It’s been long since my fingers tapped on the keyboard, and
the punched-beaten-harassed-overworked keys aren’t too happy about having me
back! I can say that because they aren’t complying with my rough demands today,
and so I am forced to check, recheck, type, retype, delete and correct things
multiple times.
Nevertheless, Diwali is almost here and I am really sorry
about the whole thing, except for the fact that it marks an end to my fifth
semester at college.
Unlike the average Indian for whom Diwali is a high-light
event (pun intended), for me, Diwali is just a stupid, silly festival of (p)light.
Before the devout Hindus of this nation rush up to strangle
my already choking throat (smog, you see!), let me clarify that it is not the
festival I am against; it is only the mystifying meanings we have assigned to
it that I am allergic (literally) to!
What make Diwali a festival of darkness for many of us are
the frivolous notions, expectations, ideations and traditions that have come to
be associated with it over the years, as the society has devolved.
Smoke
(and noise)
There is something depressing about the
entire patakha mess that plagues the streets of Delhi soon after the ten headed
menace of Ravana is burnt to ashes during Dussehra. Kids as young as five years
of age vow to replace that menace and create a city of smoke on the congested,
dying streets of the capital. Even adults no longer care about the rising
pollution levels and plunge into bursting crackers, full throttle. People set
fire to their own hard-earned money and dance with inexplicable joy as it is reduced
to wisps of smoke which blanket the whole atmosphere.
And, I am not even going to start about the
obvious, intense discomfort animals face due to the noise and the pollution.
Breathing the city’s air during such times
of smog is equivalent to smoking eight cigarettes a day. In fact, Delhi is so
polluted that every year you spend here shortens your life span by a month!
(Yes, you are free to Google the stats, doubters!)
This Diwali, spare those of us whose lungs aren’t
as good at breathing smoke, and gift us all a life, please. _/\_
The
mess and stress of gifting
Though more prominent in the corporate
world, commercialization of Diwali is no news to us. While the opportunity is
fully exploited by chain discount stores by offering attractive gift packages,
schemes and irresistible vouchers to the frenzied shoppers, for most of us,
choosing gifts for friends, family, business partners, bosses, colleagues, and
the occasional door ka rishtedaar who materializes out of nowhere during
festivals, is a headache. And, people always secretly dislike the gifts they
get, anyway!
Here is a tip: Limit the exchange of gifts
to those who you cannot do without (read essential business associates), prefer
gifting cash wherever possible so that the other person can use it to their
advantage and not sulk over the gift, and if someone takes offence over your no gifting
strategy, fold your hands and mutter ‘good riddance.’ Honestly, you are better
off without such people in your life. And, think of the number of dinner sets
and glass sets you will be spared in return! :P
Traffic
Though the chaos is common on Delhi roads
at any given time of the year, Diwali takes the cake. This Diwali, since you
are no longer a part of the gifting mess, give your car some rest and avoid the
jungle on roads ;) Carpooling is a good option, plus, you always have public
transport that saves you the trouble of
clutch-break-accelerator-break-break-clutch! J
Travel easy, travel happy!
Lights
that can make you go blind, and the nation bankrupt
We as Indians are licensed to waste the
nation’s resources, but, even by our standards, Diwali marks the absolute
epitome of the reckless expenditure. And what is worse is that we are spending
it on Chinese lights- giving the Chinese more reasons than us, to celebrate the
festival. Case in point, just take a look at the extravagance that goes into
lighting up houses at Diwali, decking them up like brides to be!
No, I am not against lights. But, excess of
everything is bad.
Complement electric lights with traditional
diyas, so you not only save on the bill, and the nation’s resources
(electricity in India mainly comes from coal which is non-renewable resource,
as fifth standard Science will tell you!) but also contribute to the meager incomes
of the desi artisans. Give them a cause to celebrate, too! J
So, dear fellow citizens of my nation, this Diwali, be a
little more considerate. Celebrate and put a smile on the faces of those not as
fortunately blessed as you, and have a good time without the chaos, confusion
and drama.
Here is wishing you all a very happy Diwali. Please don’t
make it a festival of plight J
