One gets a feeling that there have been attempts
to somehow dampen the spirits of Deepavali – as every year, we hear of more and
more restrictions from various Governmental authorities. Earlier, some hue and cry was raised about
child labor in the fireworks manufacturing – if the concern was real, why the
same was not raised in candle and other things – where also child labor is
involved. Then, some start talking about
the pollution control. Tamil Nadu
Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has issued guidelines to ensure that
high-decibel firecrackers do not cause trouble to the public. Then there is the Supreme Court
guidelines, which bans bursting crackers between 10pm and 6am ~ and
as they say for everything else, the prices are going up – this year too, reportedly the prices of
crackers have increased by 10%.
According to some reports, new varieties of crackers cost between Rs.
200 & Rs. 700/-.
Sivakasi, in
Virudhunagar District of Tamilnadu is the undisputed capital of India’s firecracker
industry with about 8,000 factories, big and small, producing 90 percent of the
total fireworks output. Hailed as ‘kutti
Japan’ – this place is also known for litho printing press and calendars. In May 2014, had posted on the Madurai Bench
of Madras high court chiding top central agencies, including the Customs
department, for failing to prevent illegal import of Chinese firecrackers into
the country .
Now a report in The
Hindu, reports how the sentiments are exploited. It is nothing new that Hindu
tradition and sentiments are used for marketing and other purposes. It is stated that the faed ‘Chota Bheem’ has
now become a brand for crackers made in China. Packed in covers with ‘Chota
Bheem’ logo and ‘Made in China’ reference, questions are being raised over the
sale and safety of these “highly hazardous” fireworks.
A circular issued by
the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in the Union Ministry of
Commerce and Industry states that fireworks of foreign origin are illegally
brought into India under false declarations. These smuggled items contain
chemicals such as Potassium Chlorate, which is a dangerous and hazardous
chemical that can ignite or explode spontaneously. “The manufacture,
possession, use and sale of any explosive containing sulfur or sulphurate in
admixture with any chlorate is banned in India. It is illegal and punishable
under the law,” the circular says. It also mentions that sale or possession of
such fireworks may be reported to the nearest police station.
The President, Tamil
Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association (TANFAMA), is quoted as
telling The Hindu that Indian crackers
are non-friction-sensitive, whereas Chinese crackers are friction-sensitive. If
a child handles a Chinese cracker wrongly, it will explode on his face due to
the presence of potassium chlorate. In Sivakasi, we use only safe chemicals,”
he explains. Another says that there will be high-decibel noise from Chinese
products but safety is doubtful.
One
should not be guided by tall claims or cheaper price – take pledge not to buy
illegally imported goods. Buy only Indian crackers. Celebrate Deepavali in style – with lots of
crackers, sweets and new clothers. Visit your relatives, pay obeisance to elders
and do some good for the Society, donate for some good-minded service oriented
NGOs. Donate liberally to orphanages.
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
14th Oct 2014.
