A few years ago, 23-year-old Jai Mishra, looking at his grandmother, worried by the constant noise of firecrackers, decided not to set them off.
His resolve continues to this day and every Diwali he not only buys crackers but also campaigns among his family and friends to either stop bursting or reduce crackers.
“I saw several harmful effects of firecrackers on human health, including the elderly and children. After reading some news, I also realized the negative impact of firecrackers on the environment, which made me give them up completely,” said Mishra.
It’s not just him, but several Gen Zers have started worrying about their surroundings and the people around them, which is why they stay away from bursting crackers.
Aanya Mishra, 15, said she studied climate change, global warming and pollution from time to time.
“If we, as ordinary people, do not stop ourselves from engaging in polluting activities, we degrade the quality of life. Also, bursting crackers is not related to history or culture, but is promoted as part of a marketing tactic. The supply of crackers depends only on the demand in the market. If we stop buying them completely, then we can maintain the air quality even after the festive season is over,” said Mishra.
Similarly, 23-year-old Nikita Pahwa said she stopped bursting firecrackers completely after she adopted stray dogs at the site.
“Every Diwali, I see my puppies scared and worried because of the noise and air pollution caused by firecrackers. I am sad that even birds and squirrels are hard to find for a few days after the festival. It is time to understand the importance of coexistence. It is equally their right to live as it is ours,” Pahwa said.
Ananya Sharma, 14, also stopped buying crackers after reading about climate change campaigns by Greta Thunberg and Sonam Wangchuk. “I believe that the idea of contributing to the preservation of the environment should be promoted among children from the beginning so that we can breathe clean air and have better living conditions around us,” said Sharma.