Puran Chand Sharma
Festival is a very special occasion which signifies happiness, blissfulness, festivity, spirited celebration, occasion that makes us stress free, gives us a break from the routine monotony of temporal world rather profusely recharges us for performing our paramount duties on the domestic, socio-economic and nationalistic front. The festivals were logically and wisely planned in our country for the people to lead a meaningful and purposeful life. These are extraordinary events which act as a moving spirit for performing and conducting all worldly affairs with greater proficiency and the high sense of purpose. Diwali is popularly known as festival of lights which spiritually connects us to the dream imagination of divine prosperity of Ram Rajya in Treta yug. This is a perennial and very powerful source of our inspiration in the hard times of Kaliyuga wherein the modern man is madly hankering after the pent up desires and pleasures duly engrossed in conflicts and nasty squabbles. However, the annual celebration keeps us fully charged physically, mentally and spiritually for the ensuing year. Accordingly Diwali of the year 2020 is quite significant and special in the sense that the world is reeling under Covid-19 inclusive of our country which is all set and poised to celebrate Diwali amidst its prevalence. Families, children and the adolescents are sprucing up for the event with great enthusiasm. Full scale cleansing operations of houses, places of work as well as offices are underway as part of the Diwali preparations. We have experienced over the years that during this period when the grand event approaches fast and few days are left, the mood of the people is upbeat and the Indian folks feel as if the revered Deity, Sh. Rama is revisiting the country once again after annihilating Ravana, the doyen of evil forces, the fountain head of injustice and incarnation of barbarism, to have a glimpse of his devotees fully submerged in grandeur of the celebrations.
But the situation and the prevailing circumstances are starkly different and typical this year. There is all pervading scare and phobia of Covid-19. People are perplexed and frightened to step out of their doors to earn their living. There is no definite indication of irreversible decline in the ongoing dreaded pandemic. It is staging come back time and again at different places. Pollution is also racing fast towards the dangerous level. Number of covid-19 victims is steeply rising. There is a question mark on adequacy of matching and befitting arrangements for controlling and checkmating the deadly viral infection at various places in the country. The Govt has formulated the standard operating procedure for safety such as maintaining social distancing, washing of hands from time to time, sanitization, wearing proper mask, avoiding crowds, mandatory testing and isolation etc. The pandemic has also badly hit the national economy, therefore, it was a burning need to open up and resume normal working in the Govt as well as private sectors coupled with entire business activities and the normal social pursuits to revive and uplift the economy. This move and wise decision of the apex dispensation has proved fruitful in facilitation of pertinent improvements in the national economy. This is certainly a welcome augury for the nation confronting with the mysterious disease. We must make an effort to make this Diwali a bit special by not allowing the covid-19 to launch its” tsunami” on the pattern of America and France. We have already cautionary examples of Kerala and Delhi wherein in case of the former their early success was upset by gross negligence during the festival of Onam and in case of Delhi, rate of positive cases has registered a rise of nearly15% as compared to 5% in mid October. In view of this alarming situation we cannot afford to slip into any kind of laxity but one and all owe responsibility and accountability towards ourselves, our family, neighbours, society, mother nature, divine eco-system and the nation as a whole. Although there is religious fervour, sentiments and emotions are attached to our beloved deity yet there is a burning and crying need to celebrate Deepawali with the reasonable restraint. This would generate awareness amongst our progeny for future. As human beings Almighty God has blessed us with inner power and huge potential to improvise in conformity with the changed situation. Whilst on the subject I wish to quote Swami Vivekananda’s inspiring words, “Things do not grow better. They remain as they are; and we grow better by the changes we make in them.” The underlying message is loud and crystal clear pinpointing us to make things better by changing ourselves in accordance with the challenge at hand. Diwali festival is not to be missed out because it is our cultural life line.
It is our inspiration and motivation. It is the divine elixir and the spiritual nectar which strengthens our family and social bonding. Let us discard the beaten track by determining and resolving to change for the better on the following lines to discharge our responsibility and accountability with due diligence:- Focus on cleansing of households and the surroundings, say no to crackers which cause worst kind of sound and air pollution or make symbolic use of green crackers for celebration, strictly adhere to standard operating procedure , Josh k Saath Hosh is the buzz word, Apart from traditional prayer for our family add one additional prayer for well being and equitable prosperity for one and all, on this special occasion light 5 earthen lamps in your house each for the prosperity of the country, educational institution, farmers, soldiers, corona warriors. Gift earthen lamps, sweets and such related items to the poor and needy fellow citizens, Do at least one charitable act for the society, Ensure to send Diwali greetings to the school teachers and the management. This kind of goodwill gesture would probably create a deep bonding and relationship with fellow countrymen and the nation as a whole which is the real hidden spiritual message of Diwali. Blessings and good wishes.
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