Deep-wali-Diwali: Thoughtful Gifting and Meaningful Choices

By Dibya Prakash

I’m usually confronted with the question: What do I give for Diwali this year?

And all the answers that ever strike me limit themselves to the ever-prominent Diwali sweet soanpapdi or a box of chocolates to each household that we visit for exchanging gifts, wishes, and tokens of joy!

Diwali, which remains one of the most celebrated festivals in India, is not only looked forward to because of the festivity fervour that comes along but also because a usual family tends to have its ‘house-full’, home cleansed and decorated to the best of its form, glow risen to its optimum on the facades of the walls and corridors as well as the good omen that usually rings the doorbell with the revered goddess’s presence after the elaborate puja and ritual ceremony that are the order of the day.

This might be the affair in a common household yet another reason why Diwali is so eagerly awaited is the ‘Laxmi’ it is said to bring along. And a diya-seller would exactly know why Diwali is not only his Christmas but also his Eid, because his annual income gets hugely created because of how great his sales are on this very occasion!

Yet we, who happen to be privileged enough to adorn ourselves with new attires every year and decorate our houses with new series of luminescent bulbs arranged in an entirely new fashion each time, forget how replacing the very diyas with these lights can be, for these people. The very symbolism of Diwali; the diyas, has to be brought, keeping in mind the plight of these seasonal craftspersons, in whose lives, Diwali is literally and figuratively the day that can light up their entire existence.

So this Diwali, when you get attracted to buying bright lights or lamps for your terrace or balcony, remember and let the lesson reverberate deep that our choices here determine who gets to celebrate Diwali, while not just looking for a way to arrange a square-meal for the day but get a taste of the signature mithais, just for once!

Now, this brings me back to the question of what to give for Diwali this year: More than those sweets or chocolates that we write in our list of gifts, we need to broaden our approach and really think of gifts that bring smiles that are genuine and sparkle in the eyes, that no bulbs can equal!

Plants for elders

Now, as we contemplate gifts, let’s also consider the beauty of giving plants. Plants in pots are gifts that endure long, symbolizing growth, renewal, and life—that really resonate during Diwali. For our aged relatives, plants can also provide companionship and happiness, enhancing their living environments while reminding them of the strength of nature. It may brighten their home, and uplift their spirits, all while being a gift that continues to grow over time.

Therefore, as we celebrate Diwali this year, let us reflect on the true essence of this festival and the joy it brings to our lives. By choosing thoughtful gifts—whether it’s a cherished sweet, a box of chocolates, or even a nurturing plant—we can share not just material tokens, but heartfelt gestures that resonate deeply.

For our elderly loved ones, these gifts can symbolize care and connection, reminding them of the beauty in every moment. And honouring the artisans who bring light to our celebrations and cherish the simple joys of life together, would instil in our elderly a sense of ability to extend support, in whatever ways they can, to these underprivileged sections.

They would know that their choices have not only lit the lives of those who light up our lives, but also find a way of accepting how significant their contribution can be, in this light.

So this Diwali, let’s fill our homes with warmth, our hearts with gratitude, and our gatherings with laughter, while making choices that are thoughtful and sustainable, all the while!

(The column Metamorph with Dibya appears every Friday. To mark Diwali, this week, the column is being published on Thursday.)

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