Once upon a time, I enjoyed Diwali to the fullest – bursting
firecrackers, eating sweets, having a blast with my sister and visiting
friends. Times have changed, so have I. People have moved away from each other
and there are not many invitations passing around for Diwali celebrations for
me to pick up from. Even if I did have a chance to celebrate Diwali with
friends, I would be conscious of eating sweets due to my weight gain and I
would not be able to enjoy the firecrackers thinking of pollution and the child
labors who manufacture them under harsh conditions.
Rayyan gave up bursting crackers completely few years ago
considering the pollution and noise. I have kept away from crackers since
Farheena doesn't like the sound and every Diwali is tormenting time for her. With
lot of assurance, support and a good headphone she is pulling through the
festival bravely now, though she gets a bit grumpy at times.
I am not sure whether I love the way I am aware of issues
now or I would love to go back and be the carefree girl I was who did not
bother about pollution or weight gain and enjoyed Diwali a lot. My dad worked
as an officer in charge of purchasing raw materials for Joy Ice Creams Factory
in Whitefield. He did a lot of business with Marwaris and shared a good
relationship with them. They made him a part of their Diwali celebrations;
hence we got to taste variety of sweets and firecrackers for free every year.
As they came from different people, every package was unique and it was a great
joy opening them. At times we would squeal with joy when we found some rare
sweet or a firecracker we really loved in the package.
As dad got his Diwali bonus, we would get new dresses for Diwali
as well. My sister and I usually bought same type of clothes in different
colors. She loved Red and I loved blue. Since most of our friends were Hindus
and would wear new dress for Diwali, we enjoyed showing off our dresses to them
as well. We would buy matching bangles, deck our hairs with flowers and visit
friends. Usually it was my sister who wanted to visit friends and she did not
give me a choice whether I could accompany her or not. She was not comfortable going
alone, so it was a compulsory that I follow her. That is what sisters are for,
she would say.
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As for my mom, she did not like the noise or the fire at
all. We had to force her out of home to watch the phooljadi or flower pots at
times. Even a small sound would make her jump, so finally we decided to let her
be in her own world far away from the crackers. But dad was different. He
enjoyed bursting the loud crackers like Lakshmi Pataki or Bombs. I always
joined him, since none of my siblings were interested in these noisy crackers.
Somewhere down the lane of life, Diwali lost its sweetness
and brightness for me. I am not sure when and where the change happened. All I remember
is sharing those amazing times with my family --- because today my Dad, Mom and
Sister have become my memories and memories have become a treasure. As I hear
the crackers bursting outside my home, I get lost in the happy world that
existed once upon a time…………..
