Diwali-the festival of lights is around the corner. Preparations are in full swing! Houses, shops, offices, are being cleaned, de-cluttered and made anew for the festivities. People are busy shopping for clothes and gifts of value. The air is filled with excitement and festive fragrance. After a lull of 2 years caused by the pandemic, Diwali Celebration 2024 deserves to be special.

Observed on Amavasya (new moon day) in the lunar month of Kartik, Diwali is one of the most popular Indian festivals which symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali reminds us that when we collectively light the diyas, we transform a dark night into the brightest and happiest one.

This Diwali, let’s celebrate this symbolism. Let’s be the torchbearer to dispel the darkness of illiteracy, poverty, hunger, unemployment, pollution or any such evil that threatens our society and planet.

Here are 7 ways to make your Diwali celebration 2024 unique:

1. Donate on Diwali for a Child’s education

Diwali is a time when most of you are on a shopping spree to refresh your wardrobe, upgrade your home appliances, redo the interiors of your house and cheer your friends with lovely gifts. However, not everyone is fortunate to have such a dazzling Diwali.

There are hundreds of poor and marginalized kids who are longing for one such special day in their life. This Diwali, be the light in someone’s life. Donate generously for education– fees, stationary items, uniforms and additional study material for the ones who cannot afford it by themselves.

2. Donate for a Mid-Day Meal

Diwali is a time to cook up a feast. Friends and family bond together over elaborate spreads. But for many poor, hungry and orphaned kids, the Diwali feast is only a distant dream. You can donate for a delicious mid-day meal for such kids and make their Diwali special for there is no greater happiness than watching a kid enjoy his/her food.

3. Donate Used/New Festive Clothes

Festive time is always about looking fabulous. Festive wears are special but the fact is, post festive season they are not used much and very soon kids outgrow these beautiful outfits. So if you have a bunch of such unused festive wears just sitting in a corner of your wardrobe, this Diwali, please donate them to charity. Believe us, your ‘no-longer used festive wear’ is a luxury wear for someone else.

It’s also possible for you to buy new clothes for the children in low-income groups. Just imagine their eyes sparkling in happiness when they try on their new outfits! There are only a few things in life more precious than a child’s innocent smile.

4. Be a Green Warrior

It is never too late to make your contributions to protect and preserve mother earth and what better occasion than Diwali which marks good beginnings! So this Diwali 2024, pledge to celebrate in an eco-friendly way. Sensitize your family, friends, people in your apartment area, neighborhood or locality to celebrate more with diyas, rangoli, sweets & food and less with crackers.

It would also be an excellent idea to locate a suitable area, maybe in your apartment complex or neighborhood park and plant a couple of saplings. You can also motivate others to do so. Post your ideas on your social media pages and start a green movement.

5. Support Local Vendors and Small Businesses

Your Diwali shopping is a source of livelihood for many. Be it handmade earthen diyas, flowers or other décor items, please make it a point to buy from local markets and street-side vendors because they do not sell for profits rather to make ends meet. So please support their business by spending money on their items. This way you’ll not just bring home some beautiful products but also a sense of satisfaction from making a positive difference in someone’s life.

6. Spend your Diwali at an Orphanage/Old Age Home

Diwali is a time when the entire extended family comes together to celebrate. This Diwali extend your love and affection to those less fortunate kids and aged people who crave for the emotional blanket of a family. Visit an orphanage/children’s home or an old age home and celebrate with them. Engage with them in decorating their place, cook together a delicious lunch, surprise them with some unforgettable gifts, sing, dance and make it a memorable Diwali for them and yourself.

7. Show  Gratitude to Your Helpers

There are a lot of people who have an immense contribution in the smooth functioning of your daily life. Your domestic help, driver, liftman, building watchman, gardener, all these people toil hard every day to serve you. Diwali is an excellent time to express your gratitude for the services they offer.

As the saying goes, ‘Charity begins at home’, these are the people you should first reach out with your love and generosity. Hand them out a Diwali bonus or gift them something useful for their home or invite their family to join in your Diwali celebrations if they are willing.

If you are an apartment society resident, you can even float the idea to create a corpus fund for Diwali Festival donations and mobilize funds from like-minded people in your apartment complex to be used for the benefit of the helpers in your society.

Diwali is a time for fun, frolic and festivities. You might be amazed that a small contribution or a simple gesture from you can make a world of difference to someone. This Diwali, share your festivities with others because there is no greater joy than the ‘joy of sharing’.

Everyday kindness is in no way a small feat but on special occasions, special efforts must be made to make a difference that truly lasts. Make Diwali celebration 2024 special for the disadvantaged children. Make a difference now!