Getting a dog many years back was the last straw that made our family stop buying crackers once and for all. The dog was a hyper-sensitive creature who stood trembling through out the days and nights of Diwali; Any sound of crackers was enough to get her tense and get her heart racing. She would not even eat for days. I have also heard of dogs that get excited and try to grab the crackers.

Dogs and other animals are many times more sensitive than ours. Once we get a pet, it is our responsibility to spare them the torture of crackers. What do you think? (There are also some people who are cruel enough to tie crackers to the tails of street dogs. If you see this happening, stop them, please!)

Beyond noise pollution, most of us know now the negative effects of crackers which emit corrosive oxides of Sulphur, Phosphorous and Nitrogen, as well as the poisonous CO2. So why do we continue to buy crackers?

Tradition? "What is a Diwali without fireworks" attitude? If that is the case, why not have a community fireworks event managed by trained people; so people in a neighbourhood get together in a nearby maidan or park, it would be a nice picnic. Enjoyable and safe. And the chance to see spectacular fireworks which individually we may not be able to afford to buy!