Dipavali - The Festival of lights 

Mumbaikars celebrate Diwali - The festival of lights

Diwali - the festival of lights, is celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety by Mumbaikars every year.The cosmopolitan fabric of Mumbai helps to multiply the spirit of this joyous occasion. Diwali is also celebrated with parallel enthusiasm by Hindus, Muslims, Christian, Sikhs, Parsis, etc., and other communities in the country.

From historical perspective, Diwali assumes monumental significance in our country. Diwali commemorates the arrival of Lord Ram in Ayodhya after he had spent 14 years in exile. The festival also conveys a social message: The victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, which is defined as the victory of truth over the evil forces. The ubiquitous diyas or earthen lamps greet homes, offices, shops, etc., of Mumbai metropolis. The resplendent diyas light up the inner recess of our heart and help to dispel gloom and darkness.

Diwali inspires people to strive for a humanitarian cause. Before the onset of Diwali, corporate giants Mahindra and Mahindra had organised an Ability Development programme at its Welfare Center in Kandivali. The programme encouraged the physically handicapped or mentally challenged children to display their creative talent. The children had diligently crafted diyas (lighting lamps), which were sold in an exhibition held in Kandivali on November 10. The proceeds from the sale of diyas was utilised for the education of these underprivileged children.

You can also go for a shopping spree on Diwali! A stream of high quality products like crystalware, crockery, dry fruit, stainless steel utensils, electronic appliances, apparel (saris, shirts, trousers), television, washing machines, micro owens, dish washers, dryers, mixer grinders are pouring into the markets of Nul Bazaar, Zaveri Bazaar, Fashion street, Kalbadevi, Lohar Chawl, Crawford market, Gandhi Market, Heera Panna, etc. Most of the companies like Nokia, Godrej, Samsung, Sansui, Videocon, etc., offer special discounts or exciting exchange offers for their products, which comes as a bonanza for the consumer. In addition to clothes and sweets, products like television, refrigerator, and washing machines are already high on the priority list of the consumer in Mumbai.

Diwali offers an ideal opportunity for a family congregation. People get an opportunity to spend their time with their family or visit relatives and friends. Children are perhaps the happiest souls, who relish every moment of Diwali, their appetite for firecrackers, clothes, and sweets, completely satiated.

President Hanif Memon of Bombay Timber Industries said, "Our Association plans to organise a joint function inorder to celebrate Diwali and Ramzan Idd on 20 December.”

Ajay Gaonkar who is employed as an accountant in a multinational company said: “ On Diwali, I perform Laxmi puja in the morning. My mother makes delicious sweets like karanji, shakkar pali, ladoos, etc., which we share with relatives, neighbours and friends. I also love to light crackers.”

By : Wasim Siddiqui

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