When The Sound of Fireworks Drowns Out The Law, What’s Gen Z Up To?
Story Highlights
- On November 1, the morning after Diwali, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) reached 359, soaring to around 500 that night, according to real-time data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
- “Delhi’s air is thick with tradition… and a government’s lack of ambition.”
Another rant about post-Diwali pollution flooding the internet! I know we’re all tired of it—myself included.
On Thursday night, as I sat on my terrace watching the fireworks, I was struck by a haze of broken promises and burnt paper.
For many, Diwali represents light, family, and celebration. But for those of us struggling to breathe in this polluted city, it was a sleepless night.
My generation, often labeled ‘Gen-Z’, was raised with an eco-conscious mindset. Yet, we now watch as each festival seems to mark a countdown to climate catastrophe.
Data Speaks Louder (When You Listen)
Let’s talk numbers. On November 1, a day after Diwali, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) reached 359, soaring to around 500 that night, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). On Diwali 2023, the AQI hit 301, as reported by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
Noise of Ignorance
I grew up hearing that Diwali is a “festival of lights,” but in Delhi, it often feels like a “Festival of Frights.” Each year, my neighborhood erupts with firecrackers, turning homes into gas chambers.
Government That Bans for Headlines
On October 30, Arvind Kejriwal, chief of Delhi’s ruling party, stated that the ban on firecrackers was essential for reducing pollution, dismissing any communal angle. He encouraged lighting diyas instead of bursting crackers.
But after making headlines, did the ruling party ensure compliance? No. There were no checks, no patrols—only silence from those in power. It feels like the ban was more about optics than actual enforcement. A ban without enforcement is just noise.
Generation Z: Aware but Defeated?
My generation is well-informed about pollution statistics and “severe” AQIs, yet we feel powerless against a culture resistant to change and a government that won’t enforce its own rules. Why do we ignore the suffering of others for the sake of fun? Is it tradition or habit? When it comes to inhaling toxic air, it doesn’t matter.
Need for Real Change
It’s easy to blame tradition, but we claim to be the generation of change. If we don’t speak up, who will? I’m not suggesting we abandon Diwali traditions entirely. But what if we chose alternatives that don’t poison our lungs? The impact could be significant.
‘Green’ to Go?
Mohandas Pai, former CFO of Infosys, suggested green crackers as a solution. However, distinguishing them from regular crackers is nearly impossible, leaving consumers misled.
What Now?
How about celebrating Diwali without the explosions? Let’s return to the way it was first celebrated in Ayodhya. We need to raise our voices loud enough to be heard over the blasts of ignorance.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the writer do not reflect those of Innovativezone. InnovativeZone India Magazine does not endorse the opinions presented in this piece.
