Mizoram observes diwali sans fireworks and crackers

Aizawl, Nov 8 : For the first time, Mizoram is observing a diwali sans fireworks and crackers. Basically, this is due to a significant absence of fireworks and crackers during the last Christmas and New Year festival, following a prohibition imposed by the Mizoram government with the backing of influential bodies such as the churches and the Young Mizo Association.

Following the example of their Mizo Christian brethren, the Hindu community in Mizoram has restrained from displaying fireworks and crackers in the festival of light though the government has not officially announced any fresh prohibition.

''In respect of our Mizo Christian brethren who had kept away from fireworks and crackers during their biggest festival, we have decided not to display fireworks and crackers. Nobody has told us to avoid fireworks and crackers,'' said P Chakraborty, the state law secretary and president of Hindustan Club of Aizawl.

''After all, fireworks and crackers are just a waste of money and cause air pollution,'' he added.

''We all know firecrackers release harmful gases in the atmosphere but we do nothing about it. People blindly follow things that everyone participates in. The true essence of Diwali is lost in the noise and smoke of crackers,'' commented a 28-year-old IT professional who is on a holiday with his parents in Aizawl.

However, the traditional lighting up of houses and mandirs are not absent. The diwali revellers have their homes and worship places lit up beautifully.