People need to stop milking the joy out of Diwali celebrations

THE letter from Khusal Ramlakhan, “Fireworks have no significance for Diwali” which appeared in the Sunday Tribune on October 29, 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 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 the writer trying to make it seem that we are suddenly lighting fireworks for no good reason?

I can’t find any possible reason to have a custom, which has been practised within my family for generations, abolished because it has become unacceptable to some.

Since democracy, many Indians have migrated to white areas and many hold senior positions in industry, commerce and the civil service. Some of them 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.

I am fairly certain that these people did celebrate with fireworks when they were little and now they would begrudge the rest of us. What makes us different from our ancestors besides the money, flashy cars and smart clothes? Have we traded in our beliefs and customs to join the rest of the bunch?

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 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 Khushal Ramlakhan and others with similar sentiments want to behave like Uncle Scrooge, they are at liberty to do so, but 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. Diwali comes but once a year. REKHA PREMSHAND

Phoenix