Diwali is a festival of lights, family gatherings, childhood excitement and traditions passed down through generations. Yet, every year, its celebrations increasingly find themselves at the centre of a familiar debate: how much of the festive experience should society give up in the name of environmental protection?

This year, the Supreme Court's decision to permit certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for two days, November 7 and 8, has brought that conversation back into focus. The court has allowed their use between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm on both days, subject to strict conditions. The complete ban is scheduled to return from November 9. Fireworks are also prohibited within 300 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, old-age homes, educational institutions and notified silence zones. Only approved green crackers certified by CSIR-NEERI and PESO are permitted.

The decision attempts to find a middle ground between public health concerns and the social and emotional significance of Diwali. But perhaps the bigger question is not simply whether crackers should be permitted or prohibited. It is whether we have begun to mistake restrictions for environmental responsibility.

Let Children Celebrate. Let Adults Be Responsible.

For many children, Diwali is not just another holiday. It is the excitement of choosing crackers, celebrating with friends, watching the night sky light up and participating in traditions they may remember for years. Completely removing these experiences from the conversation risks turning environmental awareness into something children associate with denial rather than understanding.

This does not mean celebrations should be unrestricted. Safety, moderation, supervision and consideration for people with health concerns must remain non-negotiable. Certified products should be used where permitted, and local regulations must be respected.

But the responsibility of creating a more sustainable festival should not rest entirely on restricting what children can enjoy. Adults have a much larger opportunity to demonstrate what responsible celebration actually looks like.

Sustainability Cannot Be a Two-Day Conversation

Air pollution is not a problem that begins with Diwali and disappears when the celebrations end. It is influenced by several sources, including transport emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, waste burning and other everyday activities.

Yet, much of the public conversation around sustainability becomes particularly intense during festivals. We debate firecrackers, impose restrictions and expect a seasonal intervention to address an environmental problem that requires attention throughout the year.

Consider our everyday choices. How often do we choose public transport instead of taking our personal vehicles? Can families travelling to celebrations share a ride? Can offices encourage employees to use buses, metro services or other shared transport? Can we reduce unnecessary electricity consumption, avoid excessive packaging and manage festive waste responsibly?

These may appear to be small decisions, but they represent something more substantial: a willingness to take responsibility beyond the occasions when environmental concerns dominate the headlines.

Choosing public transport will not cancel out the pollution caused by firecrackers, and it should not be presented as a justification for excessive bursting. However, reducing unnecessary private vehicle usage can help address transport-related emissions throughout the year. Both issues deserve attention in their own right.

From Controlling Celebrations to Building Awareness

Regulations have a role in protecting public health. Restrictions around hospitals, educational institutions and vulnerable communities are important. Enforcement against illegal and unauthorised products is equally necessary.

However, regulation alone cannot create an environmentally conscious society. If people follow sustainable practices only because they fear penalties, the change may remain temporary. Awareness, participation and individual accountability are what make responsible behaviour sustainable.

Instead of making children feel that celebrating Diwali is inherently irresponsible, families can use the occasion to teach them about moderation, safety, pollution and consideration for others. Adults can lead by example by choosing shared transport, avoiding unnecessary consumption, cleaning up after celebrations and making more conscious everyday decisions.

The Supreme Court has also called for a broader change in public perception, alongside regulatory measures. That is an important reminder that environmental protection cannot be achieved through enforcement alone.

The Festival We Want to Pass On

A sustainable Diwali should not be measured solely by how many restrictions are imposed or how many crackers are avoided. It should also be measured by the habits we develop, the choices we make and the values we pass on to the next generation.

Children should be allowed to experience the joy of festivals within reasonable safety and environmental boundaries. Adults, meanwhile, must recognise that their responsibility does not end with asking others to change their behaviour.

We cannot celebrate sustainability for two days and forget about it for the remaining 363.

Perhaps the real spirit of a greener Diwali lies in finding that balance: preserving the joy of celebration while becoming more conscious citizens. Because the change we expect from society must first find a place in our own lives.

The Westin Chennai Velachery has appointed Avanthika Ramamurthy as Marketing Communications Manager, strengthening its marketing and communications leadership as the hotel continues to build its brand presence in Chennai.

In her new role, Ramamurthy will lead the hotel's marketing communications strategy, overseeing brand positioning, media engagement, digital communications and integrated campaigns. Her responsibilities will include strengthening the hotel's visibility and communicating its guest experiences across relevant platforms.

Ramamurthy brings more than 10 years of experience across marketing, public relations, advertising, digital media and creative communications. Her professional background spans the hospitality, food and beverage, and retail sectors, with experience working in India and Australia.

During her career, she has worked with Accor and held other marketing and communications leadership positions. Her experience includes strategic planning, brand development, creative storytelling and integrated marketing initiatives, giving her exposure to varied communication environments and consumer-facing industries.

Commenting on the appointment, Deepraj Mukherjee, General Manager, The Westin Chennai Velachery, said, "We are delighted to welcome Avanthika to our leadership team. Her extensive experience in marketing communications, coupled with her creative vision and strategic approach, will be instrumental in strengthening our brand presence and deepening our engagement with guests and the wider community. We look forward to her contributions as we continue to create meaningful and memorable experiences for our guests."

In her new position, Ramamurthy will focus on enhancing the hotel's brand visibility, building audience engagement and communicating its distinctive guest experiences. Her appointment adds to the hotel's leadership team as it continues to engage with guests, media and the wider Chennai market.

Infinity Experiences has announced two key leadership appointments, naming Prashanth Kumar as Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Apoorav Pawar as Head of Brand, Portfolio & Growth.

The appointments bring together experience across hospitality operations, loyalty and membership programmes, premium financial products, portfolio strategy and brand development as the company works to expand its curated collection and membership proposition for discerning travellers.

Prashanth Kumar Appointed Co-Founder and COO

With more than 25 years of global hospitality experience, Prashanth Kumar joins Infinity Experiences with a background spanning hotel operations, brand development and loyalty programmes.

He began his career at The Brown Palace in Denver before taking up leadership roles at Novotel Hyderabad, Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad and ibis Gurgaon. During his time with ibis Gurgaon, he contributed to developing the brand standard for India.

Kumar subsequently built Sobha's hospitality vertical in Dubai and spent approximately 11 years in senior leadership roles at Accor Plus. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer at TLC DigiTech Pvt Ltd, overseeing an operation of around 750 employees across India, Kenya and Sri Lanka.

His professional experience spans several international markets, including India, the United States, New Zealand, Switzerland and Dubai. He has also undertaken hospitality management and leadership programmes at the Glion Institute of Higher Education and Cornell University.

At Infinity Experiences, Kumar will lead operations, with responsibilities covering expansion into new geographies and categories, international partnerships and delivery of the company's Infinity Membership Promise. His experience in hospitality operations and membership programmes is expected to support the company's efforts to maintain consistent standards across its certified experiences.

Apoorav Pawar to Lead Brand, Portfolio & Growth

Apoorav Pawar joins Infinity Experiences from American Express India, where he worked across premium credit card products and lending. During his tenure, he led the Platinum Reserve and Platinum Travel products, along with EMI and other card offerings, gaining experience in product strategy, portfolio development and customer engagement.

Before American Express, Pawar held positions at RBL Bank, Indus Towers Limited and DishTV, building experience across portfolio management, business strategy and new product development.

He holds an MBA from IIM Indore and a bachelor's degree in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce.

In his new role, Pawar will lead the company's brand, portfolio and growth strategy, focusing on the selection, positioning and presentation of its curated collection. His responsibilities will also include membership growth and strategies to attract, engage, activate and retain members and partners.

His background in premium product development and portfolio management is expected to contribute to the development of Infinity Experiences' proposition for a global audience.

Building a Curated Membership Proposition

The two appointments bring together complementary capabilities as Infinity Experiences develops its collection of certified hotels and experiences. While Kumar will focus on operational delivery, expansion and partnerships, Pawar will lead the brand and portfolio strategy alongside membership growth.

The leadership additions mark a step in the company's efforts to build its international presence and establish a distinctive proposition for travellers seeking curated hospitality experiences