Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: A Canadian social media user named Caleb took to X to highlight the clear skies in Aizawl, Mizoram, following the recent Diwali festival. He recorded an Air Quality Index of 56 in the capital city. It was a silent night. The influencer reported that he did not hear a single firecracker or firework in his neighborhood throughout the holiday.
Caleb noted his wife, two children, and two dogs slept through the night without any noise-related disturbances. He told his followers, "If this post makes you angry (or even if it doesn't), know that I wish you and your family clean air and happy lungs wherever you are in the world. We all deserve to breathe easily."
His post ignited a fierce debate online regarding air quality and cultural traditions. Some users praised the quiet celebration, while others pointed to Aizawl's unique geography and different cultural scale compared to major Indian cities. One commenter noted the region does not celebrate the festival as widely as others. That same user also raised alarm over local construction and decreasing tree cover on the hills surrounding the city.
Other participants in the discussion argued that fireworks are not the only pollution drivers. They blamed stubble burning and ongoing construction for poor air quality, citing Bhubaneswar as a place where the AQI held steady at 150 regardless of holiday celebrations. The exchange highlights the growing tension across India as cities fight to manage post-Diwali smog.
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