Millions of Indians Celebrate Hindu Festival of Diwali with Deafening Fireworks
The Associated Press reports on Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, and the environmental and economic concerns affecting this year’s celebration. Environmentalists worried about the noise and air pollution that result from the fireworks displays and urged people to limit their use. However, India’s economic downturn impacted the level of overall celebration. Shopkeeper Mahesh Chand Sagar said, “Fulfilling one’s basic needs has become a problem nowadays. If people can’t afford basic necessities, how will they buy decorative items?”