This year, several schools across the city have pledged to not burn firecrackers during Diwali. Ruby Karna, headmistress, St Mira’s Primary School, says, “We have been always emphasising a noise-free and cracker-free Diwali. Every year, we urge students not to buy crackers and explain to them why it is dangerous on individual and societal levels. This year, we made them take an oath during assembly. They have pledged to try and avoid buying of crackers and to ensure a safe Diwali.”
The students of St Mira’s also took up an interesting initiative as they sculpted their own mud diyas for the festival. The idea is to light diyas at a friend’s place instead of burning crackers. Karna adds, “The girls made and painted their own diyas and will be celebrating at friends’ places by lighting them. We aim at promoting the message of ‘spread light, not noise’.
Disha Deshmukh, a class 9 student will be using her fire cracker budget to buy books and clothes for the needy. “Burning firecrackers gives you a thrill and happiness for a few hours. However, if I use the same money to buy books for a needy student, I will be making them happy forever.”
Sulabha Deshpande, prinicpal, Ahilyadevi High School, will be distributing certificates to students who pledge to not use fire crackers this year. “We made the students pledge to avoid fire crackers or anything that will pollute the environment this festive season. And, to honour and encourage them further, we will be giving them certificates for the same. ”
{{/usCountry}}Sulabha Deshpande, prinicpal, Ahilyadevi High School, will be distributing certificates to students who pledge to not use fire crackers this year. “We made the students pledge to avoid fire crackers or anything that will pollute the environment this festive season. And, to honour and encourage them further, we will be giving them certificates for the same. ”
{{/usCountry}}Similarly, Indus International School has been focussing on protecting the environment and reaching out to students to pledge the same. Students of Vidya Valley School have been busy making placards with slogans, raising awareness about a clean and noise-free Diwali.
Apart from schools, individuals are also trying their best to promote a noise- and pollution- free Diwali. Satish Pant, assistant professor, National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, started an online page as a preventive step towards protection of the environment.
“It is my personal area of interest. Children, today, are also quite sensitive towards , due to several other initiatives taken by schools and NGOs. We need to ensure they are shown the right path with the right examples.”