Karnal, October 28—Dr. Ashok Kumar Verma pointed out that the Diwali festival has just passed, but since then, air pollution is becoming a serious problem for humanity. First, discussing Diwali, it is well known that it is the festival of lights. There are many theories behind it. Some consider it a symbol of spreading light on the dark night of the new moon, while it is generally celebrated to commemorate Lord Shri Ram's return to Ayodhya.
If we discuss the ideals of Lord Shri Ram, his life was always dedicated to the welfare of the people. To fulfill his father's promise, he gladly accepted 14 years of exile. The most virtuous person, Shri Ram, always placed morality above all else and embraced it in his life. Therefore, while respecting his ideals, we should also adopt them in our lives.
Not only on the night of Diwali, but for many days before and after, people are causing air and noise pollution by bursting firecrackers. This festival is neither for air pollution nor for noise pollution. Unfortunately, this is what people today cannot understand.
The essence of the life of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram was dignity, restraint, and public welfare—not causing harm to anyone. So how can we believe that by bursting firecrackers and polluting the environment, we are following his path?
Dr. Ashok Kumar Verma said that if we look at it from a different perspective, if the money spent on firecrackers is used for charity, the spiritual joy and peace derived from it would be beyond words.
**The havoc of vehicles and smoke
Today, the smoke emitted by vehicles is also making human life difficult. It is common for a person to have multiple vehicles in a household. Almost as many vehicles as there are members in the household! Smoke from these vehicles, factory emissions, dust from under-construction buildings, garbage burning, and crop burning in the fields are all severely polluting the atmosphere.
People take these things lightly, but these small factors are compounding into a major threat. Pollution in Delhi and surrounding areas is rapidly increasing the incidence of respiratory diseases, lung diseases, and even serious diseases like cancer.
Towards a Solution
Getting rid of this problem is a major challenge. Unfortunately, incidents like garbage fires often occur even in government departments, further polluting the environment.
Everyone talks about their rights but forgets their duties. Nature has given us precious gifts like water, air, sky, fire, and earth, but humans are constantly exploiting them. If people do not merely tamper with nature, that would be a great service.
He said that humans should learn not only to take but also to give back to nature. With small efforts, we can bring about big changes. For example, plant a tree on your or your children's birthday and take care of it.
Have a vehicle only as per your family's needs. Use public transport instead of traveling alone. Use bicycles instead of fuel-powered vehicles; it is pollution-free, healthy, and beneficial for the body.
Use clean fuel in vehicles and maintain them properly. Do not set fire to garbage; dispose of it properly. Keep construction materials covered. Industrial units should adopt pollution-free fuel systems to ensure safety of life.