[King_pin09]

Perhaps the day is not too far when foreworks will become extinct altogather. I let my kids (albeit restricted only to fireworks and not crackers) enjoy the experience that we had done unrestrictedly in our childhood days.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by ariesonu

Crackers, perse, NO but I still love to cracks some rounds on the GUN TOY, The paper strip ones, I don't like those Chinese ones with PLASTIC pellets that we get these days.

Reminiscence of younger days as that was the first indicator that Diwali was nearby.
The gun would get jammed after our over ABUSE use & then we would move to bursting those strips between stones or get real hardcore & use hammers from dad's toolbox.
Getting more experimental, we would use heavy duty PLIERS by placing each pellet between teeth of Plier & then bang the plier on the hard surface.
AH, those were the days.

Who remembers them??
Attachment 1926880

Regards-Sonu

Originally Posted by vrprabhu

Actually the 'caps' were called 'Roll Caps' (used in toy guns) and 'Dot Caps' for which one had to use a contraption with a nut & bolt and two washers in between. Load the dot caps within the washers, tighten the bolt on the nut and hurl it - BANG!

Even more adventurous way to burst roll caps was to scrape the strip over a rough surface so as to ignite the chemical using friction - and land up with burnt finger ends!!

Ah, yes indeed... caps! small rolls in little cardboard containers. Very much a part of my British childhood, along with the toy guns into which they were loaded. And yes, many were exploded by just hitting with a stone, or scraping the stone along the strip.

I will drape some LED lights around the front of the house. Amazing that these can now be powered by small batteries or solar boxes, so do not even have to be near a socket.

I've always had a warm feeling for Diwali. It is something that this old atheist-with-Hindu-leanings can easily celebrate in the name of letting there be light, in the world and in all our lives.

[saisree]

Diwali is all about crackers and fireworks. One day in a year and I enjoy it to the core. This is one aspect of this festival that makes us all to wait for one whole year.

Though I’m concerned about the pollution, I go by this meme

[Sheel]

I didn't burn crackers for ~20 years. My daughter wants to, the harmless ones and I won't deny her.

I am sure, the money on crackers can be spent somewhere else, but, sometimes, you can't put practicality everywhere.

I am sure, as time passes by, she will become aware of the cracker's malice and she would do as she pleases.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by saisree

Though I’m concerned about the pollution, I go by this meme

Which amounts to... things are bad, let's make them worse.

Disclosure: Most of my comments on this thread are negative, but I have admitted before, and will again now, that I will probably enjoy watching the show. Most of us would have to admit liking fireworks.

[for_cars1]

Anyway, modern kids don't seem to have even an iota of interest in crackers. All are after gadgets.
The sparklers that I bought last year are still lying unused in some corner No takers absolutely.

[asingh1977]

Will miss the smell of grey powder exploding. The ban seems like an over—kill.

[adi.mariner]

Crackers are an integral part of Diwali along with Lights, Sweets and Gifts. It just wouldn't be Diwali if there are no crackers. I surely plan to burst them along with my kids.

[bluevolt]

In Delhi/NCR, crackers are not available easily (at least in my area). There is only 1 shop around selling green crackers. Under green crackers they have the option of sparkles, fountain, and sky shots. Prices are on the higher side - Rs.100 for a pack of sparkles.

Bought a few packs of sparkles for this Diwali.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by for_cars1

The sparklers that I bought last year are still lying unused in some corner No takers absolutely.

Yes, similar situation at our home, have a few crackers left over from last year, decided not to buy any this year.

The school curriculum includes environmental studies that discourages use of crackers and it seems to have made a huge impact on children who just don't want to be anywhere near crackers.

I'm all for going green, but not buying even a single box of sparklers & flower pots feels rather odd after all these years. Looks like it's going to be only lamps/diyas for symbolism.

[for_cars1]

Originally Posted by NPV

The school curriculum includes environmental studies that discourages use of crackers and it seems to have made a huge impact on children who just don't want to be anywhere near crackers.

Yes, I've received 'gyan' that crackers are bad for the environment, adds to global warming and its like burning money and so on. The curriculum also includes safety hazard awareness, sensitivity about lighting crackers near animals and other people. It definitely has made a huge impact on young minds. Quite different from the older gen mindset where we use to look forward to Diwali every year as kids, just to get our hands on crackers.
I will still light some minimal fireworks. Old habits, will need to wean out of them gradually.

On the same lines, road safety and road rules must be a mandatory subject every year from std 1 to X. If we want a safety conscious and rules abiding society, we need to catch them young.

[Gansan]

Diwali won't be complete without fireworks in TN. Even the oldest members in the family will light at least a couple of sparklers, it is a custom. Bought just for Rs 1000 today from a direct factory outlet, it just filled a carry bag! Remembered buying a sackful for the same amount of money in the not too distant past!

[Hayek]

Certainly - in fact already set off the first lot. Staying away from noisy bombs - but Diwali without flower pots and zameen chakkars does not work.

[Aditya_Bhp]

Last burnt crackers 4 years back. Never touched it afterwards.

I am happy that these dangerous and harmful substances are finally on a decline. They are one of the major industries using children as labourers. These children should be going to school and not to be employed in such a dangerous industry. These are literally tiny bombs. They are transported and stored in an unregulated way. Often the shops are in crowded markets. Any mistake here can prove to be costly.

Today I have not heard a single cracker. Its all peaceful and calm. India should be a role model and do a blanket ban on crackers. Its a shame we are promoting the cracker industry and at the same time advocating Climate Change prevention strategies at global forums

[Ragavsr]

Originally Posted by Aditya_Bhp

I am happy that these dangerous and harmful substances are finally on a decline. They are one of the major industries using children as labourers. These children should be going to school and not to be employed in such a dangerous industry. These are literally tiny bombs. They are transported and stored in an unregulated way. Often the shops are in crowded markets. Any mistake here can prove to be costly.

Today I have not heard a single cracker. Its all peaceful and calm. India should be a role model and do a blanket ban on crackers. Its a shame we are promoting the cracker industry and at the same time advocating Climate Change prevention strategies at global forums

The child labour story is at least a generation old and does not exist as of 2019.

Bursting crackers is a personal wish. You have have the right to impringe on others right to burst crackers.