Kolkata 22nd Oct, 2022 : Continuing with the call from last year’s Diwali, SwitchON Foundation had yet again held a city wide public awareness campaign titled ‘Smoke Free Diwali’ urging and appealing citizens to say no to firecrackers this year. This was organized under the aegis of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board. The initiative aims at raising public sensitivity towards the pollution caused by bursting crackers and illustrates how the effect is not just immediate, but long term.
As part of the initiative, several schools, colleges, housing associations and organizations took part in it with various activities being organized; like sit and draw competition among school students based on the theme of ‘Smoke Free Diwali.’ They also took part in making rangoli, posters making competitions based on the theme and were awarded prizes for the various innovation demonstrations.
Cycle groups took to the streets with their lighted cycle under a theme ‘Cycle with Lights’ in order to draw attention to the threat of air pollution while encouraging citizens to celebrate a pollution-free & safe festive season. While Toto mikeing was used to spread awareness in parts of Bidhannagar, Lake town footbridge, CK market, Baisakhi Market, FB Market , Kolkata – Exide , Gariahat, Sealdah station , Central Avenue, Malandighi Nabarun Club – Hattala Durgapur, Barsul to Shaktigarh , Burdwan
A Cyclist who took part in the event said : “We don’t need fire crackers to have fun during Diwali, there are more sustainable ways of having fun. Festivals and spirituality should bring us closer to nature and not harm them”
A Resident who joined the campaign said: “In the light of Diwali, may our hearts be filled with good wishes for all. Let our society become aware of noise and air pollution”.
The pollution created by firecrackers gradually degrades the ambient air quality over time. Subsequently, every year right after Diwali the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels goes higher due to the increase in the pollutant level seen during Diwali. (Refer annex comparative annual AQI 2021 and 2022).
Doctors too have warned that the particulate matter and the toxic air released by firecrackers enters our lungs and bloodstream making it extremely dangerous.
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