Sound and fury, signifying nothing

Hindus all over the world are celebrating Deepawali – or Diwali – on Wednesday. This festival, known as the Festival of Lights, is one that marks the triumph of good over evil.

However, the advent of fireworks has turned this auspicious day into a triumph of evil over good.

The reason we light lamps on Diwali is because, according to the holy text, The Ramayana, it marks the return of Rama and Sita from defeating a demon in a forest and commemorates the villagers of Ayodhya lighting lamps to guide them on their way back to the village on the moonless night.

The word means ‘row of lights’.

It does not mean ‘row of casualties’.

Sure enough, fireworks are a symbol of celebration and are pretty and yakkity schmakkity.

They are also loud, obtrusive, polluting and dangerous.

Around this time every year we hear reports about fireworks harming or killing people and animals, yet Hindus who celebrate Diwali insist on continuing unsupervised and dangerous pyrotechnics, which is in fact not traditional.

When improperly used, rockets and flares are dangerous to those lighting them and those standing close to them. They may not light, blow up in a person’s face or hands, and land on an unsuspecting victim next door.

The loud bangs are not only detrimental to hearing, they are just pointless. They are lit, they detonate, go ‘bang’ and then what? Your grandmother is now a bit harder of hearing, and the possibility of your child’s fingers being severed is doubled.

Fireworks also affect your neighbours. I don’t want to hear loud bangs all night when I need to sleep. Neither do I want smoke smothering my house. It is inconsiderate of other people.

A study conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board showed that noise and air pollution levels were higher during Diwali in 2010 than the previous year despite campaigns against firecrackers.

Smog stays up in the air for hours and the stench lasts at least a day afterward.

They are also so bad for animals.

Not only is the sound of the loud bang amplified, it stresses animals out. The brightness, the sparks and the sounds aggravate pets and they get anxious and sometimes run away.

Some people think giving their dogs Panado is fine – but it could be harmful. Your dog can’t really tell you he’s allergic to paracetamol.

Vets and rescue organisations are overcrowded with injured or lost pets at this time of year, which can be avoided. Shelters like the SPCA have far more pressing things to worry about than some inconsiderate person who couldn’t be bothered about their dog being afraid of loud sounds.

Some people even chain their dogs to fences or their kennels. I have seen cases where said dogs get so afraid and stressed out; they try to jump over fences, hanging themselves to death in the process.

And of course, there is the issue of sadistic little children who are not taught by their parents about respecting other life who tie fireworks to their pets’ tails.

Tell me, is this Hindu?

Hinduism is about respect, humility and peace. There is nothing of this in the use of fireworks. In fact, fireworks go against and desecrate all that is Hindu.

If it means that much to you, take the initiative to organise a pyrotechnics show in a safe, designated area, manned by professional pyrotechnicians. Else, just drop it. It’s not a part of the festival and it never will be.

The spirit of Diwali is lost in marketing – much like Christmas – and this is a fact of capitalism and human nature, and buying fireworks has become an integral part of the commercialism.

We can bring Diwali back to its original meaning, and stop the inhumanity scarring this festival which is meant to be about humanity.

If not, we may as well not celebrate it at all.