Swara Bhasker is currently in Delhi and welcomes the decision of ban on firecrackers in the city and many other states in India. “In Delhi, the quality of air is poor and pollution is bad. Moreover, Coronavirus is still very much a reality so, frankly it’s good that the state government has banned fire crackers. It is a necessary step. Other states especially in North India should also do the same. As citizens, we can find other ways of celebrating, like we can light more diyas this year,” she says.

Some states have followed in the footsteps of Delhi, and have banned firecrackers this Diwali, including West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha and Rajasthan. Karnataka has allowed green crackers while Punjab and Haryana have allowed bursting crackers between 8 and 10pm.

On the other hand, the Maharashtra government advised people to celebrate a firecracker-free Diwali because of pollution woes and Covid-19. They banned bursting of firecrackers in public and private places in Mumbai except on the day of Diwali. Talking about the same, Bhasker says, “I think given the context of the pandemic in Maharashtra, we must all refrain from burning fire crackers. Frankly, anyone bursting crackers this year is doing something very irresponsible and is doing a great disservice to society.”

The actor admits that she has no love lost for crackers, and her Diwali celebrations this year will be low-key. “I don’t like loud crackers. Symbolically, as it’s Diwali, I would light some phuljhadis and anaars but obviously, this year it’s only going to be diyas, rangoli and card games. I’m really happy to be in Delhi with my family this year and will be celebrating with them,” she signs off.