The city is in celebration mode as Diwali greetings fall on us like confetti. Yet, like all celebratory occasions, all the revelry must be tempered with responsibility. For some time now there have been suggestions that it is time for the government to start thinking about designating certain spots in the city as ‘firecracker zones’. This means that people celebrating the festival with crackers are allowed to burst crackers only in those stipulated zones at certain times, and on designated days.

This would be a step not in curbing fun and freedom but simply ensuring a safer Diwali. Several times, Diwali revelers throw crackers directly on to the path of vehicles or even those simply walking on the road. Their intention is not to harm drivers, commuters or pedestrians but unfortunately, accidents can occur as we have seen.