Enriching Lives With Light and Hope

Desmond Tutu once said, "Hope is being able to see the light despite all the darkness". On the similar line Roy T. Bennett quoted, "Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone's life.. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance."

In India and all around the world we celebrate the festival of Diwali around this time. It is a festival of light and hope. According to Hindu mythology, lighting a diya indicates dispelling away darkness – not external, the one that lies deep within ourselves. This festival is about evoking the positive qualities in yourself and using them to make the world a better place to live in. If we make time to look around we will see many opportunities where simple acts of random kindness can create a ripple effect. Charity begins at home and so does any good initiative. Let us be appreciative and reach out to our helpers and caretakers at home who probably cannot celebrate Diwali in the way we do. Wouldn’t it be great if they could have good clothes and sweets as well or even a day off to celebrate Diwali with their families. While we light up our homes we can reach out to those who are homeless. What we take for granted are things they would dream of having. Abandoned children living in orphanages and senior citizens living in homes for the aged can see the lights, hear the laughter but do not experience the joys we do. Sharing sweets, toys, gifts and more importantly our time would make them feel loved. Reading to them, playing games, sharing a meal with them, lighting diyas, creating beautiful rangolis and sometimes just lending a listening ear is all they need. This Diwali, let us donate education materials to less privileged children and be a part of their journey to a better life. If we have the means, we can also partner with homes and sponsor a child's education.

During the festive season, lighting firecrackers can be a treat to the eyes but the loud noises disturb animals and birds, some even get killed due to careless use of firecrackers. Let us try to arrange a sound-proof shelter for the street animals this Diwali or burst firecrackers in a responsible manner for their sake. In fact instead of lighting crackers and contributing to pollution, why not make the earth a greener and safer place for people around and for animals by planting trees this Diwali and pledge to take care of them.

Diwali is a beautiful festival of togetherness with family and friends. Let us not forget that the world is one family - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Diwali gives us many opportunities to step out and extend a hand to the not so privileged people, to give to them what we receive in abundance. To touch their lives so that we can spread the light of joy and light the torch of hope for a better future that awaits us all. Let the spirit of light and hope last not just for the festive season but be instilled in our very being every day.

Aarushi Chakraborty, Class 6B,Creator