It is Diwali time in India! This is similar to the Guy Fawkes day in the U.K. Guy Fawkes Day is also called Bonfire Night and celebrated on November 5, commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.  New Zealand, Canada and parts of Newfoundland also celebrate for the British settlers that settled there during the reign of Elizabeth I.

India has festivals throughout the year. People look forward to these festivals because they get together, eat and make merry. Diwali time is looked forward to by kids because of the attraction of fireworks.

This time, however, things are different, thanks to our friend and foe Covid19. Friend, because we know him for almost a year and foe because he has wreaked havoc in our lives.

The Government has come up with restrictions with regard to celebrating festivals. In Diwali, everyone from adults to small kids have a great time with the fire crackers. This time around, there are specific timings for lighting the fireworks and then there are only ‘green’ crackers to be fired.

What are these green crackers?

The green crackers developed by the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) include flower pots, pencils, sparkles, and chakras.  Green crackers are environment-friendly and are developed to reduce air pollution that causes health hazards. 

Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems confronting our civilisation today.  It is mainly caused by activities like mining, construction, transportation, industry, etc.  Also, some natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions, wildfires, etc. are also responsible. 

Firecrackers on Diwali are also responsible for air pollution. To minimise air pollution, green crackers have been developed.

People have become more environment conscious. In Covid times, it is important, particularly for young kids and senior citizens not to be exposed to smoke and other particulate emissions. Hence the green crackers.

We at Haat ensure, at all times, right round the year, that our incinerators produce only smokeless emissions, not polluting gases. Thanks to the ingenious design of some of our models and effective air pollution control equipment and measures, one does not really see visible smoke and emissions.

We are trying our best to save the environment for the benefit of the present and future generations.