Not Everyone’s Diwali Is Bright — Let’s Change That | Safety Before Celebration | A Diwali Message We All Need to Hear

First of all, wishing you all a very happy Dhanteras.

But at the same time, I want to ask you all — whose Diwali is this for? Is it not the festival that each of us should celebrate in our own culture and tradition with our loved ones?

Mind you, if you have come here for a funny meme or any random post talking about how to multiply your income or spice up your office politics, please don’t read any further. It’s about a serious issue!

Now that you’ve already come this far, let me tell you — how long should people take their lives casually? We celebrate so many festivals around the year, but how many days do we earmark for self-love?

Moreover, I am strongly against cruelty at the workplace that does not always come in the form of direct physical harassment or mental torture. Sadly, we have now come to the dark edge where people have become just straightforward insensitive.

As I already mentioned, the problem is not only harassment at the workplace but also the kind of work environment that people are forced to accept for the sake of running their families, having two meals a day, and making ends meet.

Moving ahead, you’d be stunned to know that people are no longer taking dog bites and snake bites seriously. I don’t know when people who work in the woods or in agricultural fields will start valuing their lives and begin putting on proper safety gear before venturing out to work.

We all know how snakes often bite out of nowhere, especially in the fields, but now, with each green area getting replaced by big buildings and residential apartments, these vipers are also coming into our homes and endangering our lives!

Furthermore, while residents still get an opportunity to prevent the incoming of snakes by making use of antiseptic and snake-repellent liquids and by maintaining cleanliness, the same is not true for agricultural workers.

Now, don’t tell me “money.” Everyone who works must be aware of the safety measures at the workplace and should buy safety gear as the first thing before going out to work.

When Insensitivity Is at Its Peak

In addition to this, the second issue in the list is dog bites. I don’t understand why delivery agents do not clearly state that they won’t go to the top floor or deliver the product unless the customer confirms that they don’t have a dog, or agrees to come downstairs to collect the item, or hands over delivery instructions to the apartment security guard.

There have been numerous reports of delivery agents getting seriously injured when chased by customers’ dogs, and in some devastating cases, they even lost their lives. So, is anybody listening? Any customers or the e-commerce vendors?

Similarly, in the case of electricians and those working atop residential apartments, many technicians don’t bother to even put on safety gear like proper shoes, caps, and railings while moving atop. And, as we all know, even a slight mistake can cost them their lives.

This goes for cable TV operators and every worker who does similar types of work. Obviously, it’s not the customer’s duty to provide them with safety gear, but at the very least, the company for which they work must do so in every possible manner.

Is Anybody Listening

Moreover, let’s not forget another tragic situation — septic tank cleaning. Do you know how many people have lost their lives due to this? The answer is many.

Even though manual scavenging is literally banned, still, so many workers go underground inside septic tanks to clean them. Unfortunately, these tanks often contain methane and other poisonous gases, which lead to sudden respiratory problems in those workers, causing their sudden deaths.

Therefore, it’s of utmost importance to find an alternative way through which these tanks can be cleaned while ensuring maximum safety for these people.

The Last Word

Finally, this Diwali, it’s just a reminder to all that without thanking and saluting these people, your Diwali will be incomplete.

After all, their silent contribution to keeping our surroundings clean livens up our spirit to enjoy the festival with full fervour and gaiety.

Hence, it’s time to salute all these people who directly or indirectly help us bring smiles to our faces.

At the same time, it’s also a reminder to ensure their safety at their workplace. If not with direct help, at least raise your voice to let them know what they need at the workplace to do their work more safely and efficiently.