Sheila Dixit, the chief minister of Delhi has asked all the children to say no to fire-crackers this Diwali. This is needed if the country capital wants to have a pollution-free Diwali this year. She has asked that Diwali should be celebrated the old way through lamps, rangoli and sweets.

This year the festival of lights is on November 5. In a statement sent to the people of the city, she said, "Let cracking good times continue without fire-crackers". She further added, "For some years now, we have celebrated clean and pollution free Diwali. Let us, this year too, enjoy Diwali with 'diyas', 'rangoli', sweets and gifts instead of crackers".

Sheila is known for her initiatives taken towards the environment protection. In the same line she has asked all the children to convince not only themselves but also their friends, neighbors and family members to look for ways so that a greener and cleaner Diwali can be celebrated.

Meanwhile, a green rally was organized by the Environmental Club of ICSE Schools of Hyderabad in which close to 600 students took part and some 17 ICSE schools were present. They also asked for the same steps for Diwali.