Toronto: A major Indo-Canadian Hindu organisation has reached out to the community to celebrate the festival of Diwali responsibly, avoiding bursting fireworks outside permitted hours and cleaning debris from public spaces.
Let us demonstrate through our actions that we are responsible, considerate and respectful citizens. Our traditions deserve to be celebrated with pride, and our conduct should earn the respect of society. It asked them to familiarise themselves with and follow the pertinent municipal by-laws regarding fireworks, including permitted timings and locations. It requested them to avoid bursting firecrackers beyond permitted hours, particularly late in the evening and at night when families, seniors and children were preparing to rest. It added, “Do not expect municipal workers or someone else to clean up after us. This is the first time that a prominent community group has stepped forward to sound the alert over celebrations at times leaving a negative impression on the larger Canadian society.
In a message post on social media, the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) said, “We must recognise that our individual actions reflect upon our entire community. “Let our celebrations bring happiness without disturbing the peace and comfort of our neighbours,” the public letter from HSS said.
