The other day a classmate asked
me, “Why do you celebrate Diwali?”
It was a simple question. A
question about Indian mythology. But I have been in an MBA programme for over 2
months now. How could I not self-reflect? ;)
To be fair, I never celebrated
Diwali because Lord Ram came back from his exile on this day. I mean, hurray, I
am glad he came back, but that’s not the reason why Diwali is my favourite
festival. I celebrate Diwali for the same reason you celebrate Eid or Christmas
or Hanukkah, and it has almost nothing to do with religion or mythology. My
reason of celebrating Diwali, grew with me.
As a 3-year old, I celebrated
Diwali because it meant my father would return from his high-altitude posting
in the Indian Army and spend his holidays with us. And this usually meant a new
cricket bat (Kashmir’s willow is of a very high quality). What I specifically
remember, is this specific scent, when he opened his bags. A scent, that I still
associate with festivities and family.
I celebrated Diwali then, because
it brought my dad home.
As a 6-year old, Diwali was about
these new shoes with lights – the ones that everyone at school was wearing.
They were expensive. My mom worked part-time as a teacher and she promised me
she would buy them for Diwali. I remember how she couldn’t stop smiling,
because I could not stop smiling.
I celebrated Diwali then, because
my mother looked proud.
As a 12-year old, Diwali was
about my best-friend since primary school. A friendship that blossomed into
love (or was it infatuation?). It was one-sided. As we shared the silliest
jokes, that made no one laugh, but us, Diwali was spent in the light-headed
euphoria of puppy love. She never got to know.
I celebrated Diwali then, because
I thought I was in love.
As a 15-year old, Diwali was
about watching fireworks with my first girlfriend. Yes, I was a late bloomer.
There was silence in the noise, that night.
I celebrated Diwali then, because
of the warm feeling of being wanted.
As a 19-year old, Diwali was
about perfecting this Indian art form called Rangoli with 70 other classmates. We
created a Ripley’s record that night. It was an achievement, not only because
of the beauty of our creation but also because of the invincibility of our
determination.
I celebrated Diwali then, because
of this unfathomable confidence of a teenager.
And finally, now, as a 26-year
old, I will celebrate Diwali with my classmates from 70 nationalities, united
by this common bond of LBS.
So, why would we celebrate Diwali
tonight?
Not because Lord Ram came back
from exile.
We would celebrate Diwali for the
same reason we would celebrate Eid or Christmas or Hanukkah.
To celebrate the diversity that
makes us, “US”.
Let’s get the party started, shall we?
