I remember this vividly. I’d wait for my Dada to finish up at the clinic so we could go firecracker shopping.
There was a market right near his clinic that would set up a month before Diwali and he know all the suppliers.
Even though I had asthma, I still had to be a part of it. I still remember watching from the window, as someone else lit the crackers.
I was close enough to feel the thrill but safe from the smoke.
As time went on, schools started raising awareness about child labor and pollution.
In my childhood though this didn’t stop us. Now, firecrackers feel different.
So, to burst or not to burst. And, what is India doing?
In 2022, firecracker sales soared to a whopping ₹6,000 crore—surpassing the highest pre-COVID sales of ₹5,000 crore in 2019.
This year, Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, which produces over 90% of the country's firecrackers, is witnessing a 20-30% increase in demand from North India alone.
Yes, many states regulate or ban firecrackers to combat AQI drops, but it doesn’t stop people from buying.
In 2023, despite the ban in Delhi, 32% resident families celebrated by bursting crackers.
That's a third of the families breaking the law! I guess it’s not so actively enforced.
While it seems like the world around me is reducing, market data says otherwise.
Yet another example of how urban, elite India doesn’t represent the country’s consumption patterns!
Even though people are now educated on the ill effects, why people continue to burst crackers?
Is it a deep-rooted cultural attachment, or a rise in disposable incomes?
PS: For Aisha, we’ve decided - no crackers. Diwali for her means pooja, new clothes, and rangoli. And while I’m biased (asthma can do that!), I believe it’s the right decision.
india pollution diwali climatechange
This post was originally shared by Arjun Vaidya on Linkedin.