Reminiscing and celebrating the festival of lights away from home

The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals

Festivals reflect our traditions; they amplify our identity and unite us. Diwali, the festival of lights and happiness is a symbol of victory of good over evil and light over darkness. It is a reminder that light always dispels darkness which metaphorically also inspires the world engulfed in pain, deaths and suffering caused by Covid-19. Festivals such as Diwali always hold a special place in the hearts of the India diaspora and also students residing in Australia. The fondness of this festival is deeply rooted in their memories of the yore when they celebrated it with their friends and families back in India. The mouth-watering sweets and savouries, clay lamps and Diwali lights spread adorning the facade of homes, new colourful attires, game of cards, Lakshmi puja and of course unending calls and visits by relatives and friends. Not to forget the fireworks which now seem to have become a taboo amongst the urban class; all making it an unforgettable and grand affair for posterity. India, a culturally vibrant country known for its beautiful traditions and family values, is witnessing a transition wherein the new generation is migrating overseas for studies and chasing dreams.

Home away from home

Australia, the land of opportunities has now become home to over a 100,600 international students in recent years, making Indian students the second largest student population in Australia for education. They have slowly nurtured a mini India away from India in down under. This year, the pandemic has made it difficult for many students like me to go visit our respective families in India. But Australia has always been very kind, warm and hospitable to us. No wonder our families sometimes rue the long gaps in between WhatsApp calls but take our point when we tell them how beautiful this country is wherein the larger community makes us feel at home and participates and celebrates our Indian festivals, like Holi and Deepawali. They have a special liking for Holi, the festival of colours and the tradition of lighting oil lamps at Deepawali, and that have over the years become a potent symbol of India’s soft power.

Treats, lights and annual cleaning

“It was the temptation of mouthwatering sweets that got me through the Diwali cleaning”, Devang, a university student exclaims with laughter. It has been over two years since Devang first came to Australia to pursue his Master’s degree in Information & Technology at the Queensland University of Technology. He nostalgically reminisces, “I haven’t been to India for the past two years, but let me tell you, Diwali in Gujarat is like no other. The energy is at its highest during this festival and there is nothing not to love about it”.

Kartik Pratap Singh, a former student at QUT says, “The food, the lighting, the poojas, going around the neighbourhood and greeting everyone, receiving amazing gifts, ah! It’s so nostalgic.

Due to Covid we are stuck here and not able to visit our families, which is a huge dampener for me. But friends around compensate for that”.

Talha Baig, a student at Charles Sturt University shares, “Jumping over chakras was my most favourite thing to do and as dramatic as it sounds, it was seen as a brave act amongst kids to perform back then. Diwali away from India is never the same. But I am happy to escape all that cleaning part of the festival”.

The unification of diversity

“I didn’t see Diwali just as a Hindu festival when I was growing up in Pune since my friends from every community participated in the celebrations”, recalls Dr Prutha. She too is an international student from India who graduated with a master’s degree from Griffith University. “When I was in India, my father would take us to buy firecrackers on the morning of Diwali, and God did we give him a run for his money?” chuckles Prutha. “Like most of my fellow mates here, homemade sweets by our mothers was the highlight of Diwali”, she exclaims. She also laments being stuck here during Diwali. “I had been long planning to surprise my family by paying them a visit on the day of Diwali but I guess it will have to be a virtual one” she says with a subdued smile, but with a caveat that she is looking forward to celebrating it with her friends in Brisbane and Gold Coast in her mother’s favourite saree. Dr Prutha too acknowledges the warmth and hospitability of Australians in joining in Indian celebrations, compensating for the absence of loved ones.

Celebrating together

Deepawali is an occasion to beat the pall of gloom cast by Covid and the initiative by India News to celebrate Deepawali with international students is a welcome gesture. It will create an ambience of belongingness, frolic and warmth way from home during these tough times. Many are looking forward to it and once again recreating Deepawali as a close and well-bonded family. We stand together strong to spread the light in every dark corner of our surroundings and to pep each other up and spread hope and love. We at India News wish all Indian students and our fellow Australians a very happy Deepawali across Australia.

Ananya Dhyani is a Consulting Editor at India News.

by Ananya Dhyani