ART Message for HEART
Subhashan Bhattarai from Kathmandu sent a picture of a heart-shaped Rangoli without any title. When I asked about the message, he wrote, “Creativity; reminder: eat less oily food during festivals.” In response, I wrote, “I agree that indulging in such foods occasionally, especially during festivals, is relatively fine, though it’s a message worth promoting. Any harm done to our health can often be managed with a post-festival diet. Food choices are personal, while smoke impacts everyone collectively. Take a look at the two responses I received to my message.”
The entire context of the message was about pollution created by crackers. These are the messages that were exchanged with a few people, both in a group and personally:
“I never knew about firecrackers on Diwali! It was the first time I came across them when I moved to the city for studies. In North India, it is considered a matter of pride to have crackers and in what quantity and variety. I never knew this was a national phenomenon! Or is it political domination by the North?”—Satyaveer Chakrapani, Delhi.
“Though it has now become a pan-Indian phenomenon, awareness is gradually growing around celebrating a cracker-free Diwali. In the ashram, we have never allowed crackers, at least so far. I’m not sure about the future.”—DB, Ashram.
“I am confident this will continue, Swamiji.”—Satya.
“It should begin at home. Teach children about the harm that crackers cause—to their own health, the health of others, and the environment. Explain that it can be even worse than passive smoking. In the name of preserving their ‘right’ to enjoy each stage of life, we may inadvertently harm them. Not only does charity begin at home, but so does dharma—especially for parents.”—DB.
“One reason might be economic interests driven by political survival, similar to lobbying for the right to keep guns in America. To appease the god of politics, they sacrifice their own children to that bloodthirsty deity.”—DB.
“Very true, Swamiji. People compete to spend money on crackers, especially in affluent gated communities. I experienced this in my own neighborhood when I was staying in Jakkur. There I know people spending up to 30,000 and proudly claiming that bursting crackers in their house went on till midnight. Change has begun, and schools are doing a great job of educating children on the ill effects of crackers causing big environmental hazards. Whatever schools teach is nullified by political and business interests.”—Sankar, Bangalore.
[02/11, 8:52 am] Swaminathan: “Totally wrong concept—not celebrating, not enjoying a festival full of flavors that comes only once in a year. Regarding the history of firecrackers, everything we do, like preparing sweets or wearing new clothes, is limited to history. Time can change the flavor. You can do anything you like in your ashram but not outside. Do you know that non-smokers also get TB-related diseases? Pollution control is not only on Diwali day; it should go throughout the year. Bad or good practices need continuous and constant doing, not once.”—Chennai.
[02/11, 8:57 am] Dayanand Bharathi: “Best excuse. It’s like pouring more ghee on the fire! What someone chooses to indulge in privately shouldn’t create problems for others. Sweets may cause personal health issues, but smoke affects everyone collectively. Instead of focusing on the messenger, let’s pay attention to the message!”—DB.
“I tend to agree with Swaminathan Annan. Cities and water bodies are chronically polluted, so a small festival spike is something we can live with.”—Chakravarthy, Bangalore.
“One can celebrate Diwali without crackers, but to do so without sweets would be an injustice to the festival of lights and sweetness. Holi without gujiya, Ugadi without kajayam, and Pongal without sweet pongal all represent adharma.”—DB.
“So, it’s okay to ‘pollute’ the body with sugar and fat, but not okay to pollute our habitat! Collectively, all bodies that eat!”—Chakravarthy.
“Responsible pollution.”—Deepak, Hyderabad.
“Sir, we shouldn’t make such statements, as they could lead us to be considered adharmis. Let’s see whether the sweets sent to Anand and Shara actually reach them or if they vanish along the way.😉 Or perhaps they’ll end up with Kamala or Donald, undermining democracy not only in America but elsewhere in the world—Bangladesh being the most recent victim.”—DB.
[02/11, 9:50 am] Swaminathan: “All Hindu festivals require money, business, and political influence, like Ganesh Chaturthi. You may have a routine life without any variation, but not common people. They require change, which boosts psychological health, attitude, etc. Celebrating Diwali is a social compulsion for those who murmur ifs and buts in Bharat.”
[02/11, 10:01 am] Dayanand Bharathi: “True, but at what cost? Every festival is intertwined with economics and even politics. Festivals are meant to celebrate relationships, but indulging in sweets to the point of personal harm is a separate issue. In our childhood, we didn’t have elaborate painted Ganesh idols. Commercialization has even spoiled the true spirit of festivity, fostering competition among people over who has the grandest Ganesh or who sets off the most firecrackers. Yet, no one stops to consider that this also adds to pollution in the environment and our water bodies.
We should seek alternatives—like using natural colors or uncolored Ganesh idols. While putting up lots of lights and lighting numerous oil lamps can also harm the environment, we shouldn’t stop using lamps in our puja rooms or lighting our homes and streets. As we progress, we cannot avoid certain inevitable issues. However, we should actively consider and practice restoration efforts and teach these values to our children.”
Reflection:
Festivals serve multiple purposes. They provide a break from monotony and an opportunity to celebrate life, particularly our relationships. Food is an essential part of every festival. Not only in India but worldwide, it’s hard to imagine celebrating a festival without food. However, festivals also include other social, cultural, and religious activities. For example, throwing colored powder and water is central to Holi, and for many, the celebration wouldn’t be complete without it. Some now promote using flowers instead of powder, while others encourage natural over chemical-based colors. Diwali celebrations are another example, where more families are choosing eco-friendly oil lamps and biodegradable decorations. Debating the pros and cons of each approach could go on indefinitely.
While choices that affect only our personal health may remain personal, when our actions impact others, it’s essential to rethink and find alternatives that uphold the spirit of festivity while considering others’ well-being, especially their health. There’s no justification for air and noise pollution in our lives or our environment, but solutions exist, and laws alone can’t enforce self-discipline. Each individual must take the first step with a clear conscience and firm conviction—without making excuses.
Take the example of air pollution from fireworks during Diwali, which has recently become a global concern. While we can recover from personal indulgences like eating oily or sugary foods, environmental harm burdens others who must work to restore balance. Greenhouse gas emissions, for instance, are a worldwide threat with costly consequences for everyone. Although this issue is widely recognized, it’s worth remembering that one person’s freedom ends where it begins to harm another.
When it comes to ethics and morality, one may have the freedom to act as long as the effects are personal and easily corrected. But when others are impacted, it’s wiser to reconsider and find alternatives. Fortunately, many people are already exploring ways to celebrate responsibly, such as opting for quieter festivities, choosing eco-friendly decorations, or avoiding single-use plastics. These small changes allow everyone to share in the joy of the celebration, rather than a few enjoying it while many suffer. As you plan your next festival, consider the impact of your choices—not just for yourself but for the community. Taking simple, conscious steps can help preserve our environment and promote a shared, joyful festivity for everyone.
DB
Gurukulam, 2-11-2024
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