Cracker sale down as city gears for a green Diwali

MYSURU: The Supreme Court has allowed the sale of crackers this year, but the temporary stalls set up in the city are still waiting for customers.
Due to the growing awareness about the ill-effects of bursting crackers over the years, the enthusiasm among citizens has come down leading to a decline in the sale of crackers this season.

Cracker stalls have been set up at JK Grounds, Kuvempu Nagar, Hebbal, Nanjumalige and the sale of crackers kicked off on Sunday, but shopkeepers were disappointed over the sale as many stalls were empty even during the weekend.

Given that the Supreme Court has permitted for the celebrations this year, it seems as though people have opted to celebrate a Green Diwali, said a shopkeeper.

Speaking to TOI, Ramesh, a resident of KG Koppal, who set up a crackers' stall in Kuvempu Nagar, lamented on the low sale of crackers. "On Sunday, when the sale commenced, we expected sale of at least 50 fire guns. But we were disappointed. A day to the festival and the sale did not take off, we are afraid we shall incur losses. However, there are people coming and asking for soundless crackers and the ones which emit less smoke. Crackers mainly attract children, and if they do not opt to burst them, our sale will automatically come down," he added.

Likewise, M S Hemanth Kumar, a resident of Ramakrishna Nagar has set up at stall at JK Grounds. Hemanth told TOI that in the wake of awareness about environment and pollution, cracker sale has come down. "In 2017, we at least saw 60% sale, this Diwali, it is likely to go down by 10%. There are a few who prefer flower pots, sparkles and ground spinners (chakras). People hardly prefer high-decibel crackers," he added.

A senior official at the fire station told TOI that permit has been extended to Bannimantap and Saraswathipuram as well. When compared to previous year, cracker stalls have come down in Mysuru. Evidently there 15% dip, the officer added.

Meanwhile, Udaygiri resident Raghu was seen purchasing crackers for the upcoming festival. "Diwali is a special festival. It comes once a year and we love celebrating it with crackers. We are a family of 12 and our children love to burst crackers. I have bought packs of different crackers worth Rs 2,400. There are talks about environmental pollution, but it cannot be curbed by just not bursting crackers," he said.

When compared to previous years, the number of shops, too, have come down. While there were at least 30 stalls at JK Grounds last year, this year it has come down to 17.

Studets take oath against bursting crackers

In order to create awareness about environmental pollution, city-based schools have taken initiatives to curb crackers. On Monday, children at the Shanthala Vidya Peetha took oath not to burst crackers. Speaking to TOI, administrator of the school Santhosh Kumar said students took oath not to burst crackers and to protect the environment. This creates a sense of responsibility among children and they will be aware about the hazards that crackers bring along, he added.