It was Diwali, the festival of lights. The whole atmosphere was polluted
with the smoke emitted by the fire crackers, sparklers (phool jhari), flower pots ( Anar) and what not. Though the entire township was decorated with all shapes and sizes
of fancy lights, it was looking like a war zone. The entire street was littered with burnt fire work Materials. Children were screaming at the top of their voices. Parents were encouraging their pampered children to fire as many crackers as they wish. Who cares!
As we were approaching to light a candle at the gate, we saw a tiny little girl, bare footed, dressed in rags hiding behind a tree near our house. She was watching the whole tamasha with excitement and she was enjoying every bit of it. At that moment she apparently forgot that she does not belong to this affluent crowd.
When we tried to go nearer, she got scared and moved away in panic. We comforted her
and called her to join us in what ever we were doing. She first hesitated but later
agreed. We gave her some candle and sparklers (phool jhari) to light and join us in the celebration. We could see happiness and smile on her face. She played for a while
ate some sweets and looked at us with a great sense of satisfaction and gratitude. She then left in the darkness, I do not know where to.
We call it a national festival. What does it mean to the underprivileged in the land of abundance?
with the smoke emitted by the fire crackers, sparklers (phool jhari), flower pots ( Anar) and what not. Though the entire township was decorated with all shapes and sizes
of fancy lights, it was looking like a war zone. The entire street was littered with burnt fire work Materials. Children were screaming at the top of their voices. Parents were encouraging their pampered children to fire as many crackers as they wish. Who cares!
As we were approaching to light a candle at the gate, we saw a tiny little girl, bare footed, dressed in rags hiding behind a tree near our house. She was watching the whole tamasha with excitement and she was enjoying every bit of it. At that moment she apparently forgot that she does not belong to this affluent crowd.
When we tried to go nearer, she got scared and moved away in panic. We comforted her
and called her to join us in what ever we were doing. She first hesitated but later
agreed. We gave her some candle and sparklers (phool jhari) to light and join us in the celebration. We could see happiness and smile on her face. She played for a while
ate some sweets and looked at us with a great sense of satisfaction and gratitude. She then left in the darkness, I do not know where to.
We call it a national festival. What does it mean to the underprivileged in the land of abundance?
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