LAHORE: Pushpa is happy to wear a new pink sari for Diwali. The 16 years old touches a diamond shaped matching bindi on her forehead which flashes as it catches light. “I made kheer today,” she says proudly.

Her mother, who is doing her hair, smiles.

“Very soon, we are going to go out to mandir for pooja so I’m trying to get everyone dressed up as soon as I can,” says the woman.

This is happening in a house in the walled city. Like here, several other adjoining houses are having such activities. Bollywood songs are blaring from almost every house in the locality – the old melodic ones clashing with the newer dancy numbers. Streams of laughter float outside and it is clear that the families are making the most of it.

On Wednesday, Hindus in Lahore celebrated Diwali – the festival of light and the symbolic triumph of good over evil.

In Pushpa’s house as well as all other neighbours, much of the day was spent cooking various foods – those that are especially made for such an event including Sooji halwa, kheer, and other sweets. The Hindu god Ganpati and goddess ‘Mata’ Lakhsmi are worshiped this particular day. Most of house are modest and tiny; they are decorated with ‘diyas’ or clay bowls with candles in them, and fairy lights.

Children run about in their best clothes – the boys in trousers and coats, the little girls wearing bangles and even a little smear of makeup. Women are dressed in saris, red and gold, or pink mostly.

Hindus are entitled to get Diwali holidays but many of them, especially men and students, do not avail them. “How can we take off when the office is open?” asks Ashok. Even the children cannot miss their tests, he adds.

Hindu Council President Amarnath Randhawa says that a special programme for the community will be held at the Krishna Mandir on Wednesday night – a yearly tradition. On the occasion, Aijaz Alam Augustine, human rights and minorities affairs minister, in a statement congratulated Hindus. He said that Diwali is also a symbol of happiness and passion, brotherhood and unity. Hindus played an important role in the process of national development and their contribution in different sectors of life, including socio-economic and political sectors, was commendable.

He added that Pakistani Hindus were a respectable faction of society and greater socialization among the people of different faiths would promote the message of brotherhood, peace, and harmony at all levels.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2018