Page 249 - Quest 2024

CLASS 9

Removing darkness and filling with light
The significance of Diwali is the removal of all darkness and ignorance from the mind Exchanging Gifts during Diwali
and filling it with light.. Diwali, often referred to as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most anticipated
From a very young age, I used to wonder why, during a week somewhere between and celebrated festivals in India. Amidst the brilliant oil lamps, the colourful
October and November, houses were filled with beautifully handcrafted diyas with their decorations, and the scrumptious feasts, there's one heartwarming tradition that
bright light radiating throughout my neighbourhood. I certainly did go on further about stands out: the exchange of gifts. This tradition carries profound significance,
questioning why this commemoration took place. I proceeded to ask my parents, emphasising the values of love, togetherness, and goodwill.
“Appa,Amma, why are the houses filled with these brightly lit oil lamps?" and, Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge
surprisingly enough, their murmurs of answers never seemed to satisfy my vast mind, over ignorance. It is a time when families unite, houses are illuminated, and a
although at a very young age. sense of togetherness fills the air. Beyond the glitz and glamour, the essence of
Later on, as an NRI and moreover a person in the Middle East, I saw way more than just Diwali is found in the bonds that people share with one another.
lamps of oil and bright lights filling the great ambience of my homely neighbourhood; it The tradition of giving and receiving gifts during Diwali is a way to express
was a festival to be cherished and, moreover, to admire its splendour. Being in the best affection and appreciation. It embodies the spirit of giving and is a gesture of
part of Kuwait, where all Indians join together in their unity and diversity, combining this goodwill. When gifts are exchanged during Diwali, the happiness experienced by
varied nature into our strength, we were sure to embrace all festivities with a spirit of both the giver and the receiver is immeasurable. It isn't just about the act of
joy and acceptance over the stereotypical and religious barriers that all of us certainly giving or receiving; it's about the shared joy that strengthens the bonds within
had. families and communities. It creates enduring memories and reminds us that
I still remember the first time I celebrated Diwali. It was when a new family shifted to Diwali is more than a festival of lights; it's a festival of love and sharing.
our floor and invited us over to celebrate Diwali. Absolutely nobody in my family knew
anything about this festival, despite having heard a lot of it. We were nothing but a Many people take the opportunity to share their blessings with the less
bunch of confused folks, not knowing what to do at an important festival. We quickly fortunate, underscoring the spirit of charity and compassion. This act of kindness
took our Onam costumes, bought the family a gift, and rushed there quite on time. is an integral part of Diwali and emphasises the values of empathy and giving
Although we were unaware of celebrations or customs, our hosts were calm and back to society.
taught us everything we ever had to know, and I vividly remember that despite being
anxious about being left out, I never did, and I to this day proudly admit that I’ve never In conclusion, the tradition of exchanging gifts on Diwali is a beautiful and
felt more wanted at a grand function or, moreover, a festival, even at my own religious meaningful tradition of sharing love, warmth, and togetherness, making the
places, despite having a Hindu host. That day, I learned a valuable moral that nobody festival even more special. As we celebrate Diwali, let's remember the joy of
taught me—the first lesson I’ve taught myself. Religion is just a name we put on people giving and receiving, which brings us closer to our loved ones and strengthens
who, after all, are all devotees of the same God. the bonds of our communities.
From that day on, I began to notice that the closeness and affection we feel towards
any person is not at all dependent on any religious, cultural, or economic divisions. We Viola Sheral Prem D'mello
all unite in one love, one nation, and one union, and that is more important than 9 ,Indian Learners’ Own Academy, Kuwait.
anything that divides us. Our unity lies in our diversity. Our biggest wealth is the name of
India.
This is especially noticed outside our motherland. When we stay away from our nation,
our memories, our favourite things, and our important memoirs and adventures flash
before our very eyes. When we see anyone and anything that reminds us of our nation,
especially in these foreign countries, we find this immense love, care, and a beautiful CLASS 11
attraction for anyone that is a camarade and becomes our family.
Diwali, despite being an orthodox festival in India, sees NRIs join together hand in hand
without any difference or dispute and later on celebrate it wholeheartedly together in
order to remove all negativity from our minds and fill it with the light of the beautiful
festival marking the victorious return of Rama and Sita after their plight, and just like
that, after every festival, I too mark another day of beautiful unity for our nation.
Riya Prakash Loads of Gifts for all
9 ,Indian Learners’ Own Academy, Kuwait. Diwali or Deepawali is the festival of light which symbolizes the victory of light
over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It is also connected
with mythological events such as the day when Sri Ram with his wife Sita and
brother Lakshmana returned to their kingdom Ayodhya after defeating the
demon, Ravana. During Diwali all the houses are lit with diyas,candles and
lanterns.
Diwali also symbolizes equality, friendship, and happinessamong people. People
DIWALI CELEBRATIONS BY NRIs exchange various gifts which are beautiful and thoughtful. There are many
“Distance may separate us this Diwali, but our love and wishes will always bring us closer.” reasons why people exchange gifts with each other such as to express love,
As a NRI myself, I find celebrating Diwali in a foreign country quite interesting, but at the gratitude, and blessings to others. When neighbors, relatives and friends
same time, like every other Indian, I do miss celebrating it in my motherland. Here, even exchange gifts it increases the strength of the relationship between them. When
though people are staying abroad, they have never left their tradition behind; you could see their relationship strengthensit also increases the tendency of the people to help
people praying and sometimes even drawing rangolis at their doorsteps. each other. The gifts exchanged by them may be sweets, clothes, books, toys etc.
The spirit of Diwali starts here a week before the festival itself. The blasting of dynamite can By givingpeople gifts like books it increases the knowledge of the people who
be heard anywhere around Indian residences in Kuwait. The bursting of crackers and lighting receive them. As we know Diwali is a celebrated to have fun and enjoyment it
of fireworks turns the night sky into a colourful one, and houses are filled with joy and
pleasure. In between all this happiness, there is still a longing to take blessings from your also knowledge of the people who receive them. During Diwali festival wetry to
grandparents and elders and celebrate this festival with a massive crowd in a place where taste different types of sweets which we receive as gifts. Handmade cards,
this festival is of major importance. lanterns, ornaments etc. are the trending gifts that can be gifted to your loved
Staying away from home on our favourite festivals is upsetting, as we cannot experience the ones. The lanterns can be made up of paper, clothes, quilling materials etc. during
joy of togetherness because this festival is the time the family comes together. However, this Diwali the people wear saree, shirt of red colors or any bright other colors which
experience taught me two things: one is to always value the time with your family, and the describes brightness. The ladies celebrating Diwali wear henna on their hand.The
other is that we can celebrate and enjoy it as if we were in our own homes anywhere. economy of the country also increases during this period as people from
Celebrating the festival of lights away from a major part of your family is disappointing, but different places go to a major shop which gives or offers the people a big and
we could celebrate Diwali here with the family we have formed. attractive discount.Diwali is celebratedall over the world in a beautiful and
M.Shivani extraordinary way. So, it is important to exchangegifts during Diwali to maintain
9 D,Indian Learners’ Own Academy.
peace in the country. So have fun with your friends and family atthisDiwali as we
know that without them if we celebrate any festival, it will be incomplete.
AMRITHA SAJUSH
11 E, Indian Learners Own Academy