Our Grand Diwali Mela is actually a small time affair, but growing. We started off with just a hundred participants, post Covid. Now the numbers have swelled to very nearly double. There’s always an on-going discussion about making the entry free for all, increasing footfall, letting people buy food from the stalls, etc. and of course, all to increase the Funds of the Association.
This time a small ray of sense penetrated my not so thick skull: our Mela is not a financial enterprise. Sure, there are ways to make money, and many Organisations take full advantage of the opportunity. But by keeping it a small Sector affair, we get Value Addition. It becomes the one opportunity for Residents from all across the Sector to meet and celebrate with EACH OTHER. Neighbours from all parts of the Sector know each other and share achievements, happy events, tales of woe, Sector grouses, et al. Besides, the bonding that comes from planning, organizing and executing an Event creates an interdependence which is the foundation of community living.
So, enough with the Gyaan and on with the merry-making. The highlight of the evening was, of course, the free ice-cream stall offered by our local resident, Mr. Sachdeva, owner of Saurabh Ice Creams. His stall enjoyed pride of place at the centre of the Central Park, just opposite the gaily lit stalls for pearl sets, jute bags, hand linen, furnishings, Diyas and, for really exotic appeal, Tarot Readers! The constant huddle around the counters testified to the yumshiouness of the product! Snuggling next to it, was a Game Counter managed by 10-year old Suchi and 13 year old Prathamesh. Suchi went AWOL for some time, to participate in, and clinch the first prize in the Rangoli Competition. 2nd and 3rd prizes were a bit of a mix-up, as the winners were identical twins, Parth and Dev. So it’s still a toss-up who won which…proper Ram aur Shaam moment. The Dia prize went to a beautiful effort by Ruchi Sharma. Interestingly, many of the entries and winners for the contests were boys. A big thumbs-up to gender equality.
An energetic dance performance by 3 year old Manasvi was followed by an eloquent poem on Diwali. Not to be outdone, her Nana-Nani Manohar and Manju Goswami climbed onto the stage and danced to the serenade “kya khoob lagti ho..” That set the ball rolling, and the beauties of the Sector climbed onto the stage and danced and swayed for a solid 13 minutes. The endurance winner was Geeta Yadav, who, I think, could probably lasted longer.. Compere IPS Bawaji selected the winning 3 performances, but even he ran shy of ranking them. Finally, the prizes were given away by a draw of lots between Ritu Dhillon, Preeti Sharma and Namrata Walia.
The boys and men were chary of following such stellar performances, despite Bawajis jibes, and cajolery. They proved more responsive in the Q & A Session that followed, but here again, the boys beat the men!
A second round of Tambola and dinner was served. A scrumptious spread of Panjabi food, washed down with moong Dal halwa and the umpteenth round of ice-cream. Guests filled their plates and strolled opposite to the brightly lit stalls for some hectic bargaining over diyas, purses, pearl sets and sarees. Pockets empty, and tummies full, we all trooped home after an evening well spent.
