Volunteers of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Smt. Suma Puthalat and Shri. Balakrishna, met the Ernakulam Dsitrict Collector Mr. K. Muhammad Y. Sarifullah and submitted a memorandum requesting the administration to take concrete steps to stop the malpractices taking place at public places like tourist locations, parks, etc. in name of New Year Celebrations.
In the name of New Year Celebration, sale of alcoholic beverages is on the rise on 31st December. According to a statistical report, on a single day on 31st December 2010, 32 Crore Rupees of Indian Made Foreign Liquor was sold. All the more shocking is the fact that 85% of those involved in road accidents on the night of December 31st, are youth. Also, incidents of eve-teasing and assault on women are on the rise on this day. This is a great menace to the society and therefore affects the Nation as a whole.
In addition, a wrong practice to burst firecrackers during festivals, celebrations, weddings etc. is in vogue in India since last few years. The firecrackers not only increase the pollution, but also cause many harmful effects such as igniting fires in firecracker industries and shops, burns to children while bursting firecrackers etc. It also causes air-pollution on a large scale, adversely affecting the environment. The Supreme Court had imposed a ban on the sale of firecrackers in Delhi and NCR area for few days during Diwali. Similarly, many State Governments had placed restrictions on bursting firecrackers during Diwali. Firecrackers are also burst from 25th December to 31st December on the occasion of Christmas and New Year Day which will again contribute to rise in air pollution and other harmful effects.
In order to stop malpractices and prevent untoward incidents taking place in the name of New Year Celebration, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has requested the Ernakulam District Collector to take steps to stop this and also impose ban on use of firecrackers during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Also He has assured that he would take steps for it.