Celebs, common people hail government ban on bursting crackers across Odisha

The state government’s ban on the use and sale of firecrackers this Diwali has been hailed by one and all. Celebrities as well as common people have welcomed the step and urged people to celebrate the Festival of Lights in a safe and peaceful way. The government ban is effective from Tuesday to November 30 - a period that includes Diwali and Kartik Purnima. Both festivals are celebrated with the bursting of firecrackers.

Praising the ban, actor Akash Dasnayak said, “We must celebrate Diwali with lights and have fun. We have seen in previous years how the air gets heavily polluted during Diwali. This year, it could have created a bigger problem for patients with respiratory issues, like critical COVID-positive people,” he said.
Actress Anu Choudhury, while wishing Diwali would help people forget the pain and suffering of the last nine months, said, “We are already in the middle of a pandemic and that too of a virus that attacks our respiratory system. If the air gets more polluted, it could lead to more complications for Covid-positive patients as well as others.”
The government order also mentions that crackers produce smoke and cause air pollution, which adversely affects the health of vulnerable sections of society. A technical expert team constituted by the government also recommended banning firecrackers because of this.

Actor Sabyasachi Mishra also urged people to celebrate a crackers-free Diwali. “We must ensure that there’s no decline in our spirit in celebrating this beautiful festival, but at the same time, we must ensure that no one bursts firecrackers and no more pollution is caused,” he said.
Normally, cracker shops come up in different dedicated zones a few days prior to Diwali. The sellers apply for licenses from the local police. This time, however, the ban was declared before the vendors could start the application process. “I used to set up my stall during this period. Even this time, I had talked to a wholesaler about procuring crackers. But the state government banned sale. We have to obey it,” said Ashok Sahu, a vendor.
Even common people hailed the move and promised to have a crackers-free Diwali. “The air quality all across had changed for good due to the nationwide lockdown. But after the lockdown, things started going from bad to worse. So this time, I am not bursting crackers and also telling others not to,” said Rakesh Padhan, a banker.

Ban helps decorative lights and diya sellers
While people can’t buy crackers, they are spending on decorative lights to give their homes a bright look. “It’s time to decorate the entire house with lights. It’ll be like victory over the darkness called the Covid-19 pandemic. I have bought a lot of such decorative lights this time,” said Jayant Rout, a resident of Baramunda.
Decorative light and diya sellers are happy that business is good. “Since people saved money by not going for crackers, they are splurging heavily on lights. Since the past two weeks, I have been doing good business and I hope it will continue till Diwali,” said Sanjib Biswal, a seller.

High footfall at Mruttika exhibition
The exhibition, held at the Exhibition ground every year, has terracotta products from different parts of the state. The exhibition started on Friday and people are visiting it in good numbers.