The Festive Mood

The festive mood is on, right from the beginning of this month. Starting off with the Navaratri festival, this festive season has reached the final stage. Only a few days to go for Diwali - probably the biggest Hindu festival which is celebrated all over India.

People living in cities like Chennai, lead a materialistic life. They have developed a habit of doing things in the same way they live - be it carrying out an ordinary task or celebrating festivals. They do it, just because they are supposed to do it.

Festivals symbolize our tradition and culture. Though the festivals are celebrated these days, they are not given the spiritual importance they deserve. They are just treated as holidays. Most of the people living in cities either don't celebrate at all due to lack of time or do it for the name sake. This doesn't happen in small towns. They celebrate the festivals with full commitment. The kids will be involved in the celebration and they’ll get to know about the importance of the festival.

Diwali - the festival of lights is considered as a festival which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The lighting of the lamps represents a way of paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and valoured fame. Besides celebrating it with its own rituals and myths, Diwali is considered as a festival which gives – Holidays, New dresses, Delicious Sweets and a lot of special TV Programmes. People are glued to their TV sets watching the special programmes. Children don’t even come out to burst crackers. I’ve seen this happening in cities. It is certainly not the kid’s mistake.

Diwali is projected as a shopping festival. Shopping gets the prime importance among people. People show a great interest to buy new dresses, sweets and crackers which is quite understandable. But, all possible consumer products are put up on discount sale. Even very common things like plastic mugs, buckets are put up in Diwali Sale! I could hardly find any connection between Diwali and plastic mugs. Nothing could escape the Diwali sale – safety pins, pencil, rubber, mugs, slippers, chairs, furniture sets, mobile phones, computers, television sets, AC, fridge, washing machine, mixie, grinder, computers, bikes and even cars.

Festivals are to bring people together and to make them forget all their worries. On the other hand, people should realize the importance of festivals and celebrate them with full involvement and enthusiasm. Importantly, the kids growing up in cities should be taught about the significance of our festivals and give them a healthy knowledge regarding what our culture is all about.

Wishes for a happy, colorful and safe Diwali…!

Gowri Shankar
“Proud to be an Indian”