FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Diwali is a significant religious festival and is also popularly known as the "Festival of Lights" in our country. Infact Diwali has always been the one festival to look forward to for the joy and happiness it brings along with it every year and above all Diwali festival is celebrated with lot of fanfare.

I feel that this is one festival that truly celebrates life. Diwali, the most popular festival in our country, is meant to illuminate and spread the message of love, brotherhood and friendship. Let us not make it a show of lightning fireworks and crackers. Let it not be an occasion which some celebrate as a festival of noise while the others suffer the consequences.

Let us decorate our homes by lighting eco-friendly earthen lamps and enjoy Diwali as a festival of light, rather than a festival of noise, pollution and mishaps.

People need to distribute the bonds of greetings of this most awaited festival in our State in the shape of the tradition of lighting candles and exchange of good moments. No doubt giving gifts has always been an important rituals of the festival of Diwali, as is customary and Diwali gifts are an acknowledgement of love and affection that we give to our loved ones, but it has been witnessed that these days people have been making Diwali festival as a tool for hidden corruption and wrong doings especially within the government sector where it has been seen certain public servants accepting expensive branded gifts.

Infact there needs to be a strict code on such Public servants in our country for not accepting gifts from public during Diwali festival.

Rather the citizens need to celebrate Diwali in the typical traditional way by lighting the small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.

“On this Diwali may peace transcend happiness & joy and may the spirit of light illuminate all of us showing us the way and lead us together on the path of peace and social harmony.”

(The author is Ludhiana-based Advocate)