Diwali is India's most important religious festival: A celebration of the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. A wonderful time for people to shine as beacons of optimism!
As the Hindustan Times remarked, "Diwali to Diwali, optimism is the strong message."
A “diya” is an oil lamp used to light up homes during the Diwali festival and symbolizes prosperity and optimism. Diyas are handmade out of clay and often painted in vibrant colours.
Diwali decorations emphasise optimism with colourful vibrant decorations. People clean their homes, decorate with lights, flowers, and Rangolis, and seek blessings for prosperity and fortune in their lives.
Dr Gorakh Bobde, the CEO of AGS Ingenuity, shared with me: "Diwali is known as the festival of lights. It signifies the triumph of light over darkness, Optimism over uncertainty, and hope over despair. May millions of lamps illuminate in your life with endless optimism and possibilities."
The Prime Minister of Fiji Voreqe Bainimarama said, "Light has won over darkness. Good has won over evil. Knowledge has won over ignorance. So let us be generous and gracious with the gifts bestowed upon us and let us move forward confident in the power of our optimism to prevail over the challenges that lay ahead.”
The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau said, "A celebration of lights, Diwali is an occasion to honour the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and right over wrong. As people around the world gather with family and friends to light diyas, decorate homes, offer prayers, or exchange gifts and food, we are reminded to look to the year ahead with optimism and hope."
The Indian Students Association's Nishant Kumar said, "Diwali is not only a festival, it is about togetherness, unity and optimism."
Scott Morrison, former Prime Minister of Australia, said "This is a religious festival this is a festival of faith, it’s about optimism, it’s about hope it’s about triumph, it’s about family, it’s about looking into the future with positivity.”
Uday Yadav, President and Chief Operating Officer, Eaton Electrical Sector Board, said, "It’s inspiring to celebrate a holiday that looks toward new hopes, dreams and aspirations—one that signifies happiness with practices that have participants letting go of the negativity and shining a light on the optimism of tomorrow. It’s something our world needs more of!"
On Fireworks: "Fireworks are a modern phenomenon and usually in traditional Hindu/or other Indian homes the clay lamps are lit and placed in the front courtyard to mark the joyous occasion of light symbolizing optimism and hope for the future," Dr Bihani Sarkar, departmental lecturer in Sanskrit at the University of Oxford, told Newsweek.