Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Oct 28: Even the incessant rains over the days before Dipawali, could not dampen the spirit behind the festival of lights as traditional earthen lamps along with coloured bulbs and candles radiated in hearth and homes with hopes of peace, joy and prosperity. The usual bursts of bombs and crackers were comparatively less this year as the sounds died down by midnight bringing relief to man and animals the latter, especially stray dogs who are scared stiff and run helter-skelter for unavailable cover and relief finally recovered some peace.
According to market reports, cracker stalls did quick business. The one time stall owners who do seasonal business had stocks comprising some left over from the last Dipawali season and fresh ones which were sold out in no time. But for those who deal in fire crackers throughout the year for other festivities including marriages, recorded high sales. The rains did not affect the stocks much though some were damp due to the moisture.
As for the customers, in spite of good sales recorded, they purchased less because of exorbitantly escalated prices shooting their budget as also for fear of damp items. Brajesh Kumar of Sakchi Tank Road said, �I couldn�t purchase enough for the high prices. My kids had to make do with whatever I could give them. Some of the crackers and rockets did not go off but most did. Yet, the spirit of joy was no less. I think, the same happened with other families as a result of which, the sound pollution was less this year.�
But there was a touch of a �darker tradition� that continues to be the metaphoric essence to the saying that there is always darkness beneath the lamp. Unfortunately, the darkness continues to prevail through time. Ill clad little boys and girls danced with joy as people in rich, new attire lighted lamps and burst crackers. They stood near houses and shared the joy of their more fortunate brethrens. Some kind soul even gave them some safer crackers which they accepted with glee. These kids of �a lesser God� have taken dark fate in their stride and by habit, share the happiness of joy of others as they watch the more blessed having a gala festive time. Some denizens, a few in number, even offer these �future citizens� bits and pieces of sweets which the innocent souls accept with gratuitous smiles.
Today early morning, the day after Dipawali festivities, the same children were seen �scavenging� for bits and pieces of un-burst crackers and spent clay lamps. Today will be their Dipawali, a poorer festival of lights but with a glitter of enhanced joy; for tomorrow would be another �traditional� day of slog and toil with bags over their shoulders rummaging for paper, plastic bags (still in use) and of course, empty bottles of liquid without which the festive spirit remains incomplete.
