Celebrating festivals with crackers has been the practice in India for ages. However, there is growing awareness of the harm done by crackers and as a result there have been many anti – firecracker campaigns. Students took an active role last Diwali in a house – to – house campaign against crackers. The fruits of their labour were seen at the time of Ganesha festival as not many crackers were burst. There was a marked drop in air and noise pollution. Many NGOs also have taken up the cause. To create awareness of harmful effects of firecrackers, the NGOs have organised interactive sessions, skits, street plays and rallies. The crusade, in a way, is a against child labour also as firecracker factories employ small **. It is sad that *** have to work in such harmful conditions. So let us ban crackers, monitor pollution and say ‘No’ to fireworks.
