Diwali is a “festival of lights,” recognised as a national holiday in Fiji as well as other parts of the World.
The term Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit term Dipavali, which means lighting candles in a series of rows.
The story of Diwali comes from the Hindu religion, where Lord Rama returns to his kingdom after vanquishing an army of demons and people begin spontaneous celebrations in his honour, lighting their houses with lamps and candles to celebrate this victory of good over evil.
This tradition continues to this day. The festival also marks the arrival of the New Year on the Hindu calendar wherein people pray to the goddess of wealth for their happiness and prosperity.
The celebration of Diwali also comes with the obligation of not only lighting candles in one’s own house but also lighting them in the houses of those who are less fortunate, making Diwali a bridge between the rich and the poor.
Most Diwali celebrations around the world focus on family and friends. In Fiji, as Diwali approaches, people clean their home to escape bad luck in the upcoming year and families gather for a feast and stay up late, celebrating with the help of crackers and sweets.
We believe that the Hindu goddess of good luck visits homes that are brightly lit. Fireworks displays have become an integral part of Diwali celebrations both in Fiji and around the world, all the more because the festival takes place around the night of the new moon (Amavasya).
Diwali, festival of lights, is knocking on the doors once again this year. Children become excited with the arrival of Diwali festival. And the reason for their happiness is that they get crackers and fireworks to celebrate the festival.
But, playing with fireworks requires a lot of safety. A little carelessness can become dangerous and the festival of happiness may convert to tragedy. So, while playing with fireworks, one should be attentive, so that no one is physically harmed nor the property damaged. Learn about the safety and precautionary steps to be followed while playing with fireworks on Diwali. Follow them and make it a happy Diwali for yourself and your loved ones.
Below is a simple guide for children to play with fireworks:
Adult supervision
Each child should play with fireworks under the supervision of an adult. Young children should listen to their parents and guardians when playing with fireworks. They should not escape the eyes of adults to play with the fireworks alone. Since children are small, they would not be able to understand the results of handling fireworks carelessly. Therefore, it is the responsibility of adults to ensure children understand the shortcomings of mishandling fireworks.
Proper arrangement of water, sand and fire extinguisher
Before the family starts enjoying the fireworks, ensure there is a sufficient amount of water and sand nearby. Water, sand or even a fire extinguishers are used to extinguish the fire from spreading further. If, in case, some undesired event occurs, it may be solved quickly within the niche of time.
Play in an open area
Fireworks should always be played outside the home. The sparks from the fireworks may damage the household items if played inside. Sometimes, a small spark becomes the reason for huge loss. So, parents should say strictly “no” to play with the fireworks inside the home.
Moral values from Diwali festival
* Removes darkness to bring light in our life.
On this day, people light diya and candles to remove darkness of the night but we forget to remove the darkness from our soul. We need to bring wisdom to dispel inner darkness and we need to bring consciousness to remove unconsciousness from our life. Let the light of wisdom remove the inner darkness not only from us but also from this planet.
* Remove negativity to bring positivity in our life.
On this day, we clean our homes to welcome the Goddess Laxmi in our home. But we forget to clean our hearts from negativity so that God can reside in our hearts.
So resolve to let go of bad habits, negative thoughts and wrong friends. Being more loving and less self-centered is the way to invite God in our life.
* Have patience
Every ordeal comes to an end. No matter how long the wait. Time changes and nothing lasts forever. So if you are on the right path then keep on moving without worrying about the length of journey.
One day it will come to an end and you will be remembered for your patience and good deeds. We should take inspiration from Lord Rama not only for his patience but also for living a life of dharma and virtue.
* Share to bring joy in everyone’s lives.
On this day, people prepare sweets and share them with their friends, relatives and neighbours. This adds a lot of joy and festivity in the air. It is a lesson for us to share whatever good or extra we have with the less privileged people. In the inner world, whatever we share increases and whatever we hoard decreases with time. So this Diwali, buy some gifts for poor people or for people who are working under you to make their Diwali also special and full of sweetness.
* Make a new beginning in life.
On Diwali, we buy new clothes and utensils. Many shopkeepers start their new account or balance sheet. Let us resolve on this day to live a loving, peaceful and spiritual life. It is never too late to start afresh and make a new beginning. After all, today is the first day of the rest of your life. So on this Diwali, have a determined resolution to begin something positive in your life.
I wish everyone a happy and flourishing Diwali.
* Ravinesh Prasad is a lecturer in education at the School of Education, College of Humanities and Education at the Fiji National University. The views expressed are his own and not of this newspaper nor the institution he works for.
