This Diwali, the festival of lights turned grim for many families in Madhya Pradesh. Around 300 people, including numerous children, sustained serious eye injuries after playing with homemade “carbide guns”, these devices originally meant for scaring animals in farms. The craze for these alternative fireworks has proved dangerously unsafe.
Calcium carbide reacts violently with water, creating powerful explosions capable of causing permanent damage. Sadly, reports suggest that nearly 30 victims could face lifelong blindness. Alarmed by the scale of injuries, authorities in Bhopal and Gwalior have banned the sale, purchase, and storage of these hazardous devices and initiated legal action against distributors.
The district administration has also announced compensation of ₹5,000 for each victim and is stepping up awareness campaigns to prevent further harm. Officials are urging the public to report any sale or use of such explosive devices.
This tragic episode holds as am important reminder when it comes to safeguarding our health. There are high levels of risks posed by unregulated homemade explosives that goes unnoticed under the pretext of celebrations. There is an urgent need to prioritize safety during festivities and sensitize the people about the harmful impact of such devices.
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