Its that time of the year again, when birds, whatever little left of them in cities just vanish from the skies...stray dogs go underground..cattles are taken to safe houses..and people soundproof their dwellings with whatever possible available stuff. Its almost like a war zone and at this rate, in few more years, people might build underground bunkers to stay during Diwali. Its fast becoming a festival which people dread instead of enjoying.
Diwali used to be the king of festivals, especially for kids. There used to be competitions between streets as to whose street is more dirtier. It used to be fun. Somewhere, over time, bursting cracker has lost its sheen. Is it because i have matured and is no longer interested in it or have i become cost conscious (considering the hundreds which has to be paid for a single packet of any bombs..atrocious!!) I dont think its latter because even if i get crackers for free, i somehow dont feel like bursting any at all. I goto the nearby orphanage and share the crackers with them. Naan vedicha satham matum vara vedila avanga vedikarachay santhoshamum varuthay..antha oru kaaranam poraatha :)
But how did something which i used to love so much lost its importance..without even me realising?
One thing for sure is the sound. My god..each year its increasing so much and god knows how they do it!! Soon Indian army might consider inducting bombs directly from Sivakasi!! These guys make it sound so authentic that half the time i pray its some kid bursting cracker than something more sinister. I don't think how much ever legal restrictions are applied this can ever be stopped. So people have taken steps to nip it in the bud. Schools have started preaching the wastage and harmful effects of bursting crackers and poor brainwashed kids even come out carrying slogans against the cracker manufacturers. Though the point gets conveyed, rather strongly, they unknowingly deprive the kids of the joy of bursting crackers. Yes. I still can't convince myself to totally put a blanket ban on bursting. I think anything done at a moderate level is enjoyable. May be we can selectively ban certain type of crackers like
Bombs!! Serious stuff. No second thoughts.
All "wallaas" be it 10,100 or 1000 and above. That nonstop noise drives me crazy.
Bijilis. The way kids light these up and threw it in air...these are the most dangerous. Some of them even find their way inside the living room!!!
And those which emnates smoke like "Saattais". I have a heart patient at home and i find it terrifying to watch them suffer from loss of breath.
Instead..the manufacturers can divert their creativity in making different kinds of flower pots. There used to be parachute..train and variety of crackers. Not sure if they are still there. They can invent more interesting crackers like this and also ensuring a control on smoke emitted from these. I would love to see more and more varieties of rockets and similar crackers. In short i would love diwali to be a night festival where people can watch all their patti mandrams and megahit superhit movies in peace, visit their relatives during the day and happily light up the night sky.
I want the best of both. I hate the noise and smoke..but still i wouldnt want kids to miss out on the joy part of it. The reasons i have highlighted here might all be selfish but i hope the point gets through :)
Happy diwali folks. May this diwali be such that, we can walk out on the streets, without fear of walking into a landmine or boobytrap and greet our friends and neighbours. Its after all the festival of joy :)
Diwali used to be the king of festivals, especially for kids. There used to be competitions between streets as to whose street is more dirtier. It used to be fun. Somewhere, over time, bursting cracker has lost its sheen. Is it because i have matured and is no longer interested in it or have i become cost conscious (considering the hundreds which has to be paid for a single packet of any bombs..atrocious!!) I dont think its latter because even if i get crackers for free, i somehow dont feel like bursting any at all. I goto the nearby orphanage and share the crackers with them. Naan vedicha satham matum vara vedila avanga vedikarachay santhoshamum varuthay..antha oru kaaranam poraatha :)
But how did something which i used to love so much lost its importance..without even me realising?
One thing for sure is the sound. My god..each year its increasing so much and god knows how they do it!! Soon Indian army might consider inducting bombs directly from Sivakasi!! These guys make it sound so authentic that half the time i pray its some kid bursting cracker than something more sinister. I don't think how much ever legal restrictions are applied this can ever be stopped. So people have taken steps to nip it in the bud. Schools have started preaching the wastage and harmful effects of bursting crackers and poor brainwashed kids even come out carrying slogans against the cracker manufacturers. Though the point gets conveyed, rather strongly, they unknowingly deprive the kids of the joy of bursting crackers. Yes. I still can't convince myself to totally put a blanket ban on bursting. I think anything done at a moderate level is enjoyable. May be we can selectively ban certain type of crackers like
Bombs!! Serious stuff. No second thoughts.
All "wallaas" be it 10,100 or 1000 and above. That nonstop noise drives me crazy.
Bijilis. The way kids light these up and threw it in air...these are the most dangerous. Some of them even find their way inside the living room!!!
And those which emnates smoke like "Saattais". I have a heart patient at home and i find it terrifying to watch them suffer from loss of breath.
Instead..the manufacturers can divert their creativity in making different kinds of flower pots. There used to be parachute..train and variety of crackers. Not sure if they are still there. They can invent more interesting crackers like this and also ensuring a control on smoke emitted from these. I would love to see more and more varieties of rockets and similar crackers. In short i would love diwali to be a night festival where people can watch all their patti mandrams and megahit superhit movies in peace, visit their relatives during the day and happily light up the night sky.
I want the best of both. I hate the noise and smoke..but still i wouldnt want kids to miss out on the joy part of it. The reasons i have highlighted here might all be selfish but i hope the point gets through :)
Happy diwali folks. May this diwali be such that, we can walk out on the streets, without fear of walking into a landmine or boobytrap and greet our friends and neighbours. Its after all the festival of joy :)
Comments
First,Nice post, written in a v unusual Gils's style.
I agree your point of view. On the one hand, it has to be safe and peaceful. On the other hand, kids must enjoy. However harmful be it, you say a kid not to do smthing,they do it, as long as it is fun/pleasure!
We need to nail the root,Gils! there are a lot of small scale industries depending only on this festive season. The bijlis and the 1000 walla,10000 walla are not new, they have been making it for decades now. Considering the production cost, time and their profit, they settle down with this. What can be done is: production of these can be taxed heavily, and the cost of lighting flower pots/rockets can be reduced. The govt, instead of saying, don't use, can switch to this mode.(A classic example is the naming of tamil movies, what a lesson learnt from it!). Let's see how things are handled!!
i m also seeking ans for the same question :) how n when did all the exitement of diwali wear off?
nice post thou'...quite nostalgic, but i'll have to say. forget all the noise n fear. we had fun, let kids of this generation have fun too :))
happy n SAFE diwali to u n ur family...
Deepavali habbada hardila shubhashayagalu nimage :P
Me wil b bk to read the post ;) If I continue blogging for some more time nw, my guests hv to starve and cook for themselves 2mrw he he :D
Have a gr8 day and a wonderful festival :)
me too loved all those crackers.. but lost interest now... I don't whether it is due to TV.. now I don't liek bursting crackers and also watching TV :(
anyways have a great time na.. :)
enjoy and have fun :)
I too had a normal diwali da , I liked ur style here, its better you write english posts from time to time :)
A very thoughtful post there :)
Deepavali is turning into Shabdavali and it sure hurts! Infants, patients all suffer a lot and it pains to think how ppl dont realize that! As u say, the can instead be innovative and make diff flower pots, sparklers etc.. and also try to use materials which may not cause as much pollution!
Its been yrs since we have bought crackers @ home now, but as u say, we many not be the same when we have kids! We may want them to enjoy the light show and may be the Mother in me will overrule the citizen in me! But still, sounds is a strict No-no for me! Wonder who cn be happy with those dab-dab-dab-dab things! Ppl only want to show how brave they are I feel :P N they think, the can demonstrate it best here even if they fail to do the same where its actually required!
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yenna ungalukku vayasayidichu Giller dats why:) interest has gone
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neenga sonna sariya thaan irukkum boss:)
Kids (esp. boys) seem to love noise, but they are very rational when talked to. சொல்லற விதத்தில சொன்னா கேப்பாà®™்க. But that reminds me of a Tom and Jerry episode on crackers. :)
A little of everything is good as long as it is not overdone. There is no easy answer to your query, but maybe something acceptable can come up after some thinking.
unusuala?? apdi onum terilaye..
//production of these can be taxed heavily, and the cost of lighting flower pots/rockets can be reduced.//
sooper..i used to think the same for cigrattes and drinks..
thenkuzhal..ribbon..ravaladu..mixture..on the way :)
//ask my brother to get crackers and save it for christmas and i had blast on christmas night :D//
kalakarel carpe :) seekram indiavanga..unga returna celebrate panna airportlenthu veeduvaraikum tappasu vedikalam..mute panni
hmmm..as someone has commented..vayasadichi nenakren :) hope u had a great diwali there in ulavar santhai :)
hehehee...mungaru male..aapta mitra..rama shaama baama to u 2..
//If I continue blogging for some more time nw, my guests hv to starve and cook for themselves 2mrw //
oh..tht way they can save their life? hehehe
//
same blud thambbbrriii
hope u had a great time :)
// swaram also says happy diwali in Kannada (im sure u guessed it)//
blogulaga translator endru indru muthal thangaluku pattamalika padugirathu :)
//
athivasi..u the kannada talk?
//sari unakkaga next dhabalerndhu atom bomb vedikaradha neruthikaren
//
nanri
//I liked ur style here, its better you write english posts from time to time :)
//
adapaavi..naan ezhuthara 99% post english thaanada :D
Rayaru bandaru mavana manege Hannele chiguridaga thanks :D
shabdavali :) shabdam nala vali...soooperunga..semma name
// may be the Mother in me will overrule the citizen in me//
then u be mother india :D tht way u can best of both :D
maybe :) pikaaali...deewali epdi poachu...
//eppo orunthu ivlo nallavana maarina gilsu:)//
romba naalavay.. :))
avvvvvvvvv...bad words?
//yenna ungalukku vayasayidichu Giller dats why:) interest has gone//
maybe :) pikaaali...deewali epdi poachu...
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antha pera marakamaatiyala...:-)
jeem boomba...gilsu mandaiya vittu antha peru maranju poka:))))))
diwali Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....:)))))
hmmm..as someone has commented..vayasadichi nenakren :) hope u had a great diwali there in ulavar santhai :)
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ippo othukuren Giller neenga konja naalavey Nallavana maaritenganu:)))
?? y pikaali y??? diwali epdipoachu?
athu epolentho pikaali :D
அதனால கில்ஸ்க்கு 7 நாளுà®®் வேலை இருக்கனுà®®்னு ஆசிà®°்வாதிக்கிà®±ேன்:)))))))
P.S.
me dootuduu vid the Giller:)))))))))))))
Nopey. Used to have a monologue 'Mmm' for any questions posed to me. Thought I'll use the same. See the way I have mixed the words. My profile photo contains my full name with initials. :)
moonu M ku pinala ivlo peria kathai iruka!!!aavvvvvvvvvvv