Indian festivals: Ethos and health impact

Extract:
"Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance, of light over darkness and of hope over depression and despair...

Decoration with lights and bursting of crackers are salient features of the festival. However, excessive use of crackers has been a matter of concern. Firecrackers increase the concentrations of cobalt, nickel, chromium and cadmium in air. [2] Studies have also shown that there has been an increase in the particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and NO in air well beyond the safety ranges prescribed in the National Ambient Air Quality Standard [2],[3] The pollution induces susceptible individuals to develop irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract and episodes of cough and wheezing. These episodes need to be prevented by minimizing exposure, introducing prophylactic therapy or enhancing doses of prophylactic medications. Besides, burns and a variety of ocular injuries have been reported and are a matter of concern. [4],[5],[6] Hospitals remain on guard to attend patients with burns and other injuries. Restrictions have been put on bursting crackers. Initiatives like 'noiseless' Diwali are also gaining ground..."

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Yeolekar ME, Bavdekar SB. Indian festivals: Ethos and health impact. J Postgrad Med 2007;53:219-20 ...

See also:

• Businesses Accommodating Religious Festivals
• Celebrating Diwali the Telugu way Round-the-world

Ethical Fashion Re-visited ~~ The Drapers Interview: Safia Minney

How ethical is your fashion?
By Madeleine Holt, BBC News

The dilemma of ethical clothing at Primark
As Primark sacks three of its suppliers, is saying 'it's a complex issue' still a defence for our addiction to cheap clothes?... More

The People Tree founder recognises that ethical fashion must have trend credentials as well as principles to truly win over UK shoppers, and with its design-led collections she is determined that her brand will lead the way. Continue reading the The Drapers Interview

Other leads:

• Dissolving clothes @ ETHICAL FASHION ++ Ethical, Organic, Sustainable
• Ethical Fashion – The Devil Does Not Wear Primark
• 5 ethical alternatives to Primark
• The Ethical Fashion Good News Stories

Gay sex: ‘Use science, not religion to justify ban’

Expressindia » Story

New Delhi, October 15: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Centre for relying on religious texts to justify ban on gay sex and asked it to come up with scientific reports to justify it.
The court's observation came while hearing a PIL filed by gay activists seeking to decriminalise gay sex among consenting adults.
Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, appearing for the Centre, cited an article which contained quotes from religious texts to justify the ban.
Not satisfied with the government contention, the Bench, also comprising Justice S Muralidhar, asked the government to show scientific proof that gay sex is harmful to society.
"This is just one-sided version of a religious body which cannot be relied upon. This is part of religious doctrine. Show us some scientific report which says that gay sex should be criminalised," a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice A P Shah said.
Earlier, the Centre had justified the criminal provision against homosexual acts and had said that it is required to curb the spread of HIV infection.
It had further said that homosexual behaviour is a reflection of a perverse mind and it could not be allowed in the society.
The petitioner, Naz Foundation, an NGO, had said that Section 377 which criminalises homosexual acts is unconstitutional and it should be amended to allow gay sex among consenting adults.

Muslim Holiday Recognized by America's Favorite Building

Washington Post, United States

For the second year, the Empire State Building will shine its world-famous tower lights in green on Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1, 2008 for its annual celebration of Eid-al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-breaking, which marks the end of Ramadan.The lighting for Eid is an annual event in the same tradition of the Empire State Buildings yearly lightings for Christmas and Hanukah. The Empire State Buildings tower lights are world renowned for celebrating different nationalities, holidays, parades, and events of importance to the world.

• Muslim Holiday Recognized by America's Favorite Building Washington Post, United States
• The Empire State Building shines green for Muslim Holiday Eid Antara, Indonesia
• Happy Eid! Today's a day of feasting and festivity worldwide Budget Travel, NY

Race divide fears over first Hindu state school

Tim Ross, Education Correspondent, Evening Standard. 01.09.08
England's first Hindu state school opens its doors to pupils this month amid fears that it will fuel racial segregation. continue reading

See also on the same shelf:

• Hindu state school opens- Uk to teach !! Black is bad karma


• BARNET: UK's first Hindu school opens


• Opening of first Hindu state school sparks fears it will fuel ...Daily Mail, UK - 1 Sep 2008


• Hindu state school beginning work - BBC NEWS / EDUCATION:
  FAITH SCHOOLS in UK
  > 6,850 out of a total of 21,000 schools, large majority either Church of England or Roman Catholic
  > 37 Jewish, 7 Muslim, 2 Sikh, 1 Greek Orthodox, 1 Seventh Day Adventist
  > 1.7 million pupils
  > 21% of faith school secondary pupils from ethnic minorities - 17% in non faith schools