It wouldn't be absolutely wrong to say that in India, there is noise everywhere. And yes, I use the word “noise” and not sound. In India, if you want to show your devotion towards god, it just cannot happen without woofers, mikes, drums, and other instruments the names of which I don’t even know in English. Of course, if you idolize a minister you have to go around chanting (read shouting) his name on the streets in full blown procession. And obviously, what is an Indian marriage without the high decibel bands. After all they only come once in a long time, how can you not blow off other people’s ear drums? It won’t be called a celebration else. What if Indian festivals, on an average, come at least once every year? We have to ostentatiously show our happiness with celebrations, shows and processions. And they are always incomplete without loud noises which are a sad excuse for music. The speakers gradually go from playing songs on the god to playing every cheesy item song in existence. And did you know, in India, if the signal’s red or if there is a traffic jam; giving a screeching horn will make the other cars float in the air giving you a clean passage. At least I don’t have any other reasonable explanation of the constant “honk-a-thon” on the roads. Honking is as useful in such circumstances as Narendra Modi is to the Muslim community. And as far as over taking or asking other cars to move, have patience. You’ll be surprised but that’s what major countries outside India do. Else lights will do just fine.
Now there are some other reasons behind the 'witticisms' I’ve listed above. Like Indians don’t know that in other countries, the honking is minimal! If you honk unnecessarily, people will stare at you as if you are an escaped convict. During festivals, the religious fanaticism plays it role. If the police are stopping a temple procession or Hindu wedding, they are biased towards Muslim and you aren’t receiving your rights! (Here, I would like to add that according to the constitution, a right is a right just till as far as it doesn’t become nuisance for others.) If you a stop a Muslim mosque loudspeaker or speech, you absolutely hate them and favor the Hindus. After the birth of Dolly Bindra, I believe this is the next most unfortunate thing.
Now, coming back to the title, in India, according to me, two types of people reside. 1, who are dumb to celebrate every little occasion and ritual with the loudest noise possible; And the dumber, who criticize, abuse, etc these very people, and then fantastically go ahead and do the same when there’s celebration at their own houses.
Did you know that decibel, at which noise becomes physically painful, is 80db. In Delhi the noise quantum (the voice pitch from the loudest area) is 80. In Mumbai its 85, Kolkata its 87, and Chennai- 89, etc. Noise pollution has many adverse effects like decreasing efficiency, abortions, shrinking concentration, temporary or partial deafness, etc. It also affects the plants, animals, and buildings.
I would say that as I’ve mentioned before, Indians should quit being the dumb and the dumber people and stop the unnecessary noise pollution. Remember, it always starts at a personal level. You know how badly it irks you when there is a loud screeching noise being played at the middle of the night or during your exam preparations. When you do the same during marriages, celebrations, etc; YOU become the horrible one irritating others. And then you are the one receiving all the honourable abuses. Don’t use what you abuse.
