celebrating Deepavali grandly - 2019

3 decades ago came Mani Ratnam’s ‘Nayakan’ – story of an Underworld don – even before the film was released, the songs became a super hit – there was this old themed song  "Naan Sirithal Deepavali"   - sung by yesteryear stars - K. Jamuna Rani, M. S. Rajeswari and chorus.  Read that this scene was shot at the spot where the Taj Club House, (Club House Road opp to Spencers) is located today. The old building previously located at that spot was called the "Indian Express Building" by film industrialists as it was adjacent to the Old office of the Indian Express. Thota Tharani converted the building's exterior into a brothel and used the opposite end of the building for Velu's house location.

pic credit : Mrs Sreepriya Iyengar

Deepavali, the festival is all about happiness .. .. the way to celebrate is a simple routine.  Have Ganga snanam, wear new clothes, burst crackers gleefully, eat sweets unlimited, respect thy elders, be kind and courteous to all around, be happy and make others happy by sharing – sweets, food, crackers and more – simply spread the happiness.  Come Deepavali, the noice of advocates of crackerless Deepavali is more din than the sound of crackers.  Can any of these authorities think of a similar ban on say – sale of liquor, at least restricting the timing or say screening  of cinema etc., if not meatless, turkey-less festivals.

For those with some memory – last year or so, ~ responding to petitions !  seeking a ban on firecrackers in India, Supreme Court  imposed several restrictions on firecrackers, refraining from a blanket ban. Apart from setting a window of only two hours,  for fireworks during Diwali, the apex court also said that only Green Crackers will be allowed in the country. Green crackers are low pollution firecrackers that scientists have developed in recent years but not yet available in local markets.  Some cine stars immediately joined the bandwagon telling .. ‘let us celebrate crackerless Diwali’, but the same star during her wedding bash ensured that crackers lit the sky !! 

Deepavali, the festival of Lights enthuses everyone and is celebrated all over the Country with so much of enthusiasm.  People wear new clothes, eat lot of sweets and celebrate with crackers.   The very thought of the festival would enthuse – as it would provide everything in abundance – sweets, visiting and sharing with friends and relatives, watching movies and more…. and .. .. fire crackers – the small explosives designed to produce noise and the eye-capturing fireworks – both on the ground and on the air have captivated people.   Every year you get to hear newer names –they say AK47, Break dance, Golden Bonanza, Mumbai Indians, Oh Calcutta are some of the names quoted in the circles as wonders……… – at Triplicane, Sri Parthasarathi Swami purappadu in the mada veethis every year takes 4 to 5 hours as residents celebrate with crackers, fireworks and more !

To those who feel - Crackers pollute !!  ~  do you travel on road, drive your car or by bus ?go on picnics and more ??  -  there is so much   PM2.5 on air on Highways.  PM2.5 refers to tiny atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of up to 2.5 micrometers. In addition to the exhaust of a vehicle, brakes and wearing out of the tyre and resuspension of road dust can result in PM2.5 emissions. Thanks to their small size, they can be easily inhaled and penetrate the respiratory and circulatory systems. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can cause asthma, lung cancer and cardiovascular disorders. CO is a toxic gas a high concentrate of which can lead to unconsciousness and death.  So will we vow to reduce the unnecessary travel ?

How  addicted are you to your air conditioner? – don’t rich and powerful use air conditioner in their cars, room air conditioners at home and centralized a/c at offices – now a days, people are using air conditioners almost throughout the year, as in Chennai and other places –the climate, is hot, hotter and hottest .. ..   Air conditioning can cause – dry skin, muscle contractions, air borne infections,   respiratory problems, eye conditions and more – it is harmful for the society, more bad for those outside where the air is let out .. .. .. but it is for rich and famous !  -  they cannot live without refrigerators – be it in Office or at home – there is no harm perhaps in fridges as such - the problems occur when they escape. CFC's are ozone depleters, each CFC molecule can destroy thousands of ozone molecules. Ozone protects us from high levels of UF light. High UV can cause cataracts, skin cancer, DNA damage.

There are times when one feels, judgments are against the common man – and at times against the majority community .. .. .. sad !  ~  and in case you are sad, that politicians here are not extending Deepavali wishes – here is one !!!  ~ and some more photos of cracker shops at Island grounds, Chennai.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

26^th Oct 2019.

PS :  Julie Ann Owens,  is an Australian politician who has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 2004, representing the Division of Parramatta, New South Wales.