Although this is kinda cliche and I try to avoid cliches, it is this Festival of Light that entrances me every year. While it is considered that crackers cause harm to the environment, no person can elude the snares of lighting atleast a few crackers. What is/was the original significance of Diwali, one might ask. While it is known that Lord Krishna conquered Narakasura on this day, prompting the villagers of those days to light up fireworks to acknowledge the triumph of the "Good" over "Evil", some people also deliberate that the then people of Ayodhya lit up candles all along the way of Lord Ram's return from exile as the rightful king, leading to the event being replicated nowadays. As of today, the entire concept of Diwali has become, rather messed up. Our ancestors didn't cause any harm to Mother Nature but today, most of our crackers are not at all eco-friendly. It is estimated that on the day of Diwali alone, the amount of sulfur dioxide (a compound present in most, if not, all crackers) in the air increases multifold. The people of yesteryears never used these kinda things. Instead, they paid their obeisance and reverence to the deities by just lighting up a large amount of oil lamps, as you might see in the picture. Ultimately, I know what one does is one's birthright, but I would like to strongly implore each and every person that might read this article to please curb the amount of fireworks used in their respective homes. As a member of the Interact Club (a division of Rotary Club), I have sworn to light lesser amount of crackers than in the past. I hope atleast some would follow this humble request. So, let us enjoy this Diwali with friends and family, make merry, jest , partake of sweets, adorn dresses to signify our culture and also strive to make it as eco-friendly as possible.