Blonde or Brunette, Diwali is for Everyone!

[Guest guest]

NEW DELHI (20 Oct, 2006): For the foreigners in India, Diwali remains

the numero uno festival. They seem to be firm believers in the old

saying - jaisa des waisa bhes!

 

When you picture Diwali, you might think of beautiful Indian women in

sarees lighting lamps and carrying trays of mithai.

 

You wouldn't imagine them blonde. Or brunette. Or not even Indian. But

the pardesis in swades are as excited about Diwali as anybody else.

They have big plans, complete with diyas, puja and even crackers!

 

Peter Nesbitt, chief representative for export development, Canada,

has his Diwali plans in place. "We are heading over to an Indian

family's house for dinner. We have been celebrating Diwali for the

last few years. It is a celebration of lights and festivity. We also

participate in the puja. And why not? When in India ... be an Indian!"

he says with a smile.

 

Ambassadors and diplomats too, have been touched by the lights of

Diwali. New Zealand high commissioner, Graeme Waters, dishes out his

plans. "The pre-Diwali parties with staff members happen every year.

This year, we are looking forward to dinner with an Indian family. We

have lots of diyas at home that we will light. And, of course, the

exchange of gifts is customary."

 

For some, it reminds them of Christmas at home, when festivity touches

its peak. Says Jeff Pyatt, deputy chief of mission, US Embassy, "It's

been more than six years in India and Diwali is my favourite festival

here. It's like American Christmas... there is just so much activity

in India at this time. Our plans are the regular Diwali plans... going

out with family for dinner, decorating our home with some candles and

bursting a few crackers as well!"

 

Talk about celebrating Diwali with a bang! Lynn Bayman, a social

service worker, says, "We love Diwali and look forward to the festival

every year. This year we will light around 40-50 candles and hope that

Goddess Lakshmi will visit our home. Later in the evening, we will be

going to a big Diwali party with friends, a lot of whom are Indian."

 

Traditional Indian dresses are all the rage among foreigners. Janet

Golden, a social worker with the American Women's Organisation plans

to deck herself up in a "traditional Indian dress" and visit her

Indian neighbours.

 

"We try to plan something for Diwali every year. My staff puts diyas

all over my house. We usually decorate our house with small, round

diyas. They look beautiful. We will be going over to our Sikh

neighbours' place â€" it's fun to see their children celebrating. And I

love to wear the churidar-kurta on Diwali â€" it looks so graceful,"

says Janet with a smile.

 

SOURCE: The Times of India. Blonde or brunette, Diwali is for them too

20 Oct, 2006 2123hrs IST TIMES NEWS NETWORK

URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2219133.cms

[pranay2]

Hey blonde or brunette , we are are his sons and why not deepawali. It is not an Indian festival but a universal one.