FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS STILL HAS MEANING
THE MERCHANTS have been buzzing and the tills are ringing with the run up to this Wednesday’s annual celebration of Diwali or the Festival of Lights.
The economics of Diwali are significant because, like Eid, it is the peak season for many retailers to increase their marketing dramatically as sales of core festival goods escalate. In emulating the wisdom of the ancient forest saints and sages to create a society that transcends nationality, colour, and creed, business and civil society must look beyond the splash of colour, firecrackers, saris, sweets and song.
Beyond the celebration, Diwali must serve as the ultimate discourse in good overcoming evil where the cultural, social and devotional moorings of South Africans of Indian ancestry should lead to lessons of ethical and moral conviction.
The Story of the Festival of Lights is an ageless one of epic battles where good triumphs over evil, light overcomes dark, and love conquers fear.
The innate messages conveyed in the stories of Rama and Sita are timeless and are an opportunity to create a window into the cultural diversity of a still segregated nation.
It is imperative to embrace new realms of understanding such as values that are universal, philosophies that combine thought and science, and devotion that is deeply humane.
Only with understanding comes acceptance and the eradication of suspicion and fear, to appreciate diversity through a small glimpse into the history of another culture.
The Indian community in
South Africa are a minority, but our contribution to the Struggle and the country in many areas of influence, especially in business, education and politics, has been substantial.
Apart from Mahatma Gandhi, Struggle stalwarts like the late Professor Govin Reddy, Kader Asmal, Amina Cachalia, Fatima Meer,
Dullah Omar and currently Minister Pravin Gordhan, Dr Essop Pahad, Shanti Naidoo, Frene Ginwala, Jay Naidoo and others of their ilk should be celebrated for their courage to confront evil and wrongdoing.
They displayed a collective consciousness and value as human beings to retain the universal message of tolerance, courage and the ultimate victory of skirmish scarred beings who symbolise the cosmic conflict of all men.
With this in mind, I wish all who celebrate Diwali peace, prosperity and infinite blessings.
Brenda Kali is chief executive of Conscious Companies and the founder of the Conscious Leadership Academy.