Diwali is the festival of lights. Then why do we install electric pylons?

Er. Jayesh Rane

(The writer can be reached at jayeshsrane1@gmail.com)

Diwali and electricity-powered lighting are equivalent.

Every year, new types of electric pylons and lights are introduced to the market to attract customers. Consumers also take it. This means they have access to a good market. That is why every year new products running on electricity appear on the market. Every state celebrates a big festival. Like Shree Ganeshotsav in Maharashtra and Navratri in Bengal and Gujarat. During the festive period, there is a lot of lighting. It can be said that all this starts with the period of Shree Ganeshotsav in Maharashtra. Lord Ganesha arrives at the village and city houses. At that time, the arrangement of electric pylons as well as other coloured electric bulbs is preferred. For that, they are purchased in large quantities from urban areas. Such a picture is seen everywhere in the state.

As Diwali approaches, the question arises: where are the electrical pylons in the house? Are they in good condition? It is verified, and if any defects are found, a new pylon is purchased directly. With the excitement of Diwali, shopkeepers are looking at how they can get a little more money through pylons, and customers are insisting on reducing rates. But since the shopkeepers have a crowd of customers, they are firm on the price they fix. So, if the pylon can be purchased at the stated price, then it is stopped there; otherwise, where else do you get pylons at a low price? A few more shops are visited for this.

No warranty is given on any electrical pylon. There is a different fear in the mind that the pylon running in the shop should not be closed after going home. Because the shopkeeper has already warned, ‘This item is not guaranteed.’ Still, the pylon is purchased at the risk of financial loss. If it works, it works; otherwise, it doesn’t. The money spent on it was considered wasted. This is the understanding given to the mind.

In some cases, these pylons last for 4–5 years. But all this is not reliable.

Now is the age of instant, and it has a cute name called the Modern Age. Everything should be controlled at the fingertips without getting up, e.g., AC turns on when the remote button is pressed. Also, pressing the button turns on any electrical device. But it would be good if such devices were available so that one did not have to move even to press the button. Such a mentality has happened. China outsmarted Indians in the early days with small electronic devices. Many people fell into this trap and eventually got used to it and could not live without these ‘use and throw away’ products made in China. Especially on Diwali, the impression of this is clearly visible. Through 365 days, Chinese food is consumed with relish. Chinese dishes appeared at events like weddings, birthdays, etc. China, with its expansionist stance, began to intrude into Indian border areas. Deadly attacks on soldiers occurred. But the Indian soldiers gave them a tight fight and beat up those ‘one and a half feet’. China has remained where it is and continues to make Indians dance to its own tune through the marketplace. It has had good success in that regard. The negative effect of the boycott on Chinese goods in India had to be suffered by China in the form of economic loss. However, China’s dominance in the Indian market has not completely disappeared.

Diwali is a festival celebrated in India on a grand scale. But China has gotten hold of it. Doesn’t it hurt? Why are we so obsessed with China? Today, it has become such a situation that Chinese electric pylons are placed on the doors of houses during Diwali. They have electric lights on the threshold. Where has our pylon made of wool gone? Where have the earthen lamps, the marigold flowers, and the mango leaf garlands on the woollen pylons of the door disappeared? Instead of wool pylons, pylons with plastic marigold flowers became desirable. This is called giving 100% importance to the use of artificial objects over natural ones. In Mumbai, marigold, or genda flowers in Hindi, did not get a good price on the occasion of Dussehra. The price was 80–100 rupees per kg in the retail market. Other times, during festivals, it goes up to Rs 150 per kg. Some farmers had to throw away the flowers as the goods did not take off as expected, while others had to bear the loss considering the travel expenses of the tempo, food, and toll charges. Tell me, does anyone care? On one side, there were pylons of marigold flowers, and on the other side, there were plastic garlands of marigold flowers in the shop. The intrusion of China into the festival is also killing the farmers here.

If a product is rejected, China plans to introduce another new product in the market and bring it down the throats of customers. China has mastered the technique and is doing that. India is making progress. But the people here are failing to beat China back from the market. So we are not a hindrance to the progress of India? It should be looked at seriously. My country should always be on the path of progress. This is for the welfare of me and the country. The economic blockade of China is possible only if everyone feels like this. Otherwise, the dragon named China will become stronger on the money of Indians. This is what has happened so far.

The use of earthen lamps on Diwali has remained a mere formality. More emphasis is placed on electrical flashing lights. Therefore, electric lamps are installed even though there are no earthen lamps. Let’s honestly ask ourselves a question: “Do I really want to celebrate the festival traditionally?” If the answer is no, then it is very serious and needs to be answered. Diwali is the festival of lights. Why am I running behind artificial happiness instead of enjoying the festival of lights by bringing something artificial from the market? Artificial always lives up to its name and will never come close to natural satisfaction.

When there is no electricity, there is anxiety. During Diwali, electricity consumption is higher than usual due to the lighting of houses. When this load cannot be borne, the electricity suddenly goes off, and darkness spreads everywhere. In such a case, only those earthen lamps that use oil are useful. They keep the darkness away and make the area free from darkness. Then it is entirely in our hands to follow the runner or to light up Diwali by using the earthen lamps that give light in a steady and calm manner.

Leaders do not miss the opportunity to shine on this festive occasion. If not, how can they be political leaders? Some offer packets of ubton (used during Diwali Abhyangasnaan). There are photos of many leaders on it. Should we do the Diwali Abhyangasnaan with the same ubton? At other times, the faces seen on the hoardings in the areas also appear on the packets of the ubton. This is not required. Even if these packets are not received, people still take Abhyangasnan. It is not at all possible to take Abhyangasnan using the ubtan given by them. The political gimmicks on the occasion of festivals are shocking.

Deepotsav is celebrated in many places during Diwali. Many earthen lamps are used. A lot of photographs are taken by attending the place to witness the Deepotsav. The mind feels extremely satisfied by looking at the lights, so the mind is attracted to such places. A boycott of Chinese goods is a must. Also, it is important that I celebrate Diwali according to Diwali. Points are mainly involved in this festival, like the procession of relatives, sweets, new clothes, lighting of the area with oil-used earthen lamps, construction of forts, etc. Let’s keep this in mind and enjoy Diwali.

Diwali means the lighting of the lights. Lamps are made by placing a cotton wick in an earthen lamp and lighting it with oil. But to do this, one has to do simple work to turn the wick, and who will do this simple work for a few seconds? Put oil in the lamp. Put a wick in it every day. Wick is also available readymade in the market. But they feel unwanted. Wax lamps are applied. There is also artificiality. Why are we so lazy? When the button is pressed, the electric pylon turns on. It is considered satisfactory. The real Diwali is celebrated only with the help of earthen lamps. It is neglected out of laziness.