The Festival of Diwali has arrived in 2021 and people are all decked up in complete swing to welcome it. There are crowds in the market and shopkeepers hope to make up for their losses incurred during the Pandemic period.
The get-togethers and events are being organized with new community celebrations. The markets are filled with stalls set up to serve traditional sweets and snacks to complete the festival. People buy gifts, new lights and new clothes to charm up the celebrations and this is a traditional way of celebrating the occasion. All this is done to welcome Goddess Laxmi and seek her blessings.
People are viewing Diwali as an opportunity to meet and greet with their friends and relatives in one of the most auspicious festivals of the Hindus. But, just like 2020, there is a fear of covid-19 associated with Diwali this year. The deadly second wave has left.
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Still, there is a constant fear of the increase in covid-19 cases and the threat of the third wave during festivals. Additionally, fireworks have increased pollution levels. These high pollution levels are further causing Respiratory diseases and people fall sick.
If you are left with your last-minute preparations for the festival of lights then we have some safe alternatives for your help. Some important tips to celebrate a happy and safe Diwali 2021 is:-
(1). Follow covid-19 appropriate behaviours while celebrating the festivals- Are you planning to go out and meet family members of friends this Diwali? If yes, then make sure that you have a small get-together. Also, make sure that all your family members have their shots of the covid-19 vaccine. Wear an N95 mask and sanitize your hands frequently (but not near flame). Stand at some distance from others and keep the doors and windows open for healthy ventilation.
(2). Don’t use sanitiser near the flames of diyas or candles– Make sure that you avoid the use of sanitisers before lighting diyas or candles or near them. They are highly flammable and result in hazardous incidents. Wash your hands before lighting the Diya or candles.
(3). Go green and refrain from using crackers– In the present times, the Air quality index in nearly every city and more importantly the Metro cities have been deteriorating. The Air quality index on the following days of Diwali has been alarming for some years now. They cause severe Respiratory diseases and harm the natural environment. Their loud noise also scares and harms the animals. So, try to refrain from using crackers or use green crackers
(4). Avoid fabrics that are susceptible to fire- Everyone likes to get ready and style themselves with new, heavy, and fashionable clothes at festivals like Diwali. But, try to avoid wearing fabrics like Chiffon, Georgette, silk, and satin. Such fabrics are more susceptible to fire. You can switch towards wearing loose-fitting cotton, cotton silk, or jute clothes.
(5). Prefer Home-cooked food– Do you like to eat food from outside during festivals? If yes, then please try to avoid this habit on Diwali this year. The threat of covid-19 is not over and the dengue cases in the country are increasing. So, try to stick to light, home-cooked food and snacks during Diwali.
These are some important easy tips to make your Happy Diwali a ‘Safe Diwali’. Try to incorporate these ways into your festival celebrations to enhance the joy of Diwali.
WISH YOU A HAPPY, SAFE, AND PROSPEROUS DIWALI.
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