Searching the spectacular 14

Bengalis, don’t know whether special or not, are a specie of a different kind. Today while coming to office, I encountered a special occasion. My mother along with her Bengali accomplices in the colony will identify that they all possess 14 different varieties of edible green leaves that need to be cooked together during the day prior to Diwali and eaten with rice – our staple diet. Ya, fish is too. Anyway, yesterday she was able to gather half the number she actually needed. I think she got herself Spinach, Green Onion, Corriander, Bathua, Muli ka Saag, Sarson and Red Spinach. Today, a lot of exchanges will take place. The difficulty is – not all varieties are available in the market. So what to do? They will roam around the colony and pick the green ones from the gardens, whichever applicable.

The whole idea seemed a juvenile type. Just like the way kids ensure that they are not loosing on to something others possess, ladies would be out doing the same though in a more harmonious manner. This ritual has been carried on for long. The same day, 14 diyas will be lit as well as the auspicious number (considering Lord Rama’s return from exile after 14 years).

Yet, the significance of eating 14 different varieties of leaves seems pointless unless one is anaemic! So many years have gone by but I never bothered to ask her about its significance. I am quite curious now to know where the whole idea fits in our life apart from being sensitive to environment and going green in our approach. Well, seems Green Diwali is on!!!

Awaiting fireworks

It is amazing to recall the gone back days or years, and the ways we celebrated our much-loved Diwali. Who can forget the tablets to make various snake formations, hunters, pencils, anaars, phuljharis and my favourites – bijli, gola, chocolate bumbs.

I can recall the way Diwali was being awaited. The wait would go through extremes of selecting the right products at the right price, caring them under the sun so they live up to their potential and reputations. On the celebration day, early evening (though we were kids) it was all about assisting the smaller ones and taking all the pleasure of fireworks.

Late in the evening, when the celebration would come to a close, it would be all about getting into the mode and bring on the personal arsenals taken cared for long. Next day would be about reaping dividends! Some unused arsenals would be picked and disposed off properly and some will be saved for the right opportunity like Guru Nanak’s Birthday, Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Time has changed. While everyone is glued for some fireworks next week, the sensitive index too is awaiting a similar showdown. I am cautious again to pick right products (read shares). Hold them (under the sun). And, disburse them when the right occasion comes. I won’t spend all; will preserve some for other moments, when it would be fitting. Diwali has taken a different connotations altogether for me, and many in this turmoiled economy.

I wish everyone a happy and prosperous Diwali!!