Diwali 2014

HAPPY DIWALI: Barfis for all from Jagmohan Papneja

Lord Ram and his retinue return to Ayodhya today. It takes them every year 20 days to travel the distance from Sri Lanka after making mincemeat of the demon king, Ravan on Vijaya Dashami day. Such is the belief. And it is in celebration of Ram’s homecoming that strings of lamps and firecrackers are lit on Diwali.
Today is also the day when the benign Goddess Durga (Parvati, if you like) assumes a fierce form and appears as Goddess Kali – hair open and blow-dried, with a garland of skulls around her neck and a belt of dismembered human limbs around her waist – red tongue hanging out and brandishing an unsheathed sword dripping with blood. Such is the belief.

Bihari Milwani

And it is to invoke her blessings that many are also celebrating Kali Puja today.
At the Garden though, our celebrations were contained to distribution of sweets, thanks entirely to Jagmohan Papneja. Were it not for him, our Diwali would have gone dry. He had brought the barfis not only for us, but for every single person in the Garden – such is his large-heartedness and more importantly, the spirit of festive cheer that he so thoughtfully ushered in early morning.
After this surprise treat, the Diwali celebrations slated for tomorrow have been rendered redundant. And Monthi Serrao will not be dipping into the Club’s funds (ref yesterday’s post) for the moment. But this decision was taken for good reason and was appreciated by all present. We now have to find a better reason to spend the Club’s money!
Meanwhile, in keeping with the current exodus of members, Bihari Milwani today took off for Bournemouth, U.K. to meet his grandson. He sends his Diwali greetings and says he’d be back on November 10. Let us also wish him a Happy Diwali as well as a safe and enjoyable trip.
Renu Babani:
Wishing everyone a happy Diwali and prosperous New Year -- a year filled with peace, joy and everlasting happiness!!!
Jagmohan Papneja
The reasons behind celebrating Diwali differ from one state to another and this has been outlined in the blog. But it is the festival of lights even today and projects our rich and glorious past.