Bittersweet Diwali

Diwali in Delhi has for long been a bittersweet affair—a time of celebration that is marred by the harsh reality of air pollution.

On Diwali night this year, despite a ban on firecrackers, numerous neighbourhoods erupted with the sound of fireworks, and soon, the city was blanketed in thick smog. The otherwise joyous night became a painful reminder of how thin the air is that Delhiites breathe during winter.

Delhi has enforced a firecracker ban for five consecutive years, with an aim to prevent the annual spike in toxic fumes. But enforcement alone has clearly not done the job. This year too, the city took extensive measures—nearly 400 enforcement teams, backed by police and resident welfare associations, were deployed to ensure compliance. Yet as residents burst firecrackers across the city, it became clear that compliance was patchy at best.