conscience we give some money or gift to the cleaning persons who merely shift the garbage so generated from one venue to another but what then?

Our aim to spread some light, happiness and cheer means the garbage sits there for several months and years disintegrating, degenerating and spreading what not into the land, water and air.

As I become older and more informed, the festival of happiness and prosperity brings a growing cloud of gloom for me. I am no social activist, so where do I start? My solution: convey my concern to those reading this blog. Who knows some of you might see logic in what I say and together we might find some solution to this recurrent problem!

My suggestions are not exactly original. They are a tiny collection of suggestions and remedies sourced from friends and acquaintances who share my thoughts on one or more of the topics.

Firecrackers: If you cannot refuse, you may reduce or move to less noisy items. I am not ashamed to admit that lighting of fireworks of any kind does not count as fun for me. Fortunately, a clear ‘no’ to firecrackers is one of the rare issues we all agree upon in the family. So when you too go to buy them, look for CSIR-approved green crackers. No, fighting with your spouse or shouting at children and staff will count as noise pollution.

Gifts: Chocolates, mithai (Indian sweets), nuts and dry fruits or homemade goodies, everything is welcome on this day so why do those shiny, over-embellished baskets and boxes (which make up a percentage of the price of sweets box too), matter? Do they serve any purpose when they are empty?

People tell me it is more environment-friendly to gift plants. Indoor plants are low-maintenance too. A friend suggests giving perishable or consumable items. I can add useful things too- for the kitchen, study, house, personal use. If it doesn’t feel cheap to you, pick up the ‘one plus one’ deals and split with a friend or neighbor. Besides, tell me who doesn’t love cash or gift vouchers? I could write a long list but that could be a topic for future.

Decor: What is wrong with using last year’s lights? I still have to check with some expert as to what is more environment-friendly- electric lights which consume power or diyas (baked earthen lamps) which burn foodgrade oil, or candles made of paraffin.

Flowers, rice, pulses or their powders work very well for rangoli; at least they are bio-degradable. Do you want to try out pebbles, stones and marbles too? Or the easy way out- use reusable stickers.

And why add wood, plastic, metal, fabric decorations to your walls, tables, furniture, kitchen shelves or wardrobe just because kuchh to naya khareedna chahiye na? (Have to buy something new). The creative ones among us manage to turn everyday items into chic pieces with a touch of taste or glitzy décor with a touch of sparkle. Time to seek out someone who can do that.

Refuse: That is the easiest way out, I assure you from personal experience. If something gets too much trouble for body or conscience, nodding your head from left to right or in the reverse direction, is an excellent exercise and solution to avoid -  decorations, gifts, meeting people, expense involved or even food. Take out the new sari that has been lying buried in the box unworn or give the tailor his day’s bread and get it made into something fresh.

Share: Whether you want to meet family, friends, neighbours, people who work for you, or visit an old age or children’s home is your choice. The season is for greeting and sharing. When will you put to practice all that cooking-shooking you learnt during the lockdown? Want to prepare a couple of things and have a pooled lunch/dinner?

Re-energise: Diwali is the time for indulgence. Keep the TV remote aside and switch off the computer (Haven’t you had enough of that during the lockdown?) Dress or doll up, wear your masks, pick up the bottles of sanitisers, talk to, or if safe go out, meet and eat with family and friends.

Keep safe from fire and smoke and do not forget to take your prescription medicines.

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