Sam Naiker, News24 User
Human beings are a species of habit. In the case of some people, it is easy to predict what they will do at a precise time of day, week or even month.
When it comes to the demonstration of anger this can also be predicted with clockwork precision.
One such case is on the annual celebration of the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali or Deepavali. As inevitable as the fireworks are at this time of year, so is the inevitability of the targeted anger by those opposed to fireworks.
"The competition fuelled by a war of words begins to rapturous applause. In the blue corner we have the dog lovers and all those opposed to loud sounding fireworks and in the red corner we have those that adamantly defend their constitutional right to celebrate their religion anyway that they please.
"The blue corner throws a nicely-timed jab of eloquently phrased words onto the sweet spot of the red corner, citing animal cruelty.
"The red corner rolls with the punches and responds as quickly to their opponent with a well-placed comment of their own right on the chin of the blue corner, quoting their constitutional right to celebrate their religion.
"By the initial sparing, it is clear that neither corner is willing to give in easily. The fight continues for days with neither corner giving an inch.
"Finally, well after the Diwali festival the match is called a draw. Both corners retreat and vow to be back next year."
Testing the noise levels
So why bring this up now? Is this topic not binding by the unsaid laws of periodic branding and mud slinging? Does this article not belong in a comment section a few months ago during Diwali?
The answer, my fellow reader, is that the basis for this story was set during the festival of lights. Tired of the annual bickering between those for and against loud sounding fireworks I decided to perform a test of my own.
The test was simply to test the level of noise during Diwali and New Year's day and compare the number of complaints from the public through mediums such as the newspaper, online web applications and the news on TV.
The noise levels of loud sounding fireworks during News Year's day by my estimations were between 70% and 80% of that experienced during Diwali.
My method of estimation was a bit amateurish and subjective, but I can confirm that no animals were harmed in my estimation process nor was any constitutional right violated. So I was reasonably happy.
What surprised me was that there were no complaints during this period. It would seem that complaints over fireworks are reserved for Diwali and no other time of the year.
A few mediums, including News24, ran polls and published articles related to the subject but this incited absolutely no response from the common man on the street.
'Where are they now?'
Just for the record, my position on fireworks is that loud sounding fireworks should not be allowed at any time of year but that the rest should be allowed.
Strict laws should be put in place for anyone abusing not only animals but also other human beings. If an animal is killed because of misuse of fireworks, and if this can be proved then this should lead to a life sentence for that person
My question though is, "Where are all the dog lovers now?"
Do they only come out during Diwali. Maybe it is their dogs who are a bit selective over the sounds that they want to hear.
If it sounds like I am making fun of this situation, it is because I am. I find this a bizarre phenomenon in current day South Africa.
Get published on News24 by sending your article, story or column to us
See who has had a say on News24.
Disclaimer: This article was submitted by a News24 user. News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.
- News24
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.