Thursday, October 27, 2005

Let there be light

My childhood Diwalis initially were nothing but a celebration of dejections. Practically, year after year, I have spent Diwalis watching my affluent Marwari neighbors blast the night off, while me and also some of my friends had enough crackers to last only for a maximum of thirty mins. I always used to think that if I start late may be I will be able to finish with them. But that never happened. I was a late starter and an early finisher. And one Diwali, to beat the blues of not having enough crackers we friends thought that we have to make it a joint effort. So what we did was to pool in money and celebrate Diwali together. We used to always buy crackers from a wholesale trader so that we could get maximum discounts. Those were my most memorable Diwalis.
But after I passed out from school, somehow I started feeling that blasting crackers is a waste of money. But one Diwali when I was in my intermediate, my father gave me a brilliant idea. He said, “buy crackers and give them to slum children.” And I did exactly that. It was an awesome experience to see them jump with joy.
After I have started working I have only once spent my Diwali at home in the last five years. Sometimes I have also spent Diwalis in the train watching the whole world celebrate. But this Diwali I am happy that I will be home. Sounds good…. Lights too good…

1 comment:

Debabrata said...

There would always be people who have the hide of a rhino. Even after the Delhi blasts did the celebrations stop?