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The Pujas mean different things to different people. While some of us love the pandal hopping and the constant gorging on junk food, others are fond of the family reunions it brings along. While some associate it with sindoor khela on a calm dashami morning, others are reminded of the faint smell of dhoop and shiuli flowers in the air.
To each one of us, however, it means a period of joy and happiness. It is sad then, to think of the thousands of children to whom it means a short respite from a never ending blur of toil and hard work, long hours and empty stomachs. These children are the ones who slog away in the by lanes of Kumartuli all through the year, crafting the idols and presenting them in all their finery, making it a Pujas we'll remember forever. What is worse is that, amidst all the festivity, few of us think of these unfortunate children, stripped of their childhood and innocence.
I urge all of you to spare a few minutes and think of all these children and thank them for the wonderful festival they make it.
The two thought-provoking pictures below capture the contrasting lives of children before and during the Pujas, on two different sides of the same line...
Photo courtesy: telegraphindia.com; unboundether.blogspot.com
CRY Volunteer
Thanks so much Sonam for these pictures. Festive time again..time again sharing and caring..
ReplyDeleteDeepavali, the festival of lights is celebrated all over the country with pomp and show..every home is lit up brightly with lamps and light,..we reach out to all our loved,near,dear ones; but how many of think about those tiny little hands, those thousands of tender fingers that toil day and night to brighten up our lives.. the crackers that we burst with great fun, how many of us really care to know the hard work and tears that go behind the smile n fun in our children's lives..?
May joy,peace,happiness prevail. Amidst our joyousness, may we also care to think about the less priviledged ones,without whom our lives would never know the joy. There is not more a joy,peace,happiness, than truly feeling the pain and joy of another. LIFE, as someone said, is "Loving Intentions For Everyone/Everything".