Diwali: Now is the time to give back
This Diwali, millions of lamps will be lit as communities unite to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and hope over despair.
Though Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists will be celebrating a diverse range of historical, religious and cultural events, each signifies the victory of light over darkness, and the importance of knowledge and self-improvement over ignorance.
Over the years, I have experienced Diwali celebrations in so many shapes and forms; from tens of thousands of people offering their devotion at temples, the Diwali in the Square celebrations hosted by the Mayor of London, the lights being switched on in Leicester, Diwali parties hosted by leading fashion brands on Bond Street and very plush Diwali dinners hosted by Private Banks for their clients.
For me, perhaps the most exciting thing about Diwali is that it is a time when families come together to celebrate with acts of generosity and kindness; that translate sometimes to buying new clothes, jewelry, new accounts books, lovely Indian sweets and even new cars!
But this Diwali, rather than buying friends and relatives gifts, perhaps the focus should be on giving something back to those who have nothing.
Diwali is after all a time for reflection.
With a growing diaspora, communities right across the world will embrace the festival’s theme of renewal and prosperity. And what better way to do so than by supporting our ‘Give a Girl a Future’ appeal, which aims to cast light and hope upon thousands of young, girls and women in South Asia. Channeling our efforts into helping girls establish decent livelihoods and rise out of the poverty trap echoes the same spirit of giving which Diwali has embodied for so many centuries.
Take 16-year-old Aarti for example. She lives in India’s Satara district, along with her mother, two sisters and brother. Tragically, Aarti lost her father in an accident when she was very young, leaving the family desperately struggling for money. Her mother earns a pittance from working on a farm, and Aarti and her siblings must also work during school holidays. But Aarti’s dream is simple: she merely wants to finish her education so that she can improve her life prospects.
To help her achieve her ambition, she is being given vital support by the Mann Deshi Foundation, which has been empowering rural women and their families for 10 years. As one of the British Asian Trust’s partner organisations, Mann Deshi has ensured Aarti can attend school, and has even provided her with a bicycle so she can now get there much more easily.
Enabling Aarti in this way means she has the chance to finish school, find well-paid work and ultimately lift her family out of their tough existence. Her challenging experiences are all too common, but together, we can aid thousands more girls in similar situations, and help them carve out their dreams, too.
Hot on the heels of the Trust’s successful campaign during Ramadan earlier this year, it is our hope that Diwali can become a time to help those in real need. With the next few weeks set to be a time of deep reflection for many, now is the perfect time to consider how we can all give something back to those less fortunate.
Giving girls a future may be one of the very best gifts that Diwali can ever bring.
Hitan Mehta, Executive Director of the British Asian Trust