India is a noisy country. Crackers are burst for every occasion. When India wins a cricket match the burst of crackers is deafening. It’s like someone is just waiting to create noise. Our propensity to play loud music is legendary. These days cars have booming loudspeakers which create a ruckus in neighbourhoods. No one can control the noise freaks. And now Diwali the festival of lights is upon us. And the noise decibels have only increased. No one really cares about the impact that noise has on people with heart ailments and on little children and infants whose ability to withstand noise is still very fragile. And what about the elderly and sick people? Does anyone care?
India is also a country where laws are made to be broken. Law enforcement is so weak that people don’t believe they will ever be caught or punished. Hence laws are broken with impunity. In places like Mumbai, public spirited citizens are campaigning against firecrackers and noise. Many other cities have no one to remind citizens that they should celebrate all festivals with responsibility and without being a nuisance to others. At one time Diwali used to be celebrated by only one religious group. Now it has become a universal celebration because everyone thinks it is their birthright to create noise. People are not interested in the ‘lights’ part of Diwali. The district administration has set a deadline of 10 pm beyond which bursting of crackers is illegal. But the thundering noise is heard well after that deadline. There is no policeman to patrol the city and nab the law breakers. Revelry is associated with drunken brawls, fights and rackets.
Diwali is not celebrated for one day but over a three-day period. Hence people are inflicted with loud noise for three days and sometimes more. The worst affected by Diwali noise are dumb animals. Dogs cringe and moan each time a bomb or series of bombs rent the air. The cruelty of human beings knows no bounds. That their celebration causes distress to others does not seem to be of any concern. How do you sensitise the insensitive but by booking them under the relevant laws?