Peace and quiet is a luxury that few of us can afford

Every year, I look forward to the Ganpati festival with joy, yet I brace myself in quiet dread.

- SRINATH SRIDHARAN

The noise levels are overwhelming. On evenings of visarjan, with the idol-immersion spot just a short distance away, pounding drums, frenzied crowds and blaring speakers almost make it hard to breathe. Even on higher floors and beyond the designated time, behind closed windows and doors, the cacophony is relentless.

After years of travelling across Indian cities, towns and villages, I see a pattern: India thrives on noise, and also suffers for it. Religious celebrations, social festivals, weddings, political rallies, traffic and even local cricket matches all demand loudness. This obsession extends to brands and services. Telecallers selling everything from real estate to insurance do not hesitate to call during Sunday siestas or workday evenings.

In public spaces, the habit persists. People watch Instagram reels and videos at full volume in hospital waiting areas, aeroplanes and trains as if quietude is a social taboo. We have internalized noise as normal.