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“The notified days where relaxation is permitted include Ganesh festival (three days), Navratri (two days), Christmas, New Year’s eve, Diwali (two days), Id-e-Milad, Shiv Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti and three other days as decided by the government following demand by local people. Accordingly, relaxation would be allowed during three Navratri nights in Mumbai.”
People got to burst their fireworks little later into the night and lasses danced a while longer during Navaratri. Midnight Mass went back to being…errr…less noisy than your average sutalee bomb in Diwali.
But among all the brouhaha of equity in doling out the easing of the loudspeaker ban, an important fact was completely missed. The 15-day reprieve happens to be the noisiest 15 days in a year. By exempting those days, we effectively are left with a ineffective loudspeaker ban that only results in needless harassment. If I am reading this correctly, it is perfectly alright and also permissible if a majority of us want to make noise but you were be severely dealt with if you are the only ones making the noise. Of course, ten thousand Ganpati & Durga Puja pandals, couple of hundred Navaratri venues, several thousand firecracker-crazy neighborhoods during Diwali, and of course, a billion Midnight Mass(es?) create much more noise than an average crazy teenage party in an intolerant neighborhood. Pray, tell me why does the law have to be stupid to be acceptable to all?
Why the sudden thoughts on law regard noise pollution? Well, I, along with my roommate go to court today to fight our unfair “noise violation and disorderly conduct” citation. Can I cite that we were partying on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi and hence should be excused according to Indian law? Nah! Metallica doesn’t play devotional music. Pray that I don’t have to pay the hefty fine of $370 otherwise a PayPal donation button might make its debut on this blog.
by Patrix | on Thursday, October 20th, 2005 at 12:00 am | 
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October 20th, 2005 at 9:17 am reply
Me thinks it’s a good week to go to court. The hubby returned yesterday victorious after pleading a speeding ticket of $250! His arguement? “I plead for the court’s forgiveness” He did say he put on his most sorry-n-pathetic-looking face forward! LOL!
Go! May the force be with you! :)
October 20th, 2005 at 9:38 am reply
It’s a 50-50 situation according to me … You gotta celebrate your festivals … though definitely not at the expense of others … a double edged sword, shall we say.
October 20th, 2005 at 11:19 am reply
talking about noise……coming back from india thats the one thing i miss in miami…….its too darn quiet here……
October 20th, 2005 at 12:01 pm reply
Trust me, there have been lotsa times when the louspeaker is blaring in out area, some local temple festival, mariamman festival etc etc. Atleast other than the 15days, we would have some peace. And yes, in a weird sorta way, I miss the noises of india.
PS - From thu to sat, the party curfew in my area is 1am. Its a boon if I am partying and a curse if am sleeping or rather trying to:)
October 25th, 2005 at 5:12 pm reply
Patrix,
I have to agree with Gabby. Have to have fun but not at the expense of others :) btw how did the court date go ? Did the force guide you ?