A blog on the use of crackers during Diwali, Dussehra, etc. and the real situation at Sivakasi with respect to child labor. A documentary was made by a Korean team which I shall upload once I have permission from the NGO - Manitham who drove the project.

Happy Diwali, IS IT? 

On this auspicious day of Diwali I did like to share how certain few people choose to celebrate their Diwali. I know of people who travel down to Tamil Nadu from Bangalore to get good deals on crackers and brag about the "steals". Some of the "IT" companies now provide crackers to employees also!!! I even found a nice and useful blog on Tips on buying crackers. It's over decade since I have burst a cracker. I gave it up as a young teenager the minute I saw a documentary on Zee News about the Child Labor @ Sivakasi (I am not sure what it will take for you). I have seen today many sites speaking of ZERO child labor and stuff. These are rather heartening but I would not allow myself the luxury still... If it is not children the workers at such factories are at great risk and the accidents do keep happening (you may choose to ignore like the many others that you see in the paper each day). The articles below will give you ample reason to retain the doubts about the industries... The bottom line is you can always celebrate the festivals in a way that "God" if (s)he really exists would be rather pleased if we respected the environment and the safety of many. Be it Holi, Diwali, Ganesh chaturthi, or any other festivals - we could ensure our happiness is not at the expenses of such essentials... :) If you have already purchased the crackers and now have second thoughts which is good - you can always pass on the same to some not so fortunate children at some children's home... probably celebrate the festival with them and someone up above (possibly goddess Lakshmi) would surely be pleased! :) One interesting way could be to get together for some common fireworks in which case the pleasure is shared and the environment spared!!!  Some other good options at the end of this Post... An article from India today: http://www.india-today.com/webexclusive/dispatch/20011117/arun.html#top

The trailer of the documentary film as we work on getting the whole thing up:

Click on the Title for the complete story...

Another trailer