Letter.

Letter Publishedin Gulf News UAE on 17Feb 18   Crackdown on cracker factories

In recent months, I have witnessed many fire accidents in major cities in India. In my opinion, the government should shut down the firecracker factories and find other alternatives to provide jobs for those people who work in such establishments. Many factories are employing children and most of them are from underprivileged sections of society. Hence, they are dependent on employment. The government should abolish such institutions and make sure that such children go to schools and manage to make a future for them. India is a vast country with many languages, religions and different festivals celebrated throughout the year. Diwali is the one main festivals celebrated with crackers. Even though this festival is important for me, I am of the opinion that children should be protected and cracker factory accidents should be averted. On one hand, crackers have been used by millions of Indians on the festival of Diwali, but on the other days, safety should be maintained. Children should not waste their young days working instead of studying. Will the Indian government look into this?

From Mr K Ragavan

Bengaluru