While most of us moan about the Supreme Court ban on firecrackers, there are a few among us who relish the festival for the simple joy of spending time with loved ones.
Take, for example, the trainees at Blind Relief Association who have been learning to give massages, sew clothes and operate computers to earn a living, at the Lodhi Road centre of the association.
For them, the festival of light is the festival of touch, the festival of togetherness. "I lost my eyes in 2011 in an accident," says 29-year-old Ram Vilas, "That changed Diwali for me. My celebrations now include spending quality time with my family, who are usually busy with work or on their mobile phones."
Their loved ones' addiction to technology is a common complaint among the sightless.
"Earlier, Diwali used to be a week-long celebration. Now people do not even bother to visit their relatives. All they do is sit back and send a message on the mobile phone," added Ram Vilas.
"The people have lost the traditional values. The western influence has taken over the festivities," said Upendra Kumar. "In recent times the youth is more attracted towards crackers than traditional diyas, house decoration and family talks," she added.
from Daily News & Analysis https://ift.tt/2qyQMi6
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