Today we celebrate a very special day in the Hindu calendar. We do this every year on Diwali. That’s when Hindus around the world will celebrate the Festival of Lights.
Fijians will join millions of believers in upholding the values that go hand in hand with this special day.
The Associated Press news agency reported how millions of Indians began celebrating Diwali by symbolically lighting a record 2.51 million earthen oil lamps at dusk on Wednesday on the banks of the river Saryu in a northern Indian city they believe to be the birthplace of the deity, Lord Ram.
According to AP, a Guinness World Records team presented a certificate to Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, acknowledging the unprecedented number of oil lamps, exceeding last year’s 2.2 million. Drone cameras closely monitored the event.
The BBC reported how millions of Indians are celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights and one of the most important events in the Hindu calendar.
Fijians know how important this day is to Hindus. We know this because we have grown up alongside the faithful. We know it is an important day for them.
Some people continue to raise our differences in terms of ethnicity and religion. Sure, that’s the realty of our life in Fiji.
Yet even with our differences, many of us know and appreciate the traditions intertwined with this day, and we know this because as a nation we have embraced this special day annually.
We live in a country that is truly multi-racial. There may be walls that highlight ethnicity, gender and religion, however, they do not stop us from enjoying life together as Fijians.
We celebrate the various religious events in our own little ways. There is a deep appreciation of the importance of such events.
We acknowledge the importance of these events in our lives and the lives of our neighbours. We are unique in that sense. We appreciate one another even if we sometimes do not realise this, or understand it. It’s instinctive and is a great story about life in Fiji.
Diwali, among other things the faithful will relate to, is about families celebrating and performing traditional activities together at home.
It is about light and darkness, with emphasis on the triumph of good over evil. Diwali is a time to come together and work towards a brighter future.
It is about putting aside differences and celebrating with everyone in the community.
Diwali provides us an opportunity to reflect on our lives and work to become better individuals.
The faithful will see this as an opportunity to reflect on their lives, and try to live a better life that embraces all that is good. It is about overcoming negative emotions, and consideration for good values.
Whether it is a symbolic aspect of the celebration, this promotion of good over evil touches the very heart of who we are as human beings!
Perhaps this should also be an opportunity for many of us to appreciate and maybe learn about or understand what Diwali is all about, if we still do not know about it.
Considering the expected heavy use of lights and fireworks tonight, let us be mindful that accidents and sometimes fatalities can happen because people are unaware of or simply ignore safety hazards. Let us take precautions tonight and plan to be safe.
On behalf of The Fiji Times family, I say, may the happiness of Diwali be with you and your loved ones! A happy Diwali to you all!
