Author: Rasmita Jena

The Delhi government has asked the Supreme Court to ban firecrackers all year long. They believe this will help reduce pollution in the air and loud noise, especially during the Diwali festival.

Every year since 2017, Delhi has limited firecracker sales and use during Diwali, but the pollution has not gotten better. Senior lawyer Shadan Farasat, representing Delhi, said they want a permanent ban on firecrackers to protect the environment. Firecrackers release harmful gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which hurt the air, soil, and water.

SC’s Request to Neighboring States
The Supreme Court, guided by Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, has also asked nearby states for their thoughts about a complete firecracker ban. This ban would cover making, storing, selling, and using firecrackers. They want to ensure that citizens have the right to live in an environment without pollution, stating that no religious beliefs can justify causing harm to nature.

Experts Weigh In
Experts say while firecrackers can increase pollution, they are not the only problem. Dipankar Saha, a former pollution control official, mentioned that firecrackers have a quick effect on pollution, especially in still air. However, when the wind blows, their impact is less.

Professor Mukesh Khare from IIT-Delhi explained that firecracker pollution stays low to the ground, especially in winter when there is less wind. This polluted air can be inhaled, which is harmful to health.

Sunil Dahiya, an environmental expert, called the proposed firecracker ban a “symbolic step.” He believes we should also tackle other pollution sources, like cars and factories.

Environmental and Health Effects
The leftovers from firecrackers harm the environment, affecting the air, soil, and water. Chemicals can remain for a long time after the celebration. Studies have shown that fireworks can also scare away wildlife. For example, some birds in Europe left their homes due to firecracker noises.

Chandra Bhushan, an environmental leader, warned that fireworks can also start fires, endangering people and property.

Moving Towards Electric Vehicles
The Supreme Court is urging a switch to electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce air pollution from cars. Justice Oka suggested creating a rule to make government vehicles electric, similar to when public transport in Delhi was changed to compressed natural gas (CNG) back in 1998. The Delhi government has confirmed that all new government vehicles will be electric. The court also asked for data on vehicles used in public transport to help speed up the shift to EVs in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Supporting Workers Impacted by Pollution Rules
The court recognized that pollution rules can hurt workers’ jobs. They ordered that workers affected by restrictions must receive support. The Delhi government is providing ₹8,000 to 90,000 workers and checking to see if more people need help.

Fireworks are a hot topic in Delhi’s fight against pollution, especially in winter when the air is more polluted. Studies in other cities, like Beijing, show that festival fireworks can lead to sudden increases in pollution levels. While firecrackers are part of the problem, experts say we shouldn’t forget bigger pollution sources like cars and factories. Delhi’s pollution plans also include dealing with burning crop waste, managing garbage, and controlling industrial emissions. The Supreme Court is working on the firecracker ban while addressing wider pollution issues to find a complete solution to Delhi’s pollution troubles.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli recently visited China and made important agreements. During his trip from December 2 to 5, he signed a deal for cooperation under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This deal is not a blanket agreement; instead, it allows for discussions about specific projects one by one. This means Nepal can get help from China without upsetting its relationships with India and the United States, which is crucial for its own political stability and economy.

Oli’s visit includes plans for further talks with India’s Prime Minister, aiming for a visit to New Delhi in mid-January 2023. The joint statement from the visit shows that both Nepal and China value their friendship, but there are still challenges ahead. Historically, the communist parties in Nepal have been close to China, but Oli was smart not to make any promises that could backfire politically. Instead, a special team worked together to create this new BRI Framework that both his party and the centrist Nepali Congress supported.

The statement emphasizes respect for China’s internal matters, such as avoiding support for Tibetan independence or Taiwan’s independence. The two countries also agreed to work together on cultural exchanges and deepen their economic ties through various projects.

Nepal plans to strengthen its transportation system by developing highways and economic corridors that will connect it better with China. They also want to reopen 14 border trade points that have been closed recently. This will make it easier for people and goods to move between the two countries. In addition, opening flights to cities like Pokhara and Lumbini is in the works to boost travel and trade.

However, Nepal has ongoing concerns about borrowing money for these projects, and they prefer grants instead of loans. They’re aware that people in Nepal are cautious about too much dependence on China, so balancing relationships with India and the U.S. remains essential. The newly formed task force for BRI projects contains members from both major parties, which is a smart move to ensure a united front.

When the Nepali officials visit India next, they’ll have a solid plan from this visit to guide their foreign relations.

New Delhi: On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the famous actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor on what would have been his 100th birthday. He called Kapoor the “eternal showman.” In a message on X, Modi wrote, “Today, we celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of legendary Raj Kapoor, a creative filmmaker and actor. His talent touched many hearts across India and the world.” Recently, the Prime Minister met with the Kapoor family, known for many successful actors, to remember Raj Kapoor’s important contributions.

Raj Kapoor was born on this day in 1924 in what was then called undivided India (which is now Pakistan). He came from a family of actors, with his father being the famous Prithviraj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor became one of Hindi cinema’s greatest filmmakers. His movies often showcased the life of ordinary people and promoted working-class values. He also had a strong talent for discovering new music, which helped make his films loved by audiences in India and beyond.