Harsh Vardhan wants 'silent' Diwali, writes to LG to sensitise people

Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has urged Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to ensure that the national capital celebrates a 'silent' Diwali this year.

Stating that noise-pollution free Diwalis are fast becoming the norm in many parts of the country, Harsh Vardhan said, "A Supreme Court order of July 2005 had banned the bursting of fire crackers in residential areas."

"The implementation of the apex court's order has been practically absent in Delhi. Some state governments have been quite successful in ensuring quietness . I hope that under your direction, Delhi will turn a corner from this Diwali onwards," he added in his letter to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

"Many excuses have been offered by administrations of the past for Delhi's general disregard (of the Supreme Court's order). The reasons advanced vary from 'cultural' to 'police insufficiency'. These are all unacceptable," he said.

The Health Minister, who has already announced that he is in the process of constituting an expert group to recommend nationwide measures to prevent noise pollution, recalled that progressive governments cannot reconcile cultural sentiments with the suffering of people, especially children and old people.

"Fire-crackers which sell under a variety of names lead to noise pollution which causes many physical diseases for people of all age groups. Small children and senior children are traumatized the most during the Diwali season because of the tendency to burst loud crackers is most manifested during the night. Many psychological disorders are also caused," he said.

Recalling his three decades of experience as a practising ENT surgeon in Delhi, he said, "Many cases of traumatic perforation of the ear drums tended to show a distinct increase in the aftermath of Diwali. Apart from that there are many burn cases and eye injuries."

"With only eight days left for Diwali, the L-G should not lose time in issuing strict instructions to all police stations, resident welfare association and corporation authorities to enforce the apex Court's order," he added.

Simultaneously, the Lieutenant Governor was urged to involve school and college principals by asking them to advise students on the ill-effects of noise pollution and the responsibility of the new generation in building up a compassionate society.

The Health Minister also suggested launching a campaign at the earliest so that people do not invest their money on crackers which generate noise.

"It would serve no purpose having a campaign after most people have bought crackers as the tendency to break the law would be quite marked," he said.