12 Things We Need To Remind Ourselves Of This Diwali

It is sad, and I feel awful admitting it, that our generation has forgotten the idea of Diwali.

For us, Diwali is the time to organise card parties and drink alcohol. When people talk of Diwali, they say, 'oh-yes, my friend is organising a booze and card party. Just like last year. We are going to drink all night and played teen patti.' Now, from where I see it, it sounds boring. By the way, what's new about drinking alcohol? You can drink alcohol any time you want. Of course, Diwali is the time to celebrate, but there's so much more to it.

I'd still like to believe that. All we need is to remind ourselves what Diwali is really about. These 12 pointers will help.

1. If you¡¯ve been prioritising card parties, over family reunions, then you¡¯re doing it wrong. Diwali is the time to celebrate togetherness.

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It's the time to leave your boyfriend alone for a day and allow him to enjoy time with his family. It is also the time to meet your grandparents and spend quality time with your mom and dad. Actually, you don't need a reason to spend time with parents, but if you're looking for one, Diwali should be good enough.

2. It is the festival to get over grudges and make amends with that friend you fought with for no reason.

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Diwali is the best time to make amends with your friends, relatives or colleagues. For instance, that fight you had with your neighbour over parking, it's time to let it go. Go wish them Diwali and it will be sorted.

3. Diwali is the time to call that friend, in another country, who is missing the festivities back home.

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4. It is the festival where you not only eat mithai, but share them with everyone.

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Step out of your house and distribute mithais to the needy. People will donate money and clothes, but Diwali is incomplete without sweets. Why not make someone's Diwali special?

5. It's to remind ourselves that DiwALI is incomplete without ALI and RAMzan is incomplete without RAM.

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Diwali is a festival that is beyond the disparities created by communalism. This Diwali, let's celebrate secularism.

6. Diwali is considered to be an auspicious time to start afresh. Thinking of that business idea, consider it now!

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Diwali is also celebrated as the Hindu New Year. It is considered the most auspicious time of the year.

7. It is the time to get to know people in your neighbourhood. Diwali encourages community celebration, and we should make it happen.

8. Diwali is not the time to do check ins on social media and click selfies, it's the occasion to do lakshmi puja, visit the temple, relatives, make ranglolis, light diyas and candles.

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This Diwali, maybe, take a day off from selfies?

9. You can go out for dinner anytime, but Diwali is about staying at home, decorate it and light it.

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10. The way you light every nook and corner of your house on Diwali, you can light other people¡¯s lives too.

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There are lot of people out there who need help. There are children in orphanages that would love to have some company on this auspicious occasion. There are people who come to deliver pizzas to you on your diwali, not everyone has the chance to celebrate Diwali like you do. Why not make their Diwali special?

11. Diwali is also about ¡®cleanliness.¡¯ Not only at home, but around us.

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Those crackers we burst leave behind torn off pieces of papers. When you order a pizza and dump the boxes outside your house. If you are spending hours cleaning your house, then why spend your valuable time throwing garbage on the road.

12. When Lord Rama came back to Ayodhya, no one welcomed him by bursting crackers. Then why should our Diwali be all about them?

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Isn¡¯ t that a good enough reason for us to not say no to crackers, this Diwali?

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