The sound that originates on the surface of the earth creates waves in the air and enters the ear cavity and touches the eardrum. Nature has arranged all living things including humans, reptiles, birds and animals to receive sound through the ears. So the question is, how loud can our ears pick up and what happens to our mental state if there is more noise than we can take in?
It has been thoroughly researched by many scholars/scientists and is still in progress. Noise pollution has become a serious problem not only in India but all over the world. The Government of our country introduced the Noise Pollution Regulation Act on April 24, 2000. Even after 23 years, nothing has been done to prevent noise pollution due to a serious lack of sincerity of the departmental staff and the lack of Government attitude. The PCB is not taking any steps seriously to ban DJ vibration, otherwise we would not have to bear the unbearable burden of noise pollution.
Excessive noise is known to be harmful to humans and other animals. While the melody of sweet instrumental music gives pleasure, loud music increases mental stress. Experts say too much noise has many negative effects on our body viz : stress, heart attack, high blood pressure, hearing loss, sleep disturbance, loss of vision, slurred speech, severe headache, and nervous weakness. In patients, children and elderly people, exposure to excessive noise is very painful and can cause death to them.
Sound is a form of energy that is caused by vibrations, when vibrations are caused by an object affecting nearby air particles and the vibrating air particles impact the particles next to them, thus creating sound waves that spread around. Depending on the intensity of the vibration, the air particles travel a certain distance and gradually become weaker and weaker. We measure the intensity of sound in "decibels" (dB), normally our brain and ear cavity can easily accept 70 decibels of sound and at most it can tolerate up to 85 decibels not for long time. According to Government regulations, no one can use a device that emits sound of more than 65 decibels (now this is only a legal/ statutory precaution.)
For us to hear, the sound wave must be between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. If it is more or less than that, we cannot hear it. There are many types of sound. 1. Infra Sonic (below 20 Hz), 2. Sonic (between 20 and 20 thousand Hz), 3. Ultra sonic (over 20,000 Hz). You'd be surprised to know that a mosquito makes 20 decibels of sound when it passes through your ear. 60 to 65 decibels when we laugh, 40 to 50 decibels in general, 70 decibels when running a vacuum cleaner, 84 decibels from trucks, buses, tractors, cars, jeeps, etc. Car horn produce 100 decibels, airplanes produce 100 to 130 decibels, while stereo sound systems produce more than 130 decibels, including loud speakers, microphones, and other equipment like DJ. Unfortunately DJs are producing deadly sound/vibrations these days, leading to many examples of loss of life.
It is high time, people should raise their voice before administration and persuade the group/ persons/institutions those associated with high vibration DJs to refrain from it.
According to the Government rules, permission is given from the police station to go on a procession by playing the music and that is within the limit as per the direction/guideline of the OHC. The applicant signs the application after complying with all the conditions, but no one obeys the direction of the Orissa High Court. They deviate the standing instruction and increase the vibrational sound from 65 decibels to 130 decibels.
Shouldn't we stop the deadly sound of DJs and play the melodious sweet sounds/ music instrumental songs/music within the restricted decibel? Now there is no restriction on the playing of musical instruments/DJs by the younger generation during idol worship and wedding ceremonies. Today's youths don't like processions without DJs, the administration is silent, the pollution board is in deep sleep, who is to say? Who will listen? Ganpati Baba, Mother Durga, Mother Kali kindly do something if you can.
(The writer is a senior citizen and lives at Sneha Kutir,
Jhanjiri Mangala, Cuttack-753009; M: 9937174097)
