M Ahmad
Diwali (also: Deepawali) is one of India’s biggest festivals. The word ‘Deepawali’ means rows of lighted lamps. It is a festival of lights and Hindus celebrate it with joy. During this festival, people light up their houses and shops with Diyas (small cup-shaped oil lamps made of baked clay). People from other communities also join the brethren. The feeling of love, care and sharing, especially to those who require them more, is the true spirit of this and other such festivals. It’s an important occasion that marks the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Typically, families would prepare a variety of delectable sweet and savoury treats in different colors and flavors. Popular ones include ladoo, jalebi, gulab jamun and barfi. Families go to meet their loved ones and exchange gifts and sweets, burst firecrackers, have delicious traditional feasts and wear new clothes.
But what if this Diwali be celebrated with Specially-abled children owing to the fact that Diwali also means happiness. The happiness that encourages these children to be an important part of the Society we live in. This was done by 15 RR, Chinar Corps, B B Cantt Srinagar, Kashmir when they visited Abhedananda Home- School for Specially-abled children, at Solina, Srinagar prior to Diwali day. The children were surprised and happy to receive men in uniform that were too high officials. Such visits encourage these children to strengthen their determination to be like the visitors strengthen. They also desire to be the officials, bankers and like other public servants but need future guidance and moral support from their families, teachers and the Society. When you visit them, they shall show you their inner talent and academic achievements as they did during the visit of officials from Chinar Corps. The students interacted with them and shared their joy. These are the occasions to spare a few hours of a day to be with these children to provide them a chance to think about what they can do. The gifts shared with them become more valuable for them than a simple joy as they feel that they are so important that men come to them to pay gifts.
May this Diwali enlighten our hearts with the light that empowers us to commit to great deeds that in some way make the world around us a better place.
M Ahmad is Principal (I/C), Abhedananda Home-Higher Secondary Institution for Specially-abled children, Solina, Srinagar, Kashmir, and can be reached at abhome78@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
