Diwali or Deepavali, a festival of light is celebrated across India with much joy and vigour. From lighting diyas, decorating houses and offices, offering prayers, distributing gifts and sweets, get-togethers, and fireworks, Diwali is one of those festivals which the whole country waits for eagerly. There are different historical events that marks the significance of Deepavali celebration. For instance, in Hindu sect, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman to Ayodhya after a 14-year period of exile during which Rama’s army defeated demon king Ravana’s army of evil. Some also view this day as Lord Krishna defeating and destroying the evil demon king Narakasura. Some also offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and wealth, Goddess Saraswati for light of knowledge and wealth management, and Goddess Kali who symbolises victory of good over evil. Among the Sikh, Diwali is observed to celebrate the arrival of Guru Hargobind at the Golden Temple in Amritsar after being released from the Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s Gwalior Fort prison. The Jains celebrate Diwali to mark the attainment of final nirvana of Mahavira. The belief could be any, but the symbolic cord that runs across each of them is victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.
Upholding the real significance of Diwali, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-profit organisation in India offers a platform for the society to include a charitable act in their celebrations. Akshaya Patra implements the Mid-Day Meal Scheme across 12 states of India. Through this programme, the NGO provides freshly cooked wholesome meals to more than 1.76 million children in more than 14,000 Government and Government-aided schools. The NGO has been in the service of children for the past 18 years and steers its efforts to ensure ‘No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger’.
Over the years, several impact studies have revealed that the mid-day meals have positively contributed to the health of children, better academic performance, increase in school enrolment and regular attendance, and reduced school drop-out rate. These meals are much-needed by the children since most of them hail from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. But, the beauty in these children is, none of them let the current hurdles deter them from their determination of achieve better and bigger in life. Each of these children have high goals in life and the only thing that can help them achieve is nutritious meals and rightful education. This Diwali, donate to Akshaya Patra and spread the goodness of health, education, and knowledge.
This Diwali, let the spirit of joy and prosperity be a part of every child’s life!