Farha Shaikh

As Diwali approaches, the entire atmosphere of the city transforms. Rows of earthen lamps twinkle at the doors, colourful rangolis adorn the courtyards, and the aroma of festive delicacies (faral) wafts from every home. There is joy everywhere. But this festival is not the same, or equally joyous, for everyone.

Even today, I see many faces for whom arranging a daily meal is a struggle. During Diwali, they have to move mountains just to put a sweet morsel into their children's mouths.

Let alone having oil to light earthen lamps, many don't even have cooking oil at home. I see and experience this reality every day. And that is why, for the past seven to eight years, we have been striving to ensure that the poor can also celebrate Diwali with joy.

People often ask me, "Being a Muslim, why do you celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali?" My only answer to them is that you don't need an auspicious moment or religion to celebrate joy. Just as there is a grand celebration of Eid in our house, we strive to ensure that festive sweets are prepared in every needy household and a lamp stays lit at their door.

This kit contains all the essentials, right from flour, oil, refined flour (maida), sugar, puffed rice (bhadang), turmeric, to even Moti soap. We provide everything required to prepare Diwali delicacies.

While helping anyone, one's self-respect must never be compromised. I have made this a cardinal rule in my life. Today is the era of social media, but we have never helped anyone by calling them onto a big stage, making them stand in front of a crowd, or making an exhibition of their poverty. I don't like it at all.

We personally visit their homes and hand over the kits to them. Because the one receiving help is never inferior, and as fellow humans, this give-and-take goes on.

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Without any greed for publicity, our journey of lighting a lamp in someone's life will continue just like that. Be it Eid or Diwali, we will keep doing our work. This Diwali, if you can dispel the darkness in someone's life around you, please definitely do it.