Results of Interhouse Essay Writing Competition

The Interhouse essay writing competition was held on 29^th October 2013 for Category A grades 7 & 8.  The topic was “How Effective is a Green Diwali”.                                                                                                          

The results are as follows:

First Place: Khushi  C of grade 8 D Mother Teresa

Second Place: Akansha J of grade 8 F C.V.Raman

Third Place: Krish of 7 D Amartya Sen

Following is the essay written by the winner of the essay writing competition Khusi C of grade 8 D Mother Teresa.

It is that wonderful time of the year that festivities are in air and the nip of winter brings with it the smell of mouth-watering delicacies. Diwali is also known as the festival of lights. Diyas (clay lamps) are lit to chase out the darkness of ignorance and bring in the bright light of enlightenment.

Everyone celebrates Diwali but not everyone celebrates Green Diwali. This year celebrate Diwali with a difference keeping in mind the important cause---that is saving our planet. In our zest to celebrate this festival, we have a tendency to go overboard, but just because this festival comes once a year we must not forget our duties and responsibilities.

Green Diwali is very effective as it reduces and sometimes totally kills the ill-effects associated with Diwali. The most harmful effect associated with Diwali is bursting crackers in plenty. Bursting crackers has the following effect on human health:

i)                    The Smoke released aggravates headache, blood pressure and other ailments.

ii)                  Sound produced can cause deafness in some cases

iii)                Crackers also produce a whole lot of toxic substances into the atmosphere such as copper, cadmium, magnesium, lead, zinc and sodium.

iv)                If we are to look at the financial view point it makes us think “Is it really right to spread smoke of millions of rupees into atmosphere for celebrating Diwali”?

On the other hand, Green Diwali is free from such ailments and effects. It also follows the following aspects:

i)                    Diyas are used instead of electric lights as they evoke a spirit of traditionalism and also save electricity.

ii)                  Eco-friendly crackers are used which are made out of recycled paper and produce sound below the decibel limit fixed by the pollution board.

iii)                Recycling of old things is done like donating old clothes and unused things which promotes the feeling of Sharing & Caring.

Let us think---by celebrating Green Diwali how effectively we are saving our planet and our health. So we must pledge ourselves that by taking one step at a time we must start following the aspects of Green Diwali. Not only humans but living organisms will also benefit as well.

So make way for Green Diwali---Stay Healthy---Be Aware and let us all celebrate Green Diwali!