Written by: Baani Mehandru
Edited by: Aarushi Bansal
Designed by: Aarushi Mal
The most popular festival in the Indian culture which symbolizes the spiritual triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Cherished by everyone, be it the youngsters or the elderly, Diwali is characterised as the festival of lights and joy.
Prior to the festival, each home is occupied in the preparations: the cleaning, decoration, renovation of their houses with lights, rangolis, and small earthenware clay lamps called diyas. These lamps are lit, laid in rows, and usually set into the river to wish for prosperity and wealth, and to disregard any feeling of negativity and possible restraints. This festival is usually the time to exchange wishes and gifts and enjoy the thrill of firecrackers and large gatherings.
However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, celebrating Diwali with complete vigour and inviting large numbers of people to enjoy the roaring ‘Diwali parties’ is restricted; nevertheless, there are still many ways to celebrate with friends and family. After a year of adversity, such a glorious occasion is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with one’s family and be grateful for everything one has. Instead of the usual firework displays and social gatherings, events can be organized where the youngsters participate in recreational activities.
While this idea seems to dim the thought of the festival as well as its gaieties, the Indian culture can find other replacements in lieu of the regular customs. The creation of grand and captivating rangolis that are embellished by colourful diyas are one of the many enchanting experiences that ornaments this festival. In order to promote sustainability and safety, avoid embossing drastic carbon-footprints, and to avoid degrading the planet completely, bursting minimal sparklers is advised by the administration of India.
Furthermore, since the spread of the virus is on the rise, the proliferation of the same is highly plausible. Even though masks are an accustomed element of the new ‘normal’ in today's time, precaution and safety during the occasion may prohibit drastic damage and ensure safety during this time. Physical distancing is of utmost importance to ensure healthy individuals are not coming in contact with contaminated persons.
Keeping these precautions or safety measures in mind, there are an array of ways to cherish the occasion and avoid any such activities that may cause harm to others and the environment. Diwali is the commemoration of the deities Lakshmi and Ganesh, who bless us with health and wealth. As a community, we must come together and be grateful for our resilience and the strength that we were blessed with through these tough times.
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