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Saturday, November 5, 2016

Diwali in Singapore



Illuminations in Little India

Dear Zindagi,

After a long time, the Diwali at homeland was missed. Most of the Indians living in any part of the world head homewards but this time it was a little different for me.Having fun with family and friends, endless splurging and merry making are the hallmarks of this festival, which I was apprehensive of missing in a distant land. One time earlier, many years ago, I spent time alone in a Israel where very few Indians stay and none where I stayed. I still managed to make the best by exchanging sweets with friends. This time I will make it differnt, I said to myself , as life has given me so much to celebrate.
A Peacock stands in the middle of the road for festivities
I was here in Singapore, but with my family this time.  The radiance and glow of the festival was evident in Singapore in almost equal measure as at homeland, if not any less. Most parts of the city are still in a festive mood .For past many days the ‘Diwali sales’ promotions, decorations had sprung all over the city and the difference was difficult to tell, whether I was in India or on a foreign shore.

It was heartening to see the Diwali messages flashed all across on posters and even the SMRT buses had been wishing‘Happy Diwali” message in neon lights where the bus number and destination are marked. The best thing I noticed that everyone regardless of the nationality, religion or race  participated with fervor. One day a big group of Chinese school students were congregated at Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, at the Little India. Their teacher was explaining about different deities while being taken around the premises. What better way to make children more knowledgeable about other religions while promoting tolerance. This phenomena is visible everywhere when one visits places of worship. How  I wish, Zindagi, that we could emulate this spirit in all parts of our beautiful country.

I chanced upon an old Colombian woman visiting the Gurudwara at Sophia Hills who very enthusiastically visited the place and also enjoyed the tea and snacks offered at the ‘Langar’( kitchen). She was struggling to converse in Spanish and in between a few words in English saved the day.This is the real beauty of the people who inhabit the world. We speak different languages but the basic goodness needs no other credentials.

A small country, Singapore, has nationalities from all over the world that live in complete harmony. The food stalls that had come up in Little India had more foreigners enjoying the Indian snacks and clicking away the pictures of beautiful decorations. The traffic was moving slowly but I never encountered a jam anywhere. Zindagi, if you could do me a favor of making cities in my country free from road congestions and pollution, it would perhaps be the best thing.

The’ Fire Walking’ at Sri Mariamman Temple at Chinatown was a big event and hundreds of people watched the event with complete awe. This feats by ordinary mortals are a portrayal of what can be achieved, as long as one is determined.


The fun and festivities have just concluded, though decorations will stay, till past New Year, but more parts of the city will wear a new look. No matter where one is , nothing to beat homecoming notwithstanding the shroud of smog that welcomed, on landing in Delhi. How I wish we could sensitize people to make this one life time as beautiful as many other parts of the world have achieved. Zindagi, I have a lot of hope to see my beautiful country move on a path, where everyone will fall in love with it instantly.We have people who respect women and not treat them as objects of desire. 

Thank You, Zindagi for giving me an opportunity to flavor some lovely moments that exist in our world.Let us all celebrates each festival regardless of our religion or cultural background.with gusto.




PS:“I am writing a letter to life for the #DearZindagi activity at BlogAdda”

20 comments:

  1. There was an ad on TV about a little boy who gives his grandmother a huge list for Diwali shopping...She walks a lot to get the things on his list....In the end the kid tells her that it was his dads idea to get her to exercise...Also the grandmother advises the whole family to have healthy fruits and nuts as well and have the sweets in moderation.... I am not sure if you got a chance to see it!

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    1. Thanks Jaishree but I missed this:( Actually did almost zero telewatching.But will look up on YouTube

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  2. Wonderful sentiments sir! I so hope Zindagi hears your voice loud and clear.

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  3. Nice to hear how the festival of lights gleams at Singapore... I quite desire for the state of Singapore in India

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  4. A different Diwali but equally enjoyable--great.

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  5. Thanks Induji it was certainly different:)

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  6. So glad you could enjoy and celebrate Deepavali in Singapore this time and didnt get to miss all the fun!

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  7. That was a sparkling post from Singapore. It's a beautiful country. Best part was that you were there with family.

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    1. Thanks for reading,Alka. It is always fun to experience a new place with loved ones:)

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  8. Lovely post. Beautifully described and Diwali well spent with family.

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  9. It's very colorful and vibrant, minus the pollution. Here in New Jersey, it's good too. Thanks for the big Indian community here.

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  10. Exactly Saru, all festivities minus pollution and noise makes it a worthy experience.Yes NJ has a large Indian community so you too would have enjoyed:)

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  11. Me too this time Diwali was in Indonesia, we were seven Indians in a group of 40 bloggers but in a remote island called Raja Ampat. Singapore Airport had messages too for Diwali that I remember.

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  12. Welcome to my blog Mridula! Diwali is fun as long as you have the right company:)

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