Diwali - Celebrating light over darkness

Do you see gleaming lamps and luminous lights decorated in the corridors of your neighbourhood? Do you sense an aroma of sweets permeating your house? While walking down the street, did you spot someone carrying bags of new clothes with a smile on their face? If your answer is yes, then it is that time of the year.

Despite the fact we—Indian—share several festivals to celebrate, Diwali (or Deepavali as we call it in the South) has always been the festival that most of us look forward to celebrating. Diwali signifies the triumph of light over darkness. It symbolizes one's possibility to fight against all evils and the ability to overcome hardships and be successful in life. Unlike other Indian religious festivals, Diwali is celebrated unanimously by all Indians in the world. Although the celebrations differ for each region, the essence of the festival remains the same.

What is significant about Diwali?

Diwali is always regarded as a festival of buying happiness for not just us but for the people around us, too. It fosters the thought of togetherness and brings about unity. Children are taught to share sweets from their homes with their neighbors and encouraged to apportion their crackers among friends and family. Associated with innumerable emotions, this festival of lights spreads supreme happiness and gives a ray of hope. It instils a sense of self-belief and an invigorating dimension to our lives. Irrespective of age, Diwali brings out the child inside all of us and makes us feel like painting the town red. Diwali is a notable festival not just because of the external attractions of lights and sound but for the values it brings along. For people living away from their hometown, Diwali still happens to be their reason to visit their families and spend time with their loved ones. On top of all this, who wouldn’t cherish a day off from school and work?

Diwali for me: Then vs. now

The best part about Diwali is the celebration begins at least a month before the actual festival itself. Starting from buying new clothes in bustling streets to buying firecrackers, categorizing them into daytime fireworks and night-time fireworks, and preparing luscious sweets brimming with ghee, every activity here is considered a ritual in itself. It doesn’t end here. Exchanging memories with friends and families about how previous Diwalis had been and what could be done to improve the current year’s celebration remains an endless conversation. From getting scared of hearing the bursting sound of crackers to relishing it as soothing music to my ears, I grew up as a kid from a child. The lambent lights and exploding sounds of the fireworks will brighten up the entire town and keep everyone awake the whole night.

Each year, the night before Diwali feels eternal. There arises a constant battle between the urge to start bursting fireworks a day before Diwali and the realization that doing so would leave me with insufficient fireworks for the next day. Going to bed thinking about waking up before the sun, taking an oil bath, wearing my colorful and spotless new clothes, devouring breakfast, and getting all set to go out on the streets to set the crackers on fire with friends and family invariably gives me euphoria. Despite having an entire day to spend, watching newly released movies, bursting crackers, gobbling delectable sweets and snacks, and catching up with friends and relatives feel like a race against time.

However, in recent times, the craze for Diwali seems to have been diluted but hasn’t disappeared. In spite of growing older and finding less time to indulge in these activities anymore, Diwali is and will continue to be an imperative and inseparable part of my life.

Years may change, but celebrations? Never!

Let the celebrations begin

I wish all my friends and colleagues here at NortonLifeLock and Avast a happy, prosperous, and joyous Diwali. May this Diwali light up your life and give abundant exuberance to you and your family. It is not a festival that only Indians should celebrate. Diwali is a festival that illuminates our lives and enlightens our souls, and it is something beyond borders and religions.

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