Amidst the orchestrated noises of ‘intolerance’, Bharat is celebrating the festival of lights. Like every year it is going to be another Deepavali. For kids certainly fire crackers will remain the main attraction of the festival. For our farmers it is the end of the harvest season. For business community it will be a new year. Gifts and sweets will be shared. Shopping spree, may be with digital ways, will be added to it. Still the yearning for making this biggest national festival special remains constant. What is the best way to make this national festival extraordinary and memorable?
As the Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has suggested in his blessings to this Deepavali Special Edition of Organiser, Deepavali celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. At the same time he has advised us to be wise, celebrate Deepavali every moment and every day in our life. Taking a clue from this message Organiser decided to make this festival special by bringing the stories of people who have lightened the lamps in darkness to celebrate the art of sharing throughout the life. In fact, this art of sharing that adds colours and brightness to our festivals.
Around us we experience many signs of darkness. Some Vanvasi or rural brethren are deprived of their basic rights. A large number of them find it difficult even to make both ends meet. Many children cannot get even a family; forget about other child rights. Women are denied their right to dignified existence. Elderly do not find someone to talk to. All these are signs of darkness around us. Sometimes we get moved by them, most of the times we just move on. There are many who decided to light a lamp in that darkness so that the life of others is lightened. They even burn their lives for such mission. Some are touched with magical wand of organisations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and dedicate themselves for a cause while others are inspired by some person or events. In each case they decide to bring light in the life of others. That is the way they celebrate their Deepavali every moment.
The festival of lights is an embodiment of our time-honoured ideal of Tamaso Ma Jyotirga-maya. The twinkling lights continue to symbolise eternal hope within every heart. They also inspire us to rededicate ourselves to the noble mission of spreading happiness, joy and prosperity in the life of each and every human being. However small that light may be, it has a power to light the other lamp. Through this Deepavali Special Edition, Organiser has brought some ‘shining stars’ that are lightening lamps in the lives of others in various corners of the country. They are not even bothered about any award or recognition. They do not even debate over their ability to overcome the darkness. These stars can light a lamp of hope, positive energy and brightness within us.
If we really want to make this Deepavali special, then instead of getting disturbed about negativities around us, we should take inspiration from the people and organisations that are quietly burning like a firefly to give light to others. We should also resolve to bring light for at least a single life.
Let us light a lamp. Happy Deepavali!
