DIWALI, the Festival of
Lights ushers in the season of happiness! It is the celebration of good over
evil. The celebration of the victory of positivity. Every year I celebrate this
year with my friend Saurav Mishra. This year was no exception to it. However,
the Festival of Lights brought in a whole new meaning in my life.
Saurav arrived early in
the morning and said, “Pravin, this year we would visit my cousin Arunav at his
house for the celebrations.”
I was a bit taken aback
as I had never heard about Arunav. I enquired with a questioning look, “Who is
Arunav? You never told me that you had a cousin named Arunav.”
Saurav smiled and
replied, “It’s never too late to make new cousins!”
I didn’t question him
further. During the day, we were busy with the customary rituals and in the
evening I told aunt Padma, “I am going with Saurav. I will be back by eight ‘o’
clock. Then, we would have dinner together.”
Saurav drove me in his
car and the two of us headed out. Evening had already veiled the sky above and
Aunt Padma got busy lighting the Diyas,
the tradition earthen lamps, around our house. We drove around the streets of
Mumbai and headed towards the outskirts. I wanted to know where we were going but
refrained from asking.
Around forty-five
minutes later we reached a colony which looked more like a congregation of Chawls. Saurav parked the car and the
two of us walked inside. The people of the colony had lit the lamps and the
entire atmosphere had a serene aura. Some of the families were lighting fire
crackers in the central courtyard.
A few old ladies who
were standing at a corner, welcomed us with, “The Rama of Kaliyug has arrived! Come, let us celebrate together.”
I didn’t understand the
meaning of their ecstasy and looked at Saurav. He smiled in return and escorted
me inside a large room by the courtyard. A middle-aged man walked up to us and
welcomed us inside the house. A woman came up and served us some refreshments.
Saurav spoke with the
middle-aged man, “Arunav, meet my friend Pravin. This year we would celebrate
Diwali together. Where is Diya? And where is Roshni? Call the others also. Let us
begin the fun!”
Arunav shook hands with
me and then Saurav and I went outside and joined the others in burning the
colorful fireworks. The cracking sounds mingled with the glaze of dazzling
colors filled the night sky. Old Bollywood songs were being played on a
loudspeaker. I liked the environment and got engrossed into it. Another lady
came and served us Ladoos. There was
a smile on everybody’s face.
Presently my eyes fell near
the door of the large room where we initially met Arunav. I don’t know when,
but a few children had come and gathered near the pavement. In the front stood
two young girls, around eight or nine years old. From their look I understood
that they were identical twins. Behind them, stood about ten more kids of
around the same age. However, something else was startling about them that
brought tears to my eyes.
I could see that all
these kids were blind! Yet, the stood and enjoyed the Diwali fireworks as if
they were witnessing the colorful displays with their own eyes. The joy on
their faces, the happiness in their expressions showed as if they were fully
engrossed in the celebrations. I stood like a stone and looked at these kids
for whom the Festival of Lights was a stark irony!
Arunav had come and
stood beside us. Saurav held my hand and said, “Those two identical twins are Diya and Roshni. They are Arunav’s daughters. However, from an early age
they had lost their visions! I first met Arunav when he came to work as an
electrician at our office. He doesn’t have the means to afford costly treatment
for his daughters.”
I kept looking at Saurav
while he continued, “When I approached my office’s CSR department for help,
they refused due to budgetary reasons. However, that day I pledged to myself
that I will make a difference myself!”
“Over the last six
months, I had worked relentlessly after my office hours to collect funds and
resources to help these kids. I had taken them to doctors who had assured that
a corneal replacement will bring the gift of light into the lives of these two
innocent girls!” Saurav was shaking with emotion while he spoke, “Those other children
who are standing with Diya and Roshni are students of the local blind
school where they study together. Some of their blindness can be cured while
the diseases of the others are incurable. I have pledged that I will do
everything to help them!”
Arunav added, “Sir, one
in every thousand child in India suffers from this disease. What is the use of
Diwali of these angels of God don’t see the gift of light? It is not because Diya and Roshni are my daughters, my heart pains for every other kid who
suffer. Look at their ecstasy, look at their excitement. They are feeling the
celebration of lights, but they cannot witness Diwali with their eyes!”
I felt something within
my heart that I cannot express in words. I smiled, went ahead and touched the
little angels and came back. I looked at Saurav and said, “Today, I promise you
Saurav that the Festival of Lights will have a new meaning for me too! Let us
hold hands to bring the gift of light into the lives of these innocent angels.
And if I ever forget, due to my amnesia, just show me a picture of Diya and Roshni.”
Saurav smiled and said, “Thanks
Pravin. If we can get a few people to join this cause, then truly it would the
homecoming of Rama!”
At night, I laid my head
on aunt Padma’s lap and cried. She passed her feeble fingers through my hair
and said to me, “Pravin, I am glad that you have joined hands for a deserving
cause. Even if I am not there, I know that you would continue to strive for it.
Wish you a HAPPY DIWALI.”
