Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai today urged school children and eco clubs to take a pledge to observe a firecracker-free Diwali. Firecrackers were originally not part of Diwali celebrations, he claimed while interacting with schoolchildren and representatives of eco clubs at the Delhi Secretariat.
"Earlier, people would celebrate Diwali by lighting diyas (earthen lamps). There were no firecrackers. We have to return to the traditional way of celebrating the festival. 'D' stands for diyas and Diwali and 'P' stands for patakhe (firecrackers) and pollution," he said.
"I want all of you to promise that you will observe Diwali by lighting diya and not crackers".
On October 27, Mr Rai had launched the 'Patakhe Nahi Diya Jalao' campaign to create awareness against burning firecrackers.
The minister had warned of strict action under relevant IPC provisions and the Explosives Act against anyone found burning firecrackers.
The Delhi government has formed 15 teams at the district level to create awareness among people and to monitor the sale and purchase of firecrackers. Moreover, all the 157 police stations in the capital have a two-member team.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced a ban on firecrackers on September 15, saying it was "essential to save lives".
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
After Season's Coldest Night, Delhi Wakes Up To Another Day With Toxic Air 50% Of Delhi Government Employees To Work From Home Amid Severe Pollution Delhi Police Intensifies Vehicle Checks To Enforce GRAP Stage IV Rules Strangled, Left In Car Trunk: How Harshita Brella Was Killed By Husband AR Rahman, Wife Saira Announce Separation After 29 Years Of Marriage "Rama Krishna Hari": Supriya Sule On Cousin Ajit Pawar's Bitcoin Row Remark Google Chrome Worth Up To $20 Billion If Judge Orders Sale North Korea Hasn't Perfected ICBM Warheads, US Admiral Says Putin Plans First India Visit Since His War in Ukraine Began Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.