The Indian capital is bracing for worsening air quality as millions prepare to celebrate the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali. Several states have imposed strict regulations on the use of firecrackers during the festivities, but traditions are hard to break.
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00:00Stocking up ahead of a big celebration.
00:06Millions of Indians here and around the world will celebrate Diwali today.
00:11Since childhood we have been celebrating Diwali and it's all about being together and of course the decorations.
00:18The way to celebrate? Lights and firecrackers.
00:23But the novelty comes at a cost. The smoke exacerbating an already severe air pollution problem.
00:30To combat the problem, the Delhi government has banned the sale of all firecrackers for the rest of the year.
00:36It is allowing the use of green firecrackers for two hours tonight, which supposedly produce 30% less particulate matter.
00:46Green crackers are more expensive than normal crackers by about 25%.
00:51But they are less harmful so we prefer people to buy and burst green.
00:57Some believe they're a responsible way to celebrate.
01:00Even I'm telling my brother let's not buy too much, let's buy only the green crackers and let's buy as minimum as possible.
01:07But environmentalists say they're a scam.
01:09So this is really strange that you are willing to say that okay so I'll give less poison to my child, less toxicity with less crackers or green crackers.
01:19Despite the rules, you can still easily buy green crackers here in Delhi.
01:24Because the ban only came in at the start of last month, a lot of what is now technically contraband had already been bought.
01:31And vendors are openly selling it.
01:33And those who use them say Diwali shouldn't be demonised.
01:38This is for one day. We celebrate Diwali for one day only.