On Diwali

Diwali is celebrated once a year. Bursting firecrackers is a unique part of the festival, which children of all age groups look forward to. The prohibitive cost of firecrackers notwithstanding, parents spend on them. While bursting them, they spend valuable time with their children.

I would suggest to all my friends who cite noise pollution and smoke as reasons for ending the practice of firing crackers that they rewind to their childhood days and recall how they enjoyed during Diwali. I still remember my grandfather tying an agarbathi to a long stick for me to light the “Redfort vedi” from a safe distance. Let us enjoy at least once a year without complaining.

Lt.Col. R.V.S. Mani (retd.),

Chennai