There used be a time when about a month preceding Diwali preparations used to start. Homes were white washed and painted in wonderful colors. People used to gorge on sweets and barfis without thinking even once about their sugar levels or diabetes. Puris and jaleebis would be the delicacies which both children and adults used to feast on without keeping their cholesterol intake in mind. People used to burst the noisiest crackers without fearing the law or the ban. Indeed that was a time where emotions followed in full swing during this festive season. However much has changed since recent years.
During this festive season people used to organize bhajans and kirtans at their homes, they used to burst crackers and meet their friends and relatives. But this scenario has changed over the years, nowadays many nuclear families prefer going to malls and rave parties to celebrate the festive season. Also due to the strict laws noise free crackers are only promoted. Nowadays health conscious people are on a rise and everybody seems be taking note of what they are eating. The result is sugar free sweets and delicacies. In order to curb their cholesterol levels people are switching over to baked samosas and low oil recipes.
Traditional games like rummy have paved the way for newer variants like poker. Also instead of gold and silver items marketers have observed that people tend to buy more technological stuff like iPods, microwaves and T.V.s during such festive seasons, which explains various pre depawali offers. However gold and silver still remain the top favorites. Nalini Mihan, a mother of two married daughters residing in Delhi, remembers that she didn’t have to buy any gold for the marriage of their daughters “because she used to buy coins every Diwali.”
Also very noticeable changes nowadays are the different diwali games organized at various shopping malls to keep their customers engaged. A very famous event among them is the Rangoli Making Competition. Every year these malls come up with something or the other to give “a complete family experience.” It can range from beauty treatments for women and young ladies, games section discounts for kids and boys, and special discount offers for the male. No wonder these malls are laughing all the way to the bank. People have reported that during Diwali – malls can be a perfect getaway. Speaking of getaways many urban families nowadays prefers taking a short trip ranging from various locales. So, instead of getting in their traditional attires people are donning backpacks and casuals. It has been reported that there has been around 13% increase in international travel during Diwali over last year.
A lot of things have seen a change both in India and abroad.The way people behave and act during the festive season might have changed, but the essence remains the same. The tradition and methodology might have seen a change not the emotions attached.i.e. happiness and peace. Diwali has always been the festival of light and will continue to be so even in the future.
