As India prepares for Diwali, environmental activists across the country are urging citizens to resist corporate-driven pollution masked as “celebration.” Eco groups from Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi have called for a Green Diwali — free from firecrackers, synthetic decorations, and plastic packaging. They warn that each year, air quality plunges into “severe” zones, choking millions, while mountains of non-biodegradable waste pile up across cities.
But the problem isn’t just individual behavior — it’s a systemic one. Government inaction and corporate profiteering continue to normalize mass pollution every festive season. Activists are calling for community-led alternatives: traditional lamps, seed-based gifts, and local crafts that revive sustainable livelihoods.
The message is clear — we cannot celebrate festivals by destroying the planet we depend on.
