Deepavali: let's celebrate the significance of light
Crackers have made a lot of noise in the supreme court as the festival of lights came close. Supreme Court has taken a tough stance against crackers this time. It has banned full time bursting of crackers by putting a time cap on this. And in cities like Delhi, crackers are totally banned. Air pollution in Delhi has reached alarming levels. Crackers have contributed to rising levels of air and noise pollution in the country per se. No sooner did the SC give it's verdict on this issue based on environmental concerns, Sangh Parivar and some political parties are making sounds louder than the crackers. They are deeming this as an attack on hindu dharma! They are carrying a message to people that there is a close link between crackers and festivals. Indian festivals share close bonds with nature and its cycles. Common people have been responding to the changing rhythms of nature by celebrating festivals. Agriculture is the main focus behind these festivals and they are celebrated accordingly.
Festivals are about worshipping air, water, river, soil, land, agriculture and basically everything that keeps the life going. With the interference of vaidika approach, these simple celebrations turned into traditions and turned against the spirit of nature. Let's take the case of rivers and lakes. They are the lifeline of the agrarian class. Hence they called them as mothers and goddesses. But the priestly class turned folklore into traditions. There is a difference between agraians calling the water bodies as gods and priestly class's inference as thus. Priests linked mythological stories to rivers such as Ganga and called her a goddess. They made people believe the dead would attain salvation of their bodies were disposed off in river Ganga. As a result of that, Ganga river is so polluted today that even if one spends thousands of crores the river cannot be cleaned up. The water cannot be consumed. Chauti is a festival celebrated by agrarian community who'd put together all the crop they had grown into the shape of Ganesha and worship it before it was consumed. This was their way of respecting the nature and expressing their gratitude for her gift of bounty.
Ganeshotsava today has been hugely politicised. It is now a public festival. Just one look at our lakes and rivers after Ganeshotsava can reveal where the celebrations have landed us. In the past, festivals taught us to respect the nature and be grateful for what we have received from her. But today, the same festivals are pushing us to abuse the nature. If authorities tell people not to immerse the idols in lakes, politicians instigate people telling them this is an assault on their religious freedom. They hide the fact that protecting and respecting water bodies is very much part of Indian tradition as much as celebrating a festival is. The name Deepavali itself is self descriptive. The festival is about celebrating the light and not the cantankerous sound. Mythology yields to Deepavali celebrated by the priestly class. But the folklore has different tradition to its rendering of the festival. Their festival does not come from mythology but from agriculture. They worship the harvest by placing lit lamps before them. This is the time when darkness has to end in the celebration of light. Prosperity enters home as a rich harvest.
The small live lamps heighten the spirit of Deepavali. Crackers only make noise. Much like our politicians and religious leaders’ speeches. Sound cannot eradicate the darkness inside our souls. It burns to make loud noises. That brightness never lasts long. After a cracker has died, the things that remain are darkness, dust and bad smell. None of them represent the Deepavali that we know, instead they represent whatever the festival seems to abhorr. For the same reason, it is important to light lamps than burst crackers on the occasion. That is like upholding the spirit of the festival.
There is also a practice of welcoming the prosperity and fruits of labour by lighting lamps. But when we burst crackers, we'd be reducing the prosperity to dust. Instead of sharing our richness with the poor in our neighborhood, we would be reducing money to nothing but ashes. We would be insulting goddess of wealth by doing this. And in the meantime, we'd also be polluting water, air and the environment around us. More than 200 children lose eyesight every year in our state alone, owing to crackers. Our festivals should end the darkness and fill our hearts with light. But owing to crackers, a lot of lives are being filled with permanent darkness. No one can blame the festival for this darkness that affects their lives forever. It has turned into a curse because we have chosen crackers over lamps.
Manufacturing crackers is a big business and a mega industry. People who make explosives are also part of this business. Miscreants are very much part of this racket. Which is why politicians and miscreants need these explosive manufacturing facilities to remain in existence. They need the front of Deepavali to run their businesses. This is exactly why we need to understand the spirit of the decision given by the Supreme Court and celebrate Deepavali more meaningfully to brighten up our homes and hearts.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
