Posted on June 17, 2007 - by rdilipk1

Diwali – Then and Now

Things have changed with years. What used to be culture few years back, is now hypocrisy. The oneness in families mostly seen during festivals is now nowhere to be seen. A nostalgic travel into the past in one such festival.My nostalgia…..

As the lamps or, Diyas that we call it began glimmering all around, my mind and thoughts leapt across to my childhood. I could see myself standing there in my balcony and looking across to other children lighting crackers.Lamps glowed all around and were spreading light even in the darkest of corners.But I had to wait for Papa to come so that i could join the ones out there lighting crackers.There were lots of people out there in the open, all dressed up and all of them with their families – children, father, mother, grandfathers and grandmothers.Crackers were tolerable – less of sound but more of beauty. People spent time in pujas, before they would come out to enjoy. Lots of open spaces meant that the one not interested could stay at home and prefer not to be disturbed. Naturality was the flavor – everything natural, be it the diyas, the crackers, the enjoyment etc.

The next moment there I was standing in my balcony about 10 years later. What was around was a changed Diwali. Lamps and Diyas had given way to candles because that was an easier way to do it. In yet other houses, there were these chinese lights (Indian ones are out of fashion these days).Many preferred not to light anything. No child was at his balcony waiting for his father to help him light crackers. Crackers were a means of pollution for the government as if all other pollutants were out. But there are right in some way because POLLUTION is evident when you breathe in the evening of Diwali. Children preferred lighting crackers alone because they felt that was a way of showing that they were brave. A few were busy on their mobile phones sending SMS or, speaking to their Boyfriends or, Girlfriends. Families were nowhere to be seen because grandsons preferred being alone, sons/daughters were busy with their social commitments and grandfathers / grandmothers…….What could they do but stay at home?

I would not want to see myself standing in my balcony in 10 years from now. Diwali, I am not sure would be there or, not.