School students spread safe Diwali message

Accompanied by officials of the West Bengal government, a group of school students participated in a rally here Tuesday to generate awareness on the perils of bursting illegal firecrackers during Diwali.

Sporting shirts with messages and holding aloft banners calling for a safe Diwali, the participants from various state-run schools walked from Deshapriya Park to Jatin Das Park in south Kolkata.

Organised by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Kolkata Police and West Bengal's environment department, the walk also helped in apprising citizens of various health hazards resulting from bursting noisy firecrackers (more than 90 decibels).

According to Binoy K. Dutta, the board's chairman, police will keep watch and intercept illegal firecrackers while officials of the pollution control agency will monitor the situation by dispatching mobile squads during Diwali and Kali Puja celebrations here Oct 23.

In addition, a control room will be set up at the headquarters of the board where citizens can call in to report grievances pertaining to bursting illegal firecrackers.

Last year, the board prohibited the use of 89 types of firecrackers, which emitted sounds of more than 90 decibels.