Diwali ignites hope

Diwali is around the corner and one can feel the festivity in the air. More so this year, for Corona seems to have taken a back seat and looks to be on its way out.

Every retailer and e-tailer worth his salt is going one up on rivals to offer greater discounts and more lucrative offers. And consumers seem to be going on buying spree as if there’s no tomorrow. Be it traditional sweets, chocolates, dry fruits, bakery products, gifts, automobiles, hand phones, electronics or clothes – virtually every sector is enjoying unprecedented patronage by the consumers.

There is a flip side too. Inflation, especially of food products, continues to be a cause for concern. Appreciating dollar only seems to be adding to the country’s oil import bill. And the political atmosphere around, with Gujarat and Himachal elections on the cards, is anything but pleasant.

But Diwali has ignited hope for a better future, one that’s free of not only Corona virus but also the virus of hate and enmity that seems to be affecting the society, though apparently there’s no reason for this. Let’s hope that this hope ignited by the Festival of Lights is not squandered but encashed upon to spread lasting happiness, prosperity and unity.

This is the first of the series of blogs that I intend writing during this Diwali festive season.