How do I convince my colleagues, relatives, friends and fellow folks in society to not excessively spend their hard earned money on crackers & other consumable things (like too much of sweets, dry-fruits, etc) during the festival of Diwali?

I would like to tell you a short story that my mother told me when I asked her about something. Once upon a time, there was a town which had no blooming market. It had many car showrooms, hotels, shopping complexes, dance clubs and what not. Yet, it was a very dull place

I think. Probably you are right. That person should not spent too much money on useless crackers etc. rather they should spend money on some good things like feeding orphan children etc. on such festival occasion. However, there is other side of coin too. If a person is materialistic / shopping enthusiastic and if you win (i.e. you are able to convince him) even then he will spend money on some other day. I mean if someone has extra money or someone is eager to buy something finally he will spend money so why not on Diwali occasion. Buy & Selling is the market cycle on which human society/civilization depends and runs. We can not change it.

Went through all the answers .Festivals are to be celebrated -now first thing crackers your data can't do anything good as they are very incovinient -instead try some sort of easy and visual thing like street play(can perform in home or office )mono acting,slide show ,quiz or even try to convince by gossiping  .Again in all these try to pass on harms like pollution but in simple way -so touch hearts of all. second -eatables here don't try anything let them enjoy with these after all they earn to enjoy.

You cannot convince them, although you are correct. They will blame you to be too modern or too gullible. In India, it does not matter how correct your point is, what matters is that is it acceptable to others. At least for crackers if you put up some points in front of them , they may agree - Causes pollution Causes garbage Risk of burns Money wastage Kills many organisms Is not prescribed by our religion to use crackers

By spreading awareness amongs people around u...how the environment will affects by crackers? How the earth bilogical systm will disturb? About pollutants from crackers...sound pollutn nd etc. Not much bt some of the people around u is really understand whatever is gong on for our future.