"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" :)
