Diwali: Hindus like a little extravagance to celebrate
THE letter from T Markandan, “Meaning of Diwali lost”, which appeared in The Independent On Saturday on October 21, deserves a response.
For the writer’s enlightenment, Diwali has never been a sombre, prayer-induced day. We dress in our best outfits, bake, cook, socialise and, in general, we celebrate, and one form of celebration is fireworks.
I remember when my grandparents used to buy fireworks and my mother remembers when her grandparents used to celebrate Diwali with fireworks, so why is everyone trying to make it seem that we are suddenly lighting fireworks for no good reason?
Since our democracy, many Indians have migrated to white areas and some of these Indians seem to behave as if they are whites.
They condemn our celebration and complain it has become noisy and inconvenient. It makes you wonder if the age-old tradition to conform has won the battle in those cases.
With regard to the writer’s concern for animals and those who have pets, it is no secret as to when Diwali is celebrated.
Any intelligent person knows that the best thing to do is sedate your pets and keep them indoors.
We also have elderly members in our families, babies and pets. We make plans in advance to protect them.
If Markandan and others with similar sentiments want to behave like Uncle Scrooge, they are at liberty do to so, but please do not impose your views on us. As with other communities who spend lavishly to celebrate their festivals, Hindus also like to get a bit extravagant on our auspicious day. After all, Diwali comes but once a year.