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REFLECTIONS - Diwali takes on a new dimension				A Shopper's Bunker in Scorching Summer SK Rahman Nizam's Jewellery Lamp & Lampshades Drishti-2001 Red & White Awards Ganesh Chaviti Preparations Bharat Thakur Restoring Kothi Residency Bonalu Festival General Bazaar Saree Mela Smita Das- Civils topper Hitech-Ticket System International Good Neighbour Day Monda Market Bandhan wedding package Jaweed-Vegetable carver Heralding a New Life Bakrid - The festival of sacrifice Valentine's Day Hyderabad Industrial Exhibition Maaya 2000 Veeresh Babu Sankranthi Ramzan Blue Cross Junior Club Mangala's Mystique Miniatures Learning, the fun way Rapid Reading Kargil Mother, Kargil Wife Little Ambassador Acharya Sachidanand Tips for cooking Recipes Language and Demography Stress Pullareddy Sweets Motherhood General Tips Tips for Visitors Reflections       Others Transportation
The festival of lights has mellowed. Its 'no more crackers' for many and gambling and extravagance is passe. Tradition be blown. People have realized that commercialization had made Diwali a festival of mindless revelry with a vulgar display of wealth and riches. But not anymore !!! This season, the flavour of Diwali had a dash of the spirit of thanksgiving too. People made a conscious effort to quieten, simplify and individualise their Diwali. Families had taken time off from their hectic schedules to painstakingly plan and prepare sweets, while at the same time bonding like a family. Of course there were those who still went out and bought their festive eats, but its just not the same as doing it the traditional way. Home pujas too were simpler affairs and were used as mediums to spread positive energy, spirituality and bond with family and friends. The festival of lights has turned into an assimilated experience with some tradition and a lot of freedom. Catering to the ritualistically challenged some music companies had recorded pujas, aartis and shlokas on tape along with thoughfully accompanied little books explaining details of the various pujas. Quick ways to usher the pandit out of life!!! Gifts too, are no longer thought of as symbols of wealth and power, but mutual exchanges where it is the thought that counts. Celebrating Diwali away from home on holiday has become a popular choice too. Instead of sticking to age old tradition, many people preferred to holiday and at the same time have a happy Diwali by just being together. Hotels reported a surge in occupancy during the festival season including on Diwali day. Most importantly, the anti-cracker campaign  had a profound impact on the lives of people. They not only realized the adverse effects of crackers for health and safety reasons, but are now more aware of the dangers and also the effect it might have on the environment. Moreover, people are now aware that cracker manufacturers hire little children and hence contribute to an increase in child labour in our country. The trend now is to buy Diwali stuff from places where the proceeds go to charity. Finally, the true meaning of this beautiful celebration has come to light. And it has added to the fun.   - Nandita Fernandes |