Diwali: The Festival of Lights and Its Importance

Diwali, often referred to as the "Festival of Lights," is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated worldwide. This festival, rich in traditions, holds great spiritual and cultural significance, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Diwali brings together families and communities, fostering unity, joy, and a spirit of giving. Let’s explore what makes Diwali so special, its historical significance, its rituals, and the deep meaning behind this beautiful festival.

Diwali Festival of Lights

The Origins and Significance of Diwali

Diwali has roots in several historical and religious events, celebrated across different parts of India and by people of various faiths. Its significance varies across regions and religions, but the underlying theme of triumph and positivity is universal.

• Return of Lord Rama: One of the most popular stories associated with Diwali is the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. To celebrate, the people of Ayodhya lit oil lamps, or "diyas," to illuminate the city.
• Goddess Lakshmi’s Blessing: In many parts of India, Diwali is celebrated as a time to honor Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. Homes are cleaned, decorated, and lit up with lamps to invite her blessings.
• The Victory of Lord Krishna: In certain parts of India, Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, symbolizing the destruction of evil forces.
• Significance in Jainism and Sikhism: For Jains, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual liberation, of Lord Mahavira. Sikhs celebrate Diwali to honor the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment, symbolizing freedom and resilience.

Diwali Celebrations and Customs

Diwali is celebrated over five days, each with unique rituals and traditions that carry symbolic meanings.

• Dhanteras: The first day of Diwali is dedicated to wealth and prosperity. People buy precious metals, especially gold and silver, as they are believed to bring good fortune.
• Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali): On this day, people cleanse their homes and bodies to eliminate negative energies. Oil baths and decorating homes with rangoli (colorful art patterns) are customary.
• Lakshmi Puja (Main Diwali Day): On the main day, families gather to perform a puja (prayer) dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Homes are adorned with lights and rangoli, and diyas are lit to welcome prosperity.
• Govardhan Puja: The fourth day is celebrated to honor Lord Krishna’s lifting of the Govardhan Hill to protect his people from storms and rains, symbolizing strength and devotion.
• Bhai Dooj: The fifth and final day celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brother’s well-being, and in return, brothers vow to protect them.

Diwali Traditions Around the World

Though rooted in India, Diwali has spread globally. The Indian diaspora celebrates Diwali in unique ways across different cultures.

1. In the United States: Celebrations include lighting candles, and fireworks, and hosting community gatherings. Public schools in areas with a significant Indian population often recognize Diwali as an important cultural day.
2. In the UK: The city of Leicester hosts one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, with grand displays of lights and a vibrant parade.
3. In Singapore and Malaysia: Diwali, or Deepavali as it is locally known, is recognized as a public holiday. Temples are illuminated, and locals participate in various cultural events.
4. In Fiji, Mauritius, and the Caribbean: Diwali is celebrated with traditional festivities, and the exchange of sweets and gifts is common among communities.

The Spiritual Essence of Diwali

Diwali is more than a festival of lights; it holds a deeper spiritual significance:

1. Renewal and Purification: Diwali encourages us to renew ourselves, shedding negativity and embracing new beginnings. Cleaning homes, wearing new clothes, and decorating with lights symbolize this renewal.
2. Victory of Good Over Evil: The lighting of diyas represents the inner light, wisdom, and knowledge that dispels ignorance and darkness.
3. Unity and Togetherness: Diwali brings families, friends, and communities together. Exchanging sweets and gifts symbolizes love, kindness, and goodwill.
4. Charity and Giving Back: Many people donate to charities during Diwali, emphasizing the importance of compassion and social responsibility.

How Diwali Influences Modern Lifestyles

Diwali has also adapted to modern times, with eco-friendly and sustainable celebrations gaining popularity. Many families now opt for:

1. Eco-Friendly Diyas and Rangoli: Using clay diyas and organic colors to create rangolis promotes environmental responsibility.
2. Avoiding Fireworks: To reduce pollution, some families prefer quiet, peaceful celebrations without fireworks.
3. Minimalist Decorations: People focus on simple, meaningful decorations that respect tradition while being environmentally friendly instead of elaborate displays.

FAQs about Diwali

Q. Why is Diwali called the Festival of Lights?
ANS: Diwali is called the Festival of Lights because people light oil lamps, candles, and fireworks to celebrate the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Q. How long is Diwali celebrated?
ANS: Diwali is a five-day festival, each day dedicated to specific rituals and cultural practices.

Q. What is the importance of diyas in Diwali?
ANS: Diyas represent light and hope, illuminating homes to symbolize wisdom, knowledge, and positivity.

Q. Why do people clean their homes during Diwali?
ANS: Cleaning homes signifies welcoming Goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. It also represents purification and renewal.

Q. Is Diwali only celebrated by Hindus?
ANS: While it is primarily a Hindu festival, Diwali is celebrated by people of various faiths, including Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists, each with unique traditions.

Conclusion

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a time of joy, unity, and spiritual reflection. It is a celebration that transcends cultural boundaries, uniting people across the world in the spirit of positivity, hope, and goodwill. As we light diyas and welcome the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, we are reminded of the importance of kindness, gratitude, and the victory of good over evil. This Diwali, let’s celebrate responsibly, fostering harmony and spreading light in every corner of our lives.

Justice Sanjeev Khanna appointed as Chief Justice of India

The central government has officially announced the appointment of Justice Sanjeev Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India, with his tenure beginning on November 11, 2024. His appointment follows the scheduled retirement of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, who will step down on November 10.

A notification from the Ministry of Law and Justice confirmed the development, citing that the President, exercising powers under clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution, appointed Justice Khanna. Currently serving as a Supreme Court judge, Justice Khanna will now assume the top judicial position in the country.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared the news on social media, stating, "In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, has appointed Justice Sanjeev Khanna as the Chief Justice of India, effective from November 11, 2024."

The transition marks a pivotal moment for the judiciary, as outgoing Chief Justice Chandrachud personally recommended Justice Khanna as his successor. Being the second-most senior judge in the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna is expected to serve for six months, concluding his term in May 2025.

Born on May 14, 1960, Justice Khanna embarked on his legal career in 1983, registering with the Bar Council of Delhi. He initially practiced in district courts, gradually shifting to the Delhi High Court, where he gained experience across diverse legal fields—ranging from constitutional law, taxation, and arbitration to environmental law, medical negligence, and corporate disputes.

Throughout his career, Justice Khanna has held several key positions. He served as senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and represented the National Capital Territory of Delhi as standing counsel. Additionally, he acted as an Additional Public Prosecutor and frequently served as amicus curiae in complex legal matters at the High Court level.

In 2005, he was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court and confirmed as a Permanent Judge the following year. His ascent to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019, stood out, as he was appointed despite being 33rd in national seniority. The Supreme Court Collegium, led by then-Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, recommended his elevation, citing his merit and integrity over seniority, a move that drew significant attention at the time.

South Korea’s Han Kang wins 2024 Nobel literature prize

South Korean author Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for “her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”. The prize is awarded by the Swedish Academy and is worth 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million). “She has a unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead, and in her poetic and experimental style has become an innovator in contemporary prose,” Anders Olsson, chairman of the academy’s Nobel Committee, said in a statement.

Han Kang, the first South Korean to win the literature prize, began her career in 1993 with the publication of a number of poems in the magazine Literature and Society, while her prose debut came in 1995 with the short story collection “Love of Yeosu”. Her major international breakthrough came with the novel “The Vegetarian”.

Centre declares Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali as classical languages

The Union Cabinet officially granted classical language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, recognizing their historical and cultural significance. This decision marks a significant addition to India’s classical language list, which was first established on October 12, 2004, with the declaration of Tamil as a classical language. The category was created to honor languages with a long and rich history, ancient literature, and cultural heritage.

The status of a classical language is granted based on specific criteria, including the language’s antiquity, with recorded texts dating back over a thousand years, a body of ancient literature considered a valuable heritage by generations, and an original literary tradition not borrowed from other linguistic communities.

The Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC), constituted by the Ministry of Culture under Sahitya Akademi in November 2004, reviewed and revised the criteria, leading to the declaration of Sanskrit as a classical language in 2005. Since then, Telugu (2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014) have also received classical language status.

Proposals from Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal to recognize Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali were reviewed by the LEC. After extensive consultations, the committee, in a meeting held on July 25, 2024, unanimously recommended these languages for classical status.

The Ministry of Education has undertaken several initiatives to promote classical languages, including establishing three Central Universities in 2020 to promote Sanskrit and the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, which focuses on translating ancient Tamil texts and promoting research. Centers for Excellence for Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia studies were also established under the Central Institute of Indian Languages in Mysuru.

The recognition of these languages as classical will open new avenues for employment in academics, research, archiving, translation, and digital media. Preservation and digitization of ancient texts will create job opportunities in these fields. The primary states benefiting from this initiative include Maharashtra (Marathi), Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh (Pali and Prakrit), West Bengal (Bengali), and Assam (Assamese). Classical languages serve as vital custodians of India’s ancient cultural heritage, representing the historical milestones of various communities across the nation. This move is expected to bolster cultural pride and enhance academic engagement with these languages, both nationally and internationally.

Source: DD News

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 with one half to David Baker(University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA) “for computational protein design” and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper (both are from Google DeepMind, London, UK) “for protein structure prediction”.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 is about pro­teins, life’s ingenious chemical tools. David Baker has succeeded with the almost impossible feat of building entirely new kinds of proteins. Demis Hassabis and John Jumper have developed an AI model to solve a 50-year-old problem: predicting proteins’ complex structures. These discoveries hold enormous potential.

Mithun Chakraborty receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Actor Mithun Chakraborty, widely regarded as one of the most versatile figures in Indian cinema, will be honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2022.

Mithun Chakraborty’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a celebrated film star has been one of determination and resilience. Born Gourang Chakraborty on June 16, 1950, in Kolkata, West Bengal, he earned national recognition with his very first film, Mrigayaa (1976), for which he won the National Film Award for Best Actor. An alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Mithun went on to establish a lasting legacy in Indian cinema.

He rose to prominence with his role in Disco Dancer* (1982), a film that became a major success in India and abroad, and cemented his status as a dance icon. His dynamic performance and unique dance style in the film brought disco music into the mainstream of Indian cinema, and his popularity soared.

In addition to Disco Dancer, his notable work includes a powerful supporting role in Agneepath (1990), for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. Mithun Chakraborty has also garnered two more National Film Awards for his roles in Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998), showcasing his versatility across a range of genres. Mithun Chakraborty’s contributions are not limited to the silver screen. Over the course of a nearly five-decade-long career, he has acted in over 350 films across multiple languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri, and Telugu. His diverse filmography reflects his ability to portray a wide spectrum of characters, from action heroes to emotional, complex roles.

Mithun Chakraborty has also demonstrated his commitment to public service and social welfare through his tenure as a Member of Parliament. Mithun Chakraborty has been recognized with numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career, including the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors. His influence on Indian cinema is profound, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of actors, filmmakers, and audiences.

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024 given to Victor Ambros (Affiliation at the time of the award: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA) and Gary Ruvkun (Affiliation at the time of the award: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA)  for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.

The information stored within our chromosomes can be likened to an instruction manual for all cells in our body. Every cell contains the same chromosomes, so every cell contains exactly the same set of genes and exactly the same set of instructions. Yet, different cell types, such as muscle and nerve cells, have very distinct characteristics. How do these differences arise? The answer lies in gene regulation, which allows each cell to select only the relevant instructions. This ensures that only the correct set of genes is active in each cell type.