Eco-friendly festivities

The festive season is upon us but while the spirit is willing, the pocket is weak. Consumers and traders alike are ruing economic slowdown. The festive spark, lights, and laughter seem staid this year. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) opines that retail sales have witnessed a slump of 40 per cent while footfalls have plunged by a staggering 60 per cent. While Dhanteras was predicted to bring some cheer to jewellers, the national traders' body claimed that gold and silver sales 35-40 per cent on the day. Last year on Dhanteras, 17000 kg of gold worth Rs 5,500 crores were sold as compared to just 6000 kg this year amounting to Rs 2,500 crores.

While the traders' body squarely lay the blame on e-commerce, the lacklustre sale on Dhanteras is yet another unmissable pointer to the state of the Indian economy. The consumers are miserable too; the depressed demand during peak festive season showcasing the dismal condition of consumers. For the majority of the population, there is indeed little to rejoice this year in terms of financial prosperity. Perhaps more the reason for us to make a case for sensible celebrations and look towards issues bigger than ourselves and our immediate lives.

Sounds philosophical, isn't it? But think about it. Isn't it best to look for meaningfulness at a time of loss? The economy is down, many businesses are struggling, hundreds have lost jobs this year; and with respite, at least two quarters away, let us think of the less fortunate, let us think of the deprived, let us think of the environment. I believe that instead of half-hearted celebrations and sighs of this Diwali not measuring up to the last ones, we should consciously make this year's festival of lights stand apart from previous years. So, how do we do that?

If you can't do without firecrackers, choose 'green' crackers that reduce emissions by 30 per cent. Sure, there aren't as many variants to illuminate the night sky but at similar or cheaper prices, these crackers are an environment-friendly option. Developed by an association of eight laboratories under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) led by Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), these crackers that debuted this year could literally breathe a lease of life into the environment. The best outcome, of course, would be to help firecracker manufacturers adopt practices to produce green crackers under their own brands so that by next year, there would be better supply and variants flooding the market.

But supplies are caused by demand. As long as you and I keep demanding noisy and heavy smoke-emitting firecrackers, the manufacturers will keep making them. But if our demands change, then in the process it could also save the loss-hit firecrackers' industry too. While many firecracker manufacturers are being nudged to make 'green' crackers, more demand for eco-friendly ones will help persuade the Rs 1,800-crore industry further. That brings me to my second point — educate and create awareness. While we may be aware of the concept of 'green' crackers (and how potassium nitrate and zeolite are used instead of the more harmful lithium, lead, arsenic, barium nitrate), our domestic staff, colony guards, cleaners etc., may not. Let's pledge to not just educate a few about the benefits of using 'green' crackers and how the raw materials used in 'green' crackers lower emissions by releasing water vapour that suppresses dust. And if they are available in your city, why not distribute some 'green' crackers to your staff as well? The Delhi government's initiative to organise four days of laser shows in this context is commendable.

Diwali shouldn't be the time to listen to nagging voices reminding us of how intolerant towards the environment we are. After all, a couple of days of merriment can't cause the year-long pollution crisis in some Indian cities. Many Indians consider Diwali to be beginning of the new year; so, it sure is an auspicious time to turn a new leaf and imbibe sustainable living. Let this coming year bring abundance for all. Happy Diwali!

(Shutapa Paul is an author and media entrepreneur. Views expressed are strictly personal)