By Twesh Mishra:
The Indian festival of lights is here and houses have lit up with customary dias and candles. The echoes of a distant fire cracker are ringing in every Indians ears.
Diwali has finally arrived. As a ritual or so it seems, the festival has habitually been marred by jam packed trains and virtually no legitimate means of commuting across the country. None wish to miss this opportunity to reunite with their family. Families who do not celebrate this festival tend to ensure that they mark their presence among families who do. The festival of lights is a much awaited entity post the Dushera break in the merry month of November.
Deepawali celebrations vary as per the socio-economic conditions. A certain strata opt to indulge in larger than life celebrations and prefer to get ‘sloshed’ on Diwali but this means of merriment is adopted by them in every festive occasion. Corporates are obliged to attend their office parties and the family oriented ones are on the lookout for an opportunity to rush back to their households. Outstation students lucky enough to reach their hometowns are busy carrying out house chores and preparing for the puja that is the essence of the festival.
The young are ingrained with the teachings of the Ramayan and are watched over the elderly as they reminisce days of their youth when they could have more actively participated. The paucity of domestic helps grips the city and those who stay back are garnered with perks and allowances.
There has much campaigning pertaining to the use of crackers as a means of symbolizing Diwali. Newspaper reports of the following days report higher pollution levels and an estimate of the amount of money spent in the Diwali celebrations across the country.
We at Youth ki Awaaz request all to indulge in a merry and joyous and safe Deepawali.