Back after seven long years to a celebrate Diwali with my family...As tradition goes, the women of the house light the diyas, inviting the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi, into the home.... They also say, the radiance of the glowing lamps will destroy the evil scattered, allowing victory and prosperity to spread wide and far. It is a celebration of abundance... supposedly of warmth, generosity, happiness and laughter...

At the same time of such festivity, there are many people who battle for their lives in the hospital, or lose an eye while bursting a cracker, or get harassed by the cops for not parting with his personal share of the 'hafta'... or are simply fading into the oblivion as they have no voice, no light, no shelter, no food, and perhaps, no one to love ...

Although, I dare ask -- what do we really mean by celebrating the victory of good over evil when such horrific crimes of hatred and enemity usurp the serenity of the being, I am thankful for the Diwali I spent at home....peacefully.