End of Darkness! Assam Dazzles in Dipawali

Dipawali is back with millions of lamps illuminating Assam in the darkness of night along with other parts of the country on Thursday. 

Despite administrative restrictions sounds of firecrackers have mingled in the air suggesting that a section of the people are not in a mood to halt. 

The north eastern state transformed into a different world on Thursday evening when rows and rows of Diyas(lamps) along with varieties of colourful decorations  started dazzling in the nook and corner to celebrate the festival of light. 

Men and women alike made serpentine queues for Diwali shopping to buy gifts for the near and dear ones on thr occasion. 

“ I bought sweets to give as gift to my parents since they can't come out. This is a nice occasion indeed,” said Aparajita Saikia, a college in Guwahati’s RG Baruah Road. 

“It's amazing to catch a glimpse of the festival this evening. I find no wrong with the decision to stop fire cracker bursting which results in huge amount of pollution. 

“Sans fire cracker bursting we can celebrate the festival of light,” said Pallab Thakur in Tinsukia town where the authority have prohibited bursting of fire crackers. 

“The festival marks the home coming of Ram Chandra ending thr 14 year old exile. May this festival mark the return of peace. This is what I do hope” Sasha Kamal Das, a retired school teacher in Jorhat. 

The pompous celebration of Dipawali gives Hojai a new look with the people of all ages greeting each other on the occasion on Thursday. 

Simultaneously, the Hindus have been holding Kali puja to appease the goddess to win over evils. The twin occasions have given a section of businessmen a field day to mint money. 

Banana trees are being sold out like hot cakes in the urban areas where the customers have to buy a banana tree for ₹100 to decorate the front side of their houses. Same it is in the case of the earthen lamps where the porters and the sellers have been minting money.