Fireworks

I am not here to elaborate about the fireworks done as part of Kuwait 50^th anniversary celebrations. That will come after my tirade is completed against selective umbrage. This is to ask certain questions that have been raging within me for the last few years, especially after my return to India. Whenever, it is time for Deepavali festival, at least one month before the cudgels are raised to voice protest over how much of environmental damage this festival would cause due to the fire crackers.

Yet these same voices will become muted when the whole world goes berserk with thousands of fire crackers that light up the night sky at the time of New Year. What happens then to the environment? There is no pollution or the reality is that they also partake in the revelry because it’s a universal phenomenon. Yet when it comes to Deepavali, it becomes the festival of one religion, not of the nation. This festival, unfortunately, signifies victory of Good over Evil and is not based on religion, caste or creed. Yet people take different positions when it comes to this festival and many other Hindu festivals like Holi (Colors), Ganesha (Idols) so on and so forth.

Why are the minds really sickular and cannot protest anything staged outside of this country. Simple reasons, one they would be ignored like crap, second if they still insist, there will not be a polite but overt and direct message, mind your stuff and third they would be banned from entering their country. Fear of being ostracized does not exist within India but they will claim that they are being singled out, yet they worry more about how they will be perceived outside of this country. I know this write up will rise heckles of many secular minds but let’s be honest these prudish statements of late really make me revolting to the bone.

I don’t deny the fact that bursting crackers cause air and noise pollution, irritation to young children, old aged people and suffering to animals, yes it does, but only for a day. These days, there is also a shift to green crackers and they symbolize how we celebrate victory of good over evil. Yes, it can be celebrated in other muted ways and if so, the argument will lead to more unsavoury topics, especially animals that are butchered in millions across the world in the name of custom and religion. What say then, there is no pollution, no cruelty; it’s all part of the cultural ethos that we need to embrace harmoniously. What are your take then, secular minded folks?

Environment is a serious issue and yes it’s affecting everyone around the globe. Any decision therefore has to be universal in nature. It cannot be dissected and targeted to one religion or sect. That then becomes Racism. People, who speak that they care about animals, are the ones that actually carve them up in their plates. People who speak about air pollution are the ones that drive gas guzzling macho machines and use all kinds of home appliances that generate so much of carbon dioxide. People who speak about noise pollution are the ones that let speakers blare to make other people deaf. People who speak about artificial colors and other things are the ones that buy tons of clothes, footwear and accessories (made out of leather whittled out of animals by the way), use it briefly and fill up landfills.

The socio-political high priests preach to others while they merrily make a mockery of what they say and end up doing exactly the opposite. Because it is not meant for them, rather to the poor, low and working middle class people who make up India. These illiterates and even foolish literates follow them on social and other media like fools and believe them completely. They even manage to create such divisive mentality that two groups fight unto death on social media as to who is right.

As a human, you have every right to decide, choose and follow what you feel is the right thing to do, so long as it is legally permissible. No one can coerce you to think and do otherwise or infringe upon your freewill. Yet most humans fall prey to these false and pretentious statements that plague social and other media like wildfire. Simple reason is that it is difficult to think and form an independent opinion of our own. Because you need to take a decision and live by its rules, as it calls for mental focus and discipline. Rather it is easy to sway like a pendulum and take different stance at every other turn. That’s what happens to most of the people.

Finally to conclude, it is the prerogative of the individual to decide what they want, so long as it is legal and in compliance to local laws. Don’t impose your views unless you are able to apply a universal dictum to what you preach. And don’t do it selectively based on certain customs, practice, race, creed or religion. If you choose to apply it selectively, then it becomes Racism in another form. And I am totally against it.

Kuwait Fireworks – 10th Nov 2012

Kuwait this weekend staged the world’s largest ever fireworks display, during an event celebrating the golden jubilee anniversary of its country’s constitution.

A total of 77,282 fireworks were launched during the display with the total cost of the performance reportedly billed at an eye-watering $15million. (i.e. Rupees 50 crores approximately)

The display, which lasted for an hour, took place along the shoreline of Kuwait City and was watched by tens of thousands of people.

It marked 50 years to the day since the late Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah announced that Kuwait had become the first Arab state in the Gulf to create a constitution and a parliament.

Dad landed in Kuwait only that morning and despite the tiredness from early morning travel was ready to accompany us for this grand spectacle. The roads were packed along the Marina and we first had to find a suitable parking spot and then walk a couple of kms to witness it from a suitable location.