Diwali Viral Video: The “Diwali Viral Video,” in which a girl can be seen lighting a firecracker in the middle of a highly trafficked road, has generated a massive wave of reactions from people all over the internet. Some people looked at the video and thought it was funny and a nice way to show the youthful energy of the Diwali celebration; however, others found the act to be a lack of care and threatening to the safety of others.
Users on X noted that celebrating in the manner of a festival is done “with delight, not havoc,” and they also implored people that if they were to set off fireworks, it should be done in a place where they are open and safe. One of the users said, “It could have ended really badly–fireworks on the street are dangerous for everyone,” making the point most explicitly. A few users, on the contrary, were coming to the girl’s rescue and saying things like “it is Diwali, and in no other way than by lighting crackers is the culture expressed,” stressing the fact that the video is not showing any kind of harm.
Calls for Awareness and Accountability
People’s en masse worry has, in turn, led to the theme of conversation regarding the implementation of firecracker safety rules in the city. The majority of them mentioned that setting off the fireworks on the streets that are for the public not only causes the stoppage of the traffic but also leads to accidents and air pollution. For example, a road safety advocate has called for stricter monitoring, especially during the hours when the city is very busy and has a festive vibe, while some users have suggested coming up with designated “safe zones” where people can light firecrackers and thus find a middle ground between celebration and safety.
While being on the receiving end of criticism, the video was lauded by some social media users for exemplifying the impromptu spirit of Diwali and thus copied extensively through the use of hashtags such as #DiwaliViralVideo and #FestiveIndia.
