Happy Diwali!!!

Having witnessed massive fireworks on New Year's eve on the banks of river Thames in London, on 4th July Independence Day in US, by Han river on Korean harvest festival of Chuseok, and on National Day celebrations in Singapore, I have realized that people of every country and community celebrate their joyous occassions with fireworks.

Study done by IIT Kanpur on causes of pollution in New Delhi, showed that pollution due to fireworks in Diwali was minimal - close to zero percent. May be people who commute to office by their four-wheelers are damaging environment far more than those who who light firecrackers for a few hours in Diwali.

This propaganda of firecrackerless Diwali is misguided activism at best, and selective targeting of our religious festivals at worst.

I hope people enjoy Diwali in ways that they find enjoyable. And if fireworks bring them joy in Diwali then they do that with no feeling of guilt.

Wishing you all a very Happy Diwali!!

Teesta Setalvad figths for Godhra victims!

I was surprised to read a news item in today's ToI by Smita Deshmukh that Teesta Setalvad is fighting for Godhra victims! Piqued, I went on to read the whole stuff. Here's it in a capsule:

According to Teesta Setalvad -
* False evidence has been gathered by the prosecution against the accused
* Application of POTA for Godhra is questionable
* There is no evidence of a terrorist conspiracy in the case (isn't it for the courts to decide?)

Good! My worldview isn't flawed. Teesta Setalvad is indeed fighting for the accused ... as expected.

The article does raise one question though :-
What cumpulsions drive sane and sensible journalists to write misleading articles?
Any expert answers?