For senior citizens, the risks can be even greater. Gokilam, who is 65 years old and was hospitalised earlier this year after her oxygen levels dropped, says that while Deepavali does not frighten her, it does leave her somewhat on edge. Her only recourse is to remain confined indoors in her second-floor flat, hoping that her neighbours will be considerate enough to refrain from bursting crackers through the day and restrict the celebrations to the government-mandated hours. “At least that way the pollution will ease a little and I will feel more free,” she opines.
In an ideal world, these women say that they would like to see the practice of bursting crackers stopped altogether. That move, they believe, would ease breathing difficulties, spare animals distress, and contribute to a safer environment. But since that is far from reality, they, like thousands of others with respiratory issues, are forced to simply cope.
Coping, in this case, comes at the cost of restraint. And being forced to give up the freedom to step outdoors and celebrate without fear can, in its own way, feel like another form of suffocation. “I hope people realise our difficulty before lighting a cracker this weekend,” Shakeenaa concludes.