Delhi is choking right now and the air pollution levels are refusing to go down. While air masks have become a common sight on the road, there’s no respite from the deathly smog in the air. Gurpurab falls on 14 November this year and every year, the day sees firecrackers being burst as a mark of celebration, just like Diwali. While many of us sit in horror thinking of what's happening to Delhi’s air, the city’s Gurudwara Committee has come out as the voice of sanity and relief. It has asked Sikhs not to burst crackers this year.

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"We have decided not to burn any firecrackers this year on Gurpurab which is celebrated by the Sikh community like Diwali. The decision of DSGMC will be conveyed to all 700 Singh Sabhas who will spread the message to all Gurdwaras in Delhi and hence the community associated with those Gurdwaras will also become aware of the decision. The idea is to spread awareness about the need to focus on environment-friendly ways to celebrate a festival," DSGMC president Manjeet Singh GK told TOI.

© BCCL

Emphasizing the fact that the committee wasn’t imposing a ban on anyone, Mr Singh said that the committee’s decision, though not a ban, will positively influence the community. "We also plan to conduct awareness through marches led by school children to appeal to people to join the fight against pollution," GK said. The committee will also be handing out masks on the day of Gurupurab.

Respect!