Diwali - festival of pollution

Yet another Diwali has passed us. As I was driving today morning to office, and I start quite early, I could see the havoc caused by the firecrackers. In addition to the normal Indian street squalor, there was debris of the firecrackers strewn all over the place. I just cannot understand what right do we have to treat our roads and environment with such utter callousness? In what scripture is it mentioned that Diwali is to be celebrated in such a way?

According to the authorities, in Delhi there was more air and noise pollution than last year, as people preferred colorful and noisy firecrackers then ever before. Times of India Bangalore edition, dated 19th Oct, reported more than 25 eye injuries caused by firecrackers and quite a few of them resulting in permanent loss of sight. It is very hard to justify what goes on in the name of festival of lights, even if you are overly religious. It is not as if people don't know the problems of air and noise pollution. There have been numerous campaigns and awareness programs driven by NGOs requesting people to celebrate Diwali as festival of just lights. Even the central and state governments have exhorted Indians not to pollute the environment in the name of Diwali festivals. But, as it always happens in India when it comes to good civic sense, it is just ignored. Self pleasure and celebration always prevail over public good.