If I go by the number of friends calling me wishing me on Diwali, if I count the type and number of firecrackers , if I go by the surprise of getting parking slots available in shopping malls even at the peak of Diwali shopping hours , all is not well certainly . One of my friend working in a leading chain of superstores selling consumer durables in Chennai appeared utterly disappointed at the Diwali sales even with all the freebies and free installments offers.

With the global stocks plummeting , and a free fall of BSE sensex driving it into the blackest phase in recent times , and the general uncertainties in Job market ( thousands of fresh engineering graduates are still waiting for their call to join different organization even though they have the appointment letters not withstanding the few from premier institutes who were selected by the likes of Lehman brothers only to be told later that they cannot be taken now) , Diwali 2008 is no doubt has been one of the most frugal and spiritless Diwali. The lights and candles did not seem to have ushered in much hope of recovery. Of course , I am sure there won’t be any let up in people continuing to hold the tradition of drinking and gambling on the Diwali eve night ushering in Goddess Lakshmi in quest of fortunes. Wish it was that easy !

Last year I remember how the inmates of my apartments had discussions on whether to increase the Diwali bonus to the apartment watchmen by Rs 500/- or not ! The same time , residents on my street burst crackers worth more than Rs five lakhs. The sweepers and maid servants were seen busy cleaning the street day after . These lesser mortals had to be content with whatever little extra money they received as bonus and the left over sweet packets that the privileged ones like us could not consume and gifted them next day ! Diwali has been a clear line between privileged ones and the not so fortunate ones . Over the years the sparklers and the shameless consumerism made us forget the essential aspects of Diwali celebrations .

Nature makes its own correction ! May be Goddess Lakshmi this time ! The free fall of Global economy has taken the sheen out of the so called artificially privileged ones ( I am included). Though only for a short duration (hopefully) , this diwali at least has removed the color of collars , removed the line between privileged and less privileged ones – everyone is worried irrespective of class. I vividly remember a picture of a flood published in newspaper where snakes ,people and domestic animals are sheltering in the same tree.

What goes around , comes around . Can we now vow to celebrate Diwali with its essential aspects of promoting peace and brotherhood and making everyone included in the celebration and of course shun those extravaganza and restrict our expenses on firecrackers – let us rather help bringing sparkle in the eyes of so many lesser privileged ones around us !