This problem of fireworks arises year in year out during Halloween, Guy Fawkes Day and Diwali, but no remedy is found to alleviate the suffering of little children, elders and pets.

There should be a strict time limit from 6-9pm imposed on noisy fireworks by local authorities. Anyone found disturbing the peace after 9pm should be prosecuted. There has been a lot of rhetoric but unfortunately little action.

The trouble starts with individuals who indulge in noisy fireworks and rockets lasting late into the night or starting early in the morning.

Everyone is free to enjoy themselves but not at the expenses of others, because then it becomes a public nuisance. It has to be stopped as it creates ill will and annoyance to others.

Diwali is a time for distributing sweets and good will to all, and not about upsetting others and giving communities a bad name and image. We are living in a western society and we should respect their concerns and allay them rather than compound them.

They are not familiar with our traditions and festivals, so their norms are different from ours, that should be understood clearly, if we want to live peacefully with others of different faiths and cultures.

Baldev Sharma

Address supplied