Deepawali: A Festival Celebrated at the Cost of Lost Childhood in Fire Cracker Factories

Deepawali is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals in India. People make numerous plans to celebrate it with great pomp and show. Children in particular look forward to burn fire crackers, wearing new dresses. Their parents make it a point that they buy enough fire crackers for their children, which can last for at least 3-4 days.

When I was small, I too loved to burn as many fire crackers as possible. I always counted the number of crackers given to me and that to my sister to see whether I got an equal number of fire crackers or not. However, as I grew up, I came to know the cruel story behind all that brightness and sound of fire crackers. It was alarming to know that children of my age were made to work in fire cracker factories for countless number of hours.

Poverty and parental negligence compelled numerous children in the age group of 10-16 years to work in a hazardous place like a fire cracker factory. As the process of making fire crackers involves dangerous raw materials and techniques, the life of children are always at a grave risk. The fire factory owners allure small children from poor families to work for them in return of just a few rupees. For these children, Deepawali does not mean fun and enjoyment.

Today, I no more burn fire crackers and also discourage other people to burn them. How can we even think of celebrating Deepawali by burning fire crackers at the cost of innocent lives? There are many other ways to celebrate it. For instance, you can worship Goddess Lakshmi, distribute gifts and sweets among your relatives and friends, and also buy new things for your home. Today, with increasing number of people buying fire crackers on Deepawali, it no more signifies the triumph of the truth over evil. Rather, it is more of a celebration that encourages child labour and that too, in extremely gruelling conditions. In a way, people who burn crackers on Diwali are becoming a part of the exploitation of innocent children.

This Deepawali, if you are planning to burn fire crackers with your family, think one more time. This is because your decision to abstain yourself from burning crackers may go a long way in promising a better future to numerous unfortunate children, who are forced to forget their childhood and work in fire cracker factories. Government may have taken stringent steps to curb child labour, but it is you who can make a difference.

Karva Chauth: A Glamourized Festival that is Popular Even Amongst the Younger Generation

As I am unmarried, I have never celebrated the festival of Karva Chauth. However, this festival has always fascinated me for its inherent charm and significance. What is even more exciting is its glamorous status in today's time. This is the result of increasing interest of companies in this festival, who see it as a great opportunity to market their products and services. Now, it is not only Diwali that witnesses intensive marketing by big companies, but also the festival of Karva Chauth.

Many companies have started offering their products and services with attractive schemes to people who are looking for ideal gift items for their wives. I For instance, I have seen one of my friends waiting eagerly for Karva Chauth as her husband always gives her expensive gift items on this particular day. It has become customary for husbands to offer gifts to their better halves on this auspicious occasion. So, companies are also targeting people who celebrate Karva Chauth with great pomp and show.

Last week I went to a nearby mall. I could find that every shop was beautifully decorated for the occasion of Karva Chauth. The jewelry and saree shops were offering special discounts and other attractive schemes. Even restaurants were advertising special delicacies for the couples who love to dine outside on the night of Karva Chauth. Some renowned beauty salons and clinics, with international fame were also seen targeting customers with their special beauty packages, leave aside the local beauty parlours. One thing is clear, husbands now do not require to indulge themselves into too much of thinking while deciding an attractive gift for their wives. The market is ready with numerous options, suiting every budget.

Another recent trend that I have observed is the increasing participation of young generation in this festival. This is indeed surprising because our hectic life schedule and western influence have made us, particularly our young generation, to forget many festivals. There are many people who do not even know the significance and essence of many festivals, which we have been celebrating for ages. In such a scenario, it is surprising to find young generation celebrate the festival of Karva Chauth for their loved ones. Even many of my unmarried friends keep this fast for their to-be-husbands. What ever be the reason, it is good to see that Karva chauth still holds importance in the lives of old and young alike.

Dussehra Celebrations might turn sour this year

My friend has come all the way from London to celebrate Dussehra and Diwali with us in India. He loves the way festivals are celebrated in India. The pomp and gaiety of festive celebrations in our country is known all over the world.

My friend asked me to visit a nearby Ramlila. I was a bit reluctant in going to Ramlila initially as there is a huge crowd over there but as he pushed me hard, I took him there. I was really surprised to find a lesser number of people over there. At first I thought that it is yet another cause of the latest Mall culture in Delhi where people prefer to go for shopping, watching movies, having dinner or just chilling out. Who has time to visit these crowded, noisy places like Ramlila? But then after looking at the tight Police security in the Ramlila ground, I realised what is the exact cause for this. The number of blasts that took place in different parts of Delhi in last few days have seriously affected the usual Ramlila celebrations. Although, Delhi Police has tightened its security system but people are scared and prefer to stay at their homes only. Since so many years, Ramlila is considered as an important part of Dussehra celebrations. It generally starts nine days before Dussehra. Be it rural or urban areas, people really cherish going to this fare. It is a place full of fun-filled activities such as riding on swings, eating street food, watching theatrical performance based on Lord Ram's life and lot more.

But, this year many people did not visit Ramlila. Terror has taken such a toll on Delhiites that they prefer to stay at their homes than enjoying themselves at such fares. I do not think many people will visit Ramlila on Dussehra too. They will rather prefer to watch the effigies burn on their Television sets. When Ramlila could not bring people out of their homes, who can expect the usual crowd and festive spirit during Diwali too. I am sure it can be a cause of concern for many who do good businesses during Diwali days.