I must admit we talk big but when it comes to practical we end up too badly. In my city the noise and air pollution was more than that of last year and the firecrackers left hundreds of tons of garbage behind on roads and parks.

Here in Mangalore the corrators and other concerned people are seriously thinking of having a community celebration on grounds on the outskirts of the city so that you don't miss out on the fun of crackers and attractive fireworks and others who are unable to afford could also join in.The money will be collected through voluntary donations....I feel this is a good idea if it takes off since there are plans to invite children from orphanages and old age homes...

If this idea works ,people celebrating new year in foreign countries, gathering in one place and watch the fun of crackers the same idea exhibit here,everybody gets happy and did not waste the money spending towards crackers.

As long as people are responsible and dont go berserk it is alright to have a few lights and fire crackers and also clean up the mess you have created. Most of the streets become so messy after the celebrations and we expect the government and authorities to do the clean up. This why I feel that community celebrations shd be encouraged where people gather in one place like they do in UK on Guy Fox day and in other countries too to witness fireworks and pay a certain amount so that the place gets cleared up after the celebrations...

I too feel the same but problem with our country is the population! In UK the population is not so large as ours and hence the festivities of bonfire and firecrackers on Guy Fawkes Day can be enjoyed by all. If we tried that here, all we would experience is jostling and stepping on each others' feet and may also end up crushing many to death! :blink: All in all, there is also no proper reasoning and logic to the way things are celebrated here. Firecrackers are no longer limited to only Diwali now, here in Pune, we face this monstrosity almost all around the year, during numerous politician's birthdays, weddings, cricket matches, there is no end to the occasions. And also after the occasion, no one even bothers to clean up the trash they generated! :blink:

happy diwali to all of you.