Wish you a very Happy Diwali!!

DIWALI: SPARE A THOUGHT FOR CHILDREN OF SIVAKASI

One of the first things that we would be looking in a yearly calendar is the day diwali would be celebrated. The indians living in india would be itching to celebrate while the indians living abroad would make sure their indian holiday plans are in sync with diwali time. Joy derived from triumph of good over evil is the hallmark of diwali. However, there are certain sections of people who need to be remembered, the same people who are the catalyst for making your diwali as colourful as you want to be.

Every year, 90 per cent of the crackers for diwali are made from a small place called sivakasi in south india. This is the capital of the fireworks industry in india and one of the leading centers across the world. After lui yang, the chinese city which is leader in the world production of crackers, sivakasi is the next hub for global fireworks industries. This is something that we should be proud about, however, this empire has been built on a model of extreme low wages and high casualty rates. According to the tamil nadu fireworks and amorces manufacturers association (tnfama), 237 lives have been lost over the last 12 years in fireworks manufacturing plants. In september this year, 39 people lost their lives in a fire at om shakti fireworks in sivakasi due to lack of adherence to safety norms and regulations in the town. The flouting of safety norms is a norm rather than an aberration in the fireworks industry especially amidst the unorganized and small companies operating across the sector. Even though there has been widespread condemnation by civil society over the state of affairs in sivakasi, year after year you see a similar situation unfolding. While accidents could happen in any city which produces firecrackers, it rarely happens with the sheer consistency and magnitude of sivakasi in recent times. Besides the issue of safety, the issue of child labour has plagued the industry for long.

Lets come to terms with this fact; most of the crackers that you are bursting today have had involvement of child labour at some level or the other. Though this is alarming, it is not surprising considering the magnitude of child labour in the fireworks industry across the country. Child labour is regrettably rampant as much in many other industries but the exploitation of children to make crackers that are dangerous is simply unacceptable. According to a un study published in the mid 1990's there were 30,000 people employed in the match industry and 3,000 people employed in the fireworks industry in sivakasi; all in between the age of 6-14. Some estimates suggest that the daily wage for these workers is less than 150 rupees a day; an abysmal reality that makes it almost on par with the minimum wage for workers in the fireworks industry which has been set at rs 99.98 per day. Besides the economics, the question is why should the children be doing what they are doing? Shouldn't they be taken care of by the society and the state? What happened to the self acclaimed goal of education to all? All of these questions point to a greater role needed to be played by both the state and the society at large.

There has to be a systematic response from the government in terms of legislation that tightens the safety norms and action on the ground with more investment in safety monitoring systems. A report from the bbc states that petroleum and explosives safety organisation (peso) had just 4 officers overseeing over 1,000 companies and factories in sivakasi over the last year. Is this good enough? There has to be an increase in manpower in monitoring mechanisms and enhanced law and order which cracks down vehemently on the firecracker owners who are flouting rules. Though there have been raids on companies flouting the law, the issue requires more investment and action. Legislation such as the child labour (prohibition and regulation) act of 1986 could be revamped to discourage children from working in family owned businesses etc. In addition, there has to be a sustained effort to educate the public, especially the people in the rural areas, on the impact of this on the children's future in the years to come.

Society needs to stand up and address these concerns. I am not suggesting we boycott crackers but why not contribute to the upliftment of communities in the sivakasi belt in the form of public private partnership? Why not work on evolving the best practices that the world's leading fireworks manufacturing city lui yang has? Why not try and provide education tools to these young kids who are sweltering in the heat with their lives on the line? Why not just think about all that we could do to mobilize non governmental resources for this cause? Why not start thinking about all this during an auspicious day such as diwali?

DIWALI SPECIAL

DIWALI DHAMAKA

Diwali, the Hindu "festival of lights," is the best known of Hindu festivals and certainly the brightest. While there are many beliefs regarding this festival, the most popular one is that this day symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Amid the dark skies of autumn, lights illumine homes throughout India and her diaspora, while families celebrate with visits to friends and relatives, gifts to each other, donations to the poor, prayers and feasts. Diwali celebrations generally last for five days, beginning on the 14th day of the dark half of the Hindu calendar month of Asvina. (Every Hindu month is divided into a light half, when the moon waxes, and a dark half, when it wanes.) By the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in October or November.

Bright Beauty

Diwali’s name comes from the Sanskrit word “deepawali” which means "row of lights." According to tradition, Diwali celebrates the joyous homecoming of Lord Rama, hero of the epic poem the Ramayana. After 14 years of exile, when Lord Rama and his wife Sita returned to rule their country, their people lit their path with small oil lamps called diye.

During Diwali, these lamps shine in rows along homes and temples adorning windowsills, staircases, and parapets or glow from little boats that float down the rivers. Colorful candles are lit alongside the diyes, while fireworks light up the night skies.

Feasts and Festivities

Fresh flowers and freshly cleaned homes welcome the days of Diwali. Many families draw a colorful rangoli, a decorative pattern made in rice flour, at the entrance of their home. Friends, family, and neighbors visit to share feasts and festivities as well as little treats such as khil (rice puffs) and patashe (sugar disks). Puja, worship of deities, takes place at homes and at temples with prayers and other offerings. Diwali also marks the beginning of a new financial year. Households and businesses begin new accounting in new ledgers, which are often decorated with images of Lakshmi - the goddess of fortune. She is the main deity honored during Diwali.

Diverse Traditions

Like other aspects of Hinduism, the world’s oldest religion, the origins of Diwali are remote. The celebration probably has its roots in ancient harvest festivals. And like Hinduism, observance of Diwali is richly varied among the faiths 800 million adherents.

Although the Rama tradition is widespread, in some parts of India Diwali honors the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi Lord Vishnu; in others. Yet, in other traditions, it remembers the triumph of Lord Krishna over the demon Naraka. While for most Hindus the worship of Lakshmi is a focus of Diwali, Hindus in Bengal honor the fearsome goddess Kali. Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, is also widely honored, as are other gods and goddesses.

Diwali Mela

Diwali Mela or Diwali Fete are extremely popular not just in India but all over the world. These help people to celebrate the popular ‘Festival of Lights’ with gaiety and enthusiasm within their own community. Diwali Mela serves a very important role as the festival of Diwali is celebrated in individual homes. For Hindu community outside India, Diwali Mela is a means to bond with cultural roots and acquaint children to the rich Indian culture and heritage.

Diwali Mela Celebrations

Diwali Melas have become hugely popular these days and are enjoyed with great enthusiasm in India and in countries where there is a significant Indian diaspora. Cultural shows including Ram Lila and Ravan Dahan are organized by professional artists and children to regale the crowds. Games and other fun-filled activities for children and grownups are usually a part of all Diwali Melas. Additionally, stalls of Indian handicrafts and other trinkets are also set up to let people go on a little shopping spree. Diwali Melas outside India are used to showcase the best of Indian culture; Stalls of pottery making, henna painting on palms etc help people enjoy the spirit of India. Mouth watering foods from all parts of India, including chaats, pakodas, dosas, just to name a few satisfy cravings. And, the customary fireworks are undoubtedly an integral part of Diwali Melas. Joyful competitions are also organized to increase public participation.

Added Attraction of Diwali Mela

In addition to all the great fun and activities described above, being immensely popular, Diwali Melas in India and around the world are blessed by top Bollywood stars. Scintillating performance and shows by Bollywood stars and noted singers mesmerize people and leave them asking for more. Diwali, the Hindu "festival of lights," is the best known of Hindu festivals and certainly the brightest. Amid the dark skies of autumn, lights illumine homes throughout India and its Diaspora, while families celebrate with visits, gifts, and feasts.

DIWALI NEW

      DIWALI FESTIVAL IN INDIA

Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali,popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a five day festival which starts on Dhanteras, celebrated on thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month Ashwin and ends on Bhaubeej, celebrated on second lunar day of Shukla paksha (bright fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month Kartik. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls between mid-October and mid-November.

Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.

For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BCE.The name "Diwali" or "Divali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" (Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (dīpa in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome.[ Firecrackers are burst in order to drive away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas and by bursting firecrackers.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Diwali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Diwali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

It begins in late Ashvin (between September and October) and ends in early Kartika (between October and November). The days in Ashvin are in the Krishna Paksha ("dark fortnight") of that month, while the days in Kartik are in its Shukla Paksha ("bright fortnight"). The first day is Dhan Teras. The last day is Yama Dvitiya, which signifies the second day of the light half of Kartika. Each day of Diwali marks one celebration of the six principal stories associated with the festival.Hindus have several significant events associated with Diwali:

The return of Rama after 14 years of Vanvas (exile). To welcome his return, diyas (ghee lamps) were lit in rows of 20. The killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, one day before Diwali, it commemorates the killing of the evil demon Narakasura, who wreaked havoc. Krishna's wife Satyabhama killed Narakasura during the Dwapara yuga. In another version of the belief, the demon was killed by Krishna or Krishna provoked his wife Satyabhama to kill Narshna, defeating Indradebated with the villagers about what their 'dharma' truly was. They were farmers, they should do their duty and concentrate on farming and protection of their cattle. He said that all human beings should do their 'karma' to the best of their ability and not pray for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan and held it up to protect the people and cattle from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as supreme. Although this aspect of Krishna's life is sometimes ignored[citation needed] it sets up the basis of the 'karma' philosophy later detailed in the Bhagavat Gita.Other events associated with Diwali include: Return of Pandavas after 12 years of Vanvas and one year of agyatavas (living incognito).

Diwali being the festival of lights, across India people celebrate it via symbolic diyas or kandils (colourful paper lanterns) as an integral part of Diwali decorations.

Diwali celebrations are spread over five days, from Dhanteras to Bhaiduj. In some places like Maharashtra it starts with Vasu Baras. All the days except Diwali are named according to their designation in the Hindu calendar. The days are:

Govatsa Dwadashi or Vasu Baras (27 Ashvin or 12 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Go means cow and vatsa means calf. Dwadashi or Baras means the 12th day. On this day the cow and calf are worshiped. The story associated with this day is that of King Prithu, son of the tyrant King Vena. Due to the ill rule of Vena, there was a terrible famine and earth stopped being fruitful. Prithu chased the earth, who is usually represented as cow, and ‘milked’ her, meaning that he brought prosperity to the land. Dhanatrayodashi or Dhan teras or Dhanwantari Triodasi (28 Ashvin or 13 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Dhana means wealth and Trayodashi means 13th day. This day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. It is considered an auspicious day for buying utensils and gold, hence the name ‘Dhana’. This day is regarded as the Jayanti (Birth Anniversary) of God Dhanvantari, the Physician of Gods, who came out during Samudra manthan, the churning of the great ocean by the gods and the demons.

Naraka Chaturdashi (29 Ashvin or 14 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Chaturdashi is the 14th day This was the day on which the demon Narakasura was killed by Krishna – an incarnation of Vishnu. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness (Gujarati: Kali Chaudas, Rajasthan : Roop Chaudas). In southern India, this is the actual day of festivities. Hindus wake up before dawn, have a fragrant oil bath and dress in new clothes. They light small lamps all around the house and draw elaborate kolams /rangolis outside their homes. They perform a special puja with offerings to Krishna or Vishnu, as he liberated the world from the demon Narakasura on this day. It is believed that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy Ganges. After the puja, children burst firecrackers heralding the defeat of the demon. As this is a day of rejoicing, many will have very elaborate breakfasts and lunches and meet family and friends.  Lakshmi Puja (30 Ashvin or 15 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Lakshmi Puja marks the most important day of Diwali celebrations in North India. Hindu homes worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings, and then light lamps in the streets and homes to welcome prosperity and well-being.

  Bali Pratipada and Govardhan Puja (1 Kartika or 1 Shukla Paksha Kartika) : In North India, this day is celebrated as Govardhan Puja, also called Annakoot, and is celebrated as the day Krishna – an incarnation of god Vishnu – defeated Indra and by the lifting of Govardhana hill to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods. For Annakoot, large quantities of food are decorated symbolizing the Govardhan hill lifted by Krishna. In Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it is celebrated as Bali-Pratipada or Bali Padyami. The day commemorates the victory of Vishnu in his dwarf form Vamana over the demon-king Bali, who was pushed into the patala. In Maharashtra, it is called Padava or Nava Diwas (new day). Men present gifts to their wives on this day. It is celebrated as the first day of the Vikram Samvat calendar, in Gujarat.

    Yama Dwitiya or Bhaiduj (also Bhayyaduj, Bhaubeej or Bhayitika) (2 Kartika or 2 Shukla Paksha Kartika): on this day, brothers and sisters meet to express love and affection for each other (Gujarati: Bhai Bij, Bengali: Bhai Phota). It is based on a story when Yama, lord of Death, visited his sister Yami (the river Yamuna). Yami welcomed Yama with an Aarti and they had a feast together. Yama gave a gift to Yami while leaving as a token of his appreciation. So, the day is also called 'YAMA DWITIYA'. Brothers visit their sisters’ place on this day and usually have a meal there, and also give gifts to their sisters

Goddess Lakshmi Puja

Main article: Lakshmi Puja

Diwali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marked the closing of accounts for businesses dependent on the agrarian cycle, and is the last major celebration before winter. Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.There are two legends that associate the worship of Lakshmi on this day. According to the first legend, on this day, Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans, Samudra manthan. The second legend (more popular in western India) relates to the Vamana avatar of the big three Vishnu, the incarnation he assumed to kill the demon king Bali. On this day, Vishnu came back to his abode the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being.[11]

As per spiritual references, on this day "Lakshmi-panchayatan" enters the Universe. Vishnu, Indra, Kubera, Gajendra and Lakshmi are elements of this "panchayatan" (a group of five). The tasks of these elements are:

    Lakshmi: Divine Energy (Shakti) which provides energy to all the above activities.

    Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction)

    Kubera: Wealth (generosity; one who shares wealth)

    Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth)

    Gajendra: Carries the wealth

    Saraswati: Knowledge

Diwali is not only celebrated by Hindus; it is also a Sikh festival. Hindus celebrate Diwali because of the Ram Sita story; however, Sikhs celebrate Diwali as it marks the Chhorh Divis. This was when the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, released 52 Hindi kings out of prison.

 

Diwali

Diwali 2012

DIWALI CELEBRATES TO VICTORY OF THE GOOD OVER THE EVIL AND LIGHT OVER DARKNESS. IS HAS A MAJOR RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE FOR HINDUS, SIKHS AND JAINS ALIKE - NOT ONLY IN INDIA, BUT ALSO FOR INDIANS LIVING ABROAD. IN THE WESTERN (GREGORIAN) CALENDAR, DIWALI FALLS ON A DAY IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER EVERY YEAR - JUST AFTER THE MONSOON SEASON IN INDIA. THE EXACT DATE VARIES AND IS BEING CALCULATED BASED ON THE HINDU LUNI-SOLAR CALENDAR (ACCORDING TO THE POSITIONS OF THE SUN AND THE MOON). THE DAY OF DIWALI FALLS ON ASHVINA AMAVASYA (THE LUNAR DAY OF NEW MOON) ON 15 ASHVIN (HINDU MONTH). THIS DATE ALSO MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE HINDU NEW YEAR, AND MANY BUSINESSES IN INDIA STARTING A NEW ACCOUNTING YEAR ON THE DIWALI HOLIDAY.

DIWALI IS A FESTIVAL OVER 5 DAYS. ON THE FIRST DAY (DHANTERAS) PEOPLE PRAY TO GODDESS LAXMI FOR PROSPERITY AND WEALTH. THE SECOND DAY (CHOTI DIWALI) IS ALSO KNOWN AS 'SMALL DIWALI', 'NARAKA CHATURDASHI' OR 'KALI CHAUDAS' IN SOME STATES. ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, LORD KIRSHNA KILLED THE EVIL DAEMON NARAKASURA ON THIS DAY. PEOPLE WORSHIP GODDESS LAKSHMI AND LORD RAMA. THE THIRD DAY IS THE ACTUAL DAY OF DIWALI. MANY DEVOTEES VISIT THEIR TEMPLES FOR WORSHIPPING LAKSHMI, GODDESS OF BEAUTY, WEALTH AND WISDOM WITH LAXMI POOJAS AND ALSO PRAY TO GANESH, THE 'LORD OF BEGINNINGS' AND 'REMOVER OF OBSTACLES'. WHEN AARTI IS PERFORMED, OIL LAMPS WITH A COTTON WICK ARE PLACED ON A PUJA THALI AND OFFERED TO THE DEITIES, PRAISING THE DEITY BY SINGING WONDERFUL AARTI SONGS. AT NIGHT PEOPLE LIGHT UP LITTLE OIL LAMPS CALLED DIYAS, DIPA LIGHTS OR GHEE LAMPS AND PLACE THEM AROUND THEIR HOUSES. THEY HANG COLORFUL LANTERNS AND FAIRY LIGHTS, ENJOYING FIREWORK DISPLAYS OR BLASTING FIRECRACKERS. THE FORTH DAY PADWA IS 1 KARTIKA IN THE HINDU CALENDAR AND IS ALSO KNOWN AS GOVARDHAN PUJA OR ANNAKOOT. IT IS SAID THAT KRISHNA DEFEATED THE GOD OF RAIN AND THE HEAVENS INDRA ON THAT DAY. HE LIFTED MOUNT GOVARDHANA TO SAVE PEOPLE'S LIFE FROM THE FLOODS. ON THIS DAY PEOPLE COOK MOUNTAINS OF FOOD RESEMBLING MOUNT GOVARDHANA. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER LEGEND FOLLOWED IN SOUTH-INDIA, VISHNU DEFEATED THE DEMON-KING BALI ON THIS DAY. FINALLY THE FIFTHS AND LAST DAY OF DIWALI IS CALLED 'BHAIDUJ' BHAI DOOJ  ALSO KNOWN AS 'YAMA DWITIYA'. THIS IS THE DAY FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS. JUST LIKE YAMI PRAYED FOR HER BROTHER YAMA (GOD OF DEATH), SISTERS ARE PRAYING FOR THEIR BROTHER'S WELL-BEING ON THIS DAY, AND BROTHERS GIVE LITTLE GIFTS TO THEIR SISTERS IN RETURN.

ON DIWALI FAMILIES GATHER AND EATING LOTS OF FOODS AND SWEETS. IT IS ALSO COMMON TO SEND DIWALI GREETING CARDS TO FAMILY MEMBERS, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. RECENTLY HOWEVER IT IS BECOMING MORE POPULAR TO SEND DIWALI ECARDS OR DIWALI SMS. DIWALI MELA (FAIRS) TAKE PLACE NOT ONLY IN INDIA, BUT IN MANY COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD. SELLERS OF HANDICRAFT AND ARTWORKS LIKE TO RENT A BOOTH ON A DIWALI MELA TO OFFER THEIR ITEMS FOR SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND VENUES FOR THIS EVENT CAN RANGE FROM SMALL COMMUNITY HALLS TO THE SIZE OF A WHOLE STADIUM LIKE IN THE CASE OF THE DIWALI MELA 2012 IN DALLAS, TEXAS, USA IN THE COTTON BOWL STADIUM (DATE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, 2012/TIME: 4PM TO MIDNIGHT) WITH APPROX. 100,000 ATTENDEES..

diwali