C V Sukumaran
Noise – loud and unpleasant sound is always loathsome to most people whether they are in Mumbai, Panjim or elsewhere. During Diwali days, while sleeping, I invariably wear earplugs in a futile attempt to escape the noise. The apex court’s refusal to ban crackers during festivals and prohibit manufacturing them, has given a fillip to the ‘noise-manufacturing’ industry.
There are some facts that speak for noise which one can’t ignore. There are people who sigh for it because noise thrills them. Noise has been around since Big Bang. Its raison d’être has much to do with its becoming useful to people variously. While manufacturing any products, there is noise inevitably. Prior to and during festivals like Diwali, the fireworks factories work overtime. Well, we can quit of noise only at the cost of manufacturing.
As human history reveals, the poorly or unarmed early man’s survival hinged on noise. He used noise to scare wild animals away. Noise is at the beck and call of the newborn baby. She angles for her mother’s attention by crying, often copiously as if she knows only the crying baby gets milk! Higher the decibel, quicker the feed.
There are some noises which, in fact, cause relief that of the fire engines and ambulances. After sending for them, we anxiously await to hear the loud clanging of fire and ambulance bells. Noise is intrinsic in them.
For all the propaganda against noise, people unfortunately remain smitten by it, despite environmentalists branding it an environmental hazard. Take Mumbai. It is the noisiest city in the world, says a survey. Though noise has no soporific effect, once used to it, we have often heard it said that its absence gives some sleepless nights. A sort of addiction. With all its alleged potential for harm, noise is companionable to man. The environmentalists fancy getting rid of it but they can bet their bottom rupee it is impossible.
Our drivers always honk relentlessly to show their annoyance for having to stop at traffic signal. They brook no patience. The incessant honking at the traffic signals makes one wonder, ‘Does noise have the miraculous ability to turn signals green?’
Festivals are celebrations of noise. Noise is blended with them; it is their soul. While experiencing loud Diwali explosions, people may shake in their shoes. But they enjoy it. Diwali sans noise sounds Utopian. During Diwali, light may rule the roost but noise rules the rooster! Light has flings with darkness. Only in darkness’ presence light can show itself off.
Our over-the-hill politicians aren’t lacking in vigour when they loudly express noise in the houses of legislatures. They shout, they scream as they go about the exercise of making laws. Even while discussing law and order situation, they indulge in fisticuffs! Fish and stock markets try to outdo legislatures in producing noise and fail. In markets, they trade commodities; in legislatures abuses and blows.
Thus, for all our aversion to noise we’re helpless; there is nothing we can do but grin and bear it.
