SGPC decides not to shun fireworks

* Important festivals to be celebrated with traditional gusto

Amritsar,Avtar Singh Makkar, president of the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), yesterday said that they would continue with high-altitude fireworks at the Golden Temple on the birth anniversary of Guru Ramdas on October 9 and Diwali and ‘Bandi Chhor’ Diwas on October 23.

Talking to the media after flagging off a fresh consignment of relief material for the flood-hit in Kashmir, Makkar said they had been trying to explore the idea of pollution-free firecrackers or those causing less pollution, but they were yet to find a viable alternative.
He said they had already reduced the duration of fireworks drastically in the recent times to ensure minimum pollution. He said they could not do away with the trend of fireworks on Gurpurbs and Diwali as it was an old tradition.

Last year, the fireworks at the Golden Temple on Diwali took place for only 10-12 minutes. In 2011 and 2012, the SGPC had lit fireworks for 15 minutes. This duration used to be half an hour prior to 2011.

Makkar said the SGPC was not satisfied with the cleanliness around the Golden Temple despite assurances from the authorities concerned. He said the SGPC would take the responsibility in its own hands once it was free from the ongoing relief work in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir.

The SGPC executive committee meeting had taken a decision in this regard on August 23 and the SGPC was to launch a cleanliness drive around the holy shrine on September 1.
We cannot do away with the tradition of holding fireworks display on important occasions such as Gurpurb and Diwali. Old traditions can’t be cast aside. But we have reduced the duration of fireworks substanti-ally to ensure that there is minimum pollution around the Golden Temple.
Avtar Singh Makkar,
SGPC PRESIDENT