Breathing Fireworks: The Hidden Cost of Our Festive Joy

Dr. Sunny Dhiman

As the lights of Diwali fade and dawn breaks, the air tells a different story. A grey haze hangs low over our cities, the faint smell of burnt gunpowder lingering long after the festivities end. For a few hours of dazzling fireworks, we pay a heavy price, one that we continue to inhale for days.

Every year, India celebrates the festival of lights with unmatched fervour. Streets glow with diyas, homes sparkle with decorations, and the sky bursts into colour. Yet, behind this beauty lies an uncomfortable truth: the very fireworks that symbolize joy and victory are now choking our air and our lungs.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality indices in major Indian cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore and Kolkata often jump from “moderate” to “severe” within 24 hours after Diwali night. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations soar to ten or even twenty times the safe limit prescribed by the World Health Organisation. These microscopic particles penetrate deep into our respiratory systems, triggering asthma, bronchitis, and long-term cardiovascular ailments. Hospitals record noticeable spikes in respiratory distress cases immediately after the festival — a grim annual ritual that follows the night of celebration.

But air pollution after Diwali is not merely a scientific concern; it is a social and moral one. The people most affected are often those least responsible — children, the elderly, outdoor workers, and the urban poor who cannot escape to cleaner air. A child celebrating on a terrace may feel momentary joy, but another child, struggling to breathe a few kilometres away, pays the price. The beauty of our traditions should not come at the cost of others’ health and dignity.

Many argue that the problem is exaggerated — that Diwali fireworks account for only a few days of pollution each year. But that argument misses the point. Diwali coincides with the season of crop residue burning, stagnant wind conditions, and increasing vehicular emissions. Fireworks act as an environmental amplifier, worsening an already toxic cocktail of pollutants. The result is a short but severe pollution episode that pushes cities beyond their ecological limits.

The introduction of so-called “green crackers” was hailed as a step forward, but their impact has been minimal. Studies show that while they emit around 30% fewer pollutants than traditional fireworks, their widespread availability, labelling inconsistency, and enforcement gaps have made little difference on the ground. Moreover, many consumers remain unaware — or unconvinced — of their supposed benefits. A more honest conversation is needed about how “green” these alternatives truly are.

The challenge, therefore, is not just technological but cultural. Fireworks have become synonymous with celebration and victory in India — from cricket matches to weddings. Banning them outright, as courts have repeatedly attempted, often sparks public backlash and defiance. The way forward lies not in prohibition alone but in persuasion — a shift in how we define joy and festivity. Communities, religious organizations, and schools must play a central role in reimagining Diwali as a festival of light, not smoke.

Some cities around the world offer hopeful examples. In Sydney, Singapore, and Dubai, large-scale public light and laser shows have replaced fireworks during major celebrations, drawing equal crowds without harming the air. India too can innovate — with drone light displays, synchronized diya events, and neighbourhood-level clean-air pledges. Technology, art, and tradition can blend beautifully when guided by conscience.

At the heart of Diwali is the victory of good over evil, of light over darkness. In a modern context, that moral message must extend to our relationship with nature. True celebration should not leave our air poisoned, our skies grey, and our children coughing. It should inspire harmony — between people, progress, and the planet.

If we can light millions of lamps across India, surely, we can light the way to cleaner air. The choice is ours: to let our joy sparkle briefly in smoke, or to let it shine enduringly in clarity. The fireworks may fade, but the breath we take tomorrow is the real celebration worth preserving.