Ganeshotsav too loud for seniors and children

Written By: Admin | Published : September 14, 2013 6:29 PM IST

Ganeshotsav, the festival of joy and blessings always arrives in a grand way. There are many big mandals which organise the 10-day festival with pomp and show. Along with Ganpati, what comes as a free gift is the noise from the loudspeakers installed by various mandals. The noise pollution which is at an all-time high proves to be a testing time for the senior citizens and school kids. Arvind Sule, a senior citizen residing at Rammaruti Road said, I respect the religious sentiments attached to the festival, but loudspeakers are a nightmare for me. For these 10 days I restrict my movement and avoid going outside. I also make sure to close all the windows and doors, as a precaution. Though the intensity of noise decreases, but, it is difficult to sleep at night because it becomes more prominent at night.

Ulhas Karle and his senior citizen group mentioned, We believe that we cannot go against the stream and now-a-days, Ganpati festival has become a mass hysteria. In fact, even if we want to go against the system, nobody supports us. Hence, despite the problems, we try to indulge ourselves in yoga and meditation and try to remain quiet and composed. Another senior citizen Shrikant Khatke said, Loud noise is an issue and whenever I step outside during the festival, I develop anxiety and feel unwell. So, even when I am at home, I use cotton buds and avoid all my appointments and visits during the festival and stay at home. (Lord Ganesha's symbolism and your health: 10 ways they're connected)

Dr Uppal Pradeep Krishanlal, an ENT specialist from Thane said, Noise pollution is a universally known problem.
He added, Blaring noise is hazardous for both, the senior citizens and school children. Noise level has an impact on ears as well as the body. During old age, people are already weak and so is their system. Their ears too become very weak and the noise weakens the ears and nerves and it is because of this that they cannot tolerate much noise.
Because of the loudspeakers, they get a ringing sensation or a buzzing noise which is both irritating and depressing.
He explained, Excessive noise has an impact on the blood pressure which increases because of noise, resulting in to cardiac problems and other issues.
He also said that this is more frequent with the people residing near mandals. Regarding the noise level he said that the level is one lakh times more than the normal sound which is a reason to worry.
He added that school-going children too face this problem. Normal human conversation is 30-40 decibel and the sound of crackers or sound produced during festivals is 80 decibel and at times reaches above 100 and 120 decibels which is very harmful for the kids.
In case the ear drums are ruptured, they can be treated through medicines, but continuous exposure to loud music is like slow poisoning and once the nerves are damaged then it is a permanent problem with no solution. So, senior residents and children must use cotton buds while going out to mandals and strictly avoid sudden noise.