CRACK

SIZZLE

SIZZLE

LIGHT

That is how I came into existence. The warmth trickled down my body. I slowly opened my eyes to see a girl holding me in her hands. Her eyes lit up and shone so bright, it could put my flame out. Her giggles became music to my cotton core and I danced to the melody. 

Soon enough, I was placed in front of the makeshift temple. I was just done with my conversation with the photos behind me, when I looked around, and saw the room filled with children, who laughed and danced. Now I don’t have much time before my flame goes out, so let me tell you about Diwali from a diya’s perspective.

The day began with the rangoli which got the children pumped up about the festival. After some time, the rangoli was filled with colours and adorned with diyas that sat on top like a queen’s crown.
Looking down at my fellow diyas and smiled. How lucky were they to have had children among them.

Then began my favourite part of the night. The music bounced off the walls, children danced to the tunes and sang along. I moved with the rhythm too, moving from left to right, back and forth.

They finally settled down and sat together for dinner. Diwali is all about tradition so the children had dinner on a banana leaf. I leaned out a little more to see what they were eating. From Biryani to Pyssum, they had a feast. 

After dinner, all the children gathered around their teacher, who began narrating them the Ramayan. The children laughed and gasped as the epic went on. They edged on their seats and looked at their teacher with wide eyes. Oh! The innocence. Wonder and amazement seized their tiny beings and they sat there holding onto every word their teacher said.

By the time everyone was gone, it was only us diyas were left, who glowed dimly, becoming a beacon of Diwali, spreading light in the midst of the darkness.

Nukkad Pathshala is a CSR initiative of New Opportunity which sets up free after-school learning centers across villages of India. We help students develop foundational Math, Science and English skills. Currently, we have 41 centers and 1500 students under our wing. You can learn more about our programs at www.nukkadpathshala.in

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