Deepavali --Then and now

  Lets go back in time in the 90s..Back then i was a school going kid .I used to stay in Office quarters along with my parents.Though the quarters were small it was lively.It was that period of time when neighbours new each other.In fact they knew every thing that was happening in your house.Rite from your percentage ,your affairs ,whom you had crush on.Everything info was available to the entire colony.Such closely knit people they were..

       The same thing reflected in the way festivals were celebrated.Lets take for example Deepavali.

1. On the occassion of Deepavali every patch of land infront of the house entrances was beaming with Rangolis-Colorful,artistic,lively.
2. Diyas decorated every posssible place with their small yet powerful lights indicating "Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya" which means (Towards light from Darkness)
3. The Crackers -in all of its forms made sure to proclaim their existence through sound, light ,and their authentic smell
4. Back home Moms and aunties prepared delicious food items,and i bet no franchise food chain would claim to make such tasty food
5. The pooja itself was so grand,divine and cultural.The women folk Decorating Goddess "Lakshmi",Singing Devotional Songs,while chidren burst crackers outside....

 Fast forward today,I live in a decent apartment  with my Parents.I hardly know all of my neighbours Even the few i know,don't have time to talk.If they just smile then its equivalent to having an awesome conversation.There is no connect between neighbours...

        And yes these reflect in the way we celebrate festivals tooo...Taking Deepavali again as Example

1.  Rangolis are still there...but don't know why they lack luster
2.  Diyas  have suffered a lot of attrition. They have come down to just 2 to 4 infront of houses
3. Crackers --they are there but i think it has become a more of show off than genuine enjoyment.
4. Delicious Food items-People no more prepare it in their homes.They buy it from shops.--Laziness and Procrastination  you see...
5. Pooja --Again confined to homes ,Lacks Luster..

So before i conclude i just wanna say i wanna time travel back to those days and celebrate the festival in its True Spirit..

P.S.Please check https://www.gharwalidiwali.com/.

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