This Diwali Light up some Otherwise Bleak Lives

"This Diwali Let us brighten some Otherwise Bleak Lives"

Deepavali is round the corner. Hardly 2 days. Just like you I am super excited. Diwali is synonymous with joy, happiness, light, festivity, great food and my list is quite endless. But then I am little concerned about a few things. Not everything and everyone is that happy.

I thought endlessly for like two days to figure out how I can make Diwali a happy festival for all of us. After an intense mental workout I guess I am ready to share with you the "Elixir" of Real Happiness.

1. This Diwali when you enter the cleanliness spree, take some time out and separate the clothes that you have not worn in the past few months. There is a high probability that you might not even wear them again. These clothes can continue to hang in your cupboard but then you can take them and give them away to the kids of the maid who works in your home, slums, kids you see on the street picking up plastics or anyone whom you see is in need of clothes. Winters are coming, this little help will surely comfort them.

2. However I urge , plead and beg I know you all will buy crackers. But do me a favor, buy less this time. All I am saying is, it is written nowhere that Deepawali is a festival of crackers. It is a festival of light. Crackers will pollute the gas you are breathing so it's your own loss.

But I have another grave concern.

I have a few friends who stay outside my home. They are my four legged loyal friends. Diwali is one time of the year when they are the most uncomfortable. The chilling weather and to top it all, crackers. Animals are highly sensitive to sound. So the "Boom" that you hear while bursting the crackers is like "BOOOOOOOMMMMM" for them. Some die of heart attack others get violent and sometimes deaf. Should our entertainment come at the expense of poor innocent lives? Don't you think that is very harsh? I don't think Lord Ram would agree to this kind of torture.

And yes dare anyone try and tie a cracker to the tail of any animal. What kind of cheap , insensitive, cruel and idiotic joke is that? Trust me if I catch anyone doing that I will not think once and do the same to that person. Yes this is something that everyone should vehemently oppose. We are humans, high time we start behaving like humans. People who live near Zoo or any animal center please I request do not make Diwali a plight for caged animals. They are already sacrificing their freedom for our entertainment.

3. So it is Diwali time. Lots of sweets, delicacies and savory dishes might be awaiting you. Well why not cook a little more quantity than required and distribute it among those who rarely get a chance to relish such tastes. My plan is simple. On the night of Diwali I am packing food that I am going to cook and distribute it (well nobody is ever that busy, try skipping the poker schedule for a while) . Even on the night of Diwali, the daily wage workers, rikshaw- pullers will be sleeping on the footpaths, some cooking their food. I guess the best admirers of my cooking can be found there. Try it. I am not just writing for the heck of it. I did it last year and trust me it was awesome. The smile and gratitude on their faces and wishes on their lips, you'll feel like Superman/Superwoman.

4. Well as I said you all will but crackers, if you are doing so then there is no harm if you but a few extra packets of "Phuljhari" (only these , nothing else) and while you enjoy Diwali , lend one of yours to the little child who might have seen many of these (cracker factories employ young kids) but never got a chance to light one. The longing in the eyes of such sweet little kids is heart wrenching. Give away, simply give away these lightening sticks to them. You will never get to see a brighter smile.

5. Distribute candles ("Diyas" require oil as well). Not a single household should stay dark at least that night. Let us all surrender to light.

6. I'll request you all not to change Diwali into a poker night. You are not setting a good example for your young kids who still believe that Diwali is a festival of light.

This Diwali let us spread happiness, light, beauty of life and make people believe that compassion and care comes before everything.

This Diwali spread joy.

This Diwali make someone smile.

This Diwali brighten up some otherwise bleak lives.

Signing off

Divya Sharma

PS- This Diwali I am running a drive for blood donation. If you are a lucknowite inbox me. There are around 40 kids, age 1- 12 suffering from cancer. They need us.

"Tum mujhe Khoon do main tumhe Khushiyan dungi" :)