Diwali!

Originally posted on October 26, 2011.

Happy Diwali, everyone!

Today was a completely memorable day. In all the time I’ve been in India so far, this day has got to be close to the top of the best days list. One of the biggest holidays in India is Diwali (the Festival of Lights). Diwali is a Hindu holiday celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Diwali (or Deepavalli as it is also called) translates to “row of lamps” and even though it is a Hindu holiday, it is celebrated by all Indian people no matter what religion they are. Diwali is considered a family day where it is customary to wear new clothes, share ‘sweets’, and light off fireworks. It is a huge celebration that the kids had been talking about since the minute they got back to school from their fall holiday.From the moment we woke up, the day was jam packed full of activity and excitement. As the volunteers, we were in charge of making this day a good experience for the kids. When the children got back from quarterly leave, about 90% of them were very sad because they would not be able to spend Diwali with their families (think of it as missing Thanksgiving or Christmas, terrible). We began by doing an art project in the dining hall- Christmas ornament making to send to the kid’s sponsors- and although itgot pretty hectic and crazy (the biggest rainstorm I’ve witnessed and Lola the lamb running in and eating the finished ornaments), both the kids and the volunteers had a great time.

Evening came and all the volunteers trekked over to the housemothers for them to help us wrap our Saris (I was especially excited because this is the first time I would be wearing my own, and I have been very excited to try it out!). Then began the wonderful firework show. It basically went like this: all the kids lined up outside the Kid’s Hostel in their nicest clothes and the male staff at RSO put on a wonderful firework display for them. I love fireworks, but the thing that touched my heart the most was to witness the kindness of the other people who work at Rising Star. On a day that is supposed to be spent with family, Vikrum, Vel, Mani, and Mark (various members of the staff) took the time when they should have been home lighting fireworks with their own families to come to campus and put on a fireworks show for the kids. So many of the kids have either lost their fathers or have abusive fathers, and it was so touching to see the male staff (who really don’t have any obligation to the kids) happily sacrificing their time to take on the fatherly roll that so many of these kids are lacking. It is such a beautiful thing to witness true beauty and selflessness in other people.
Everyone dressed to impress, Diwali was an experience that I will never forget. It is thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers at RSO and the energy and excitement of these beautiful children. Celebrate everything you can in life!



Happy Diwali!

Vanakkum