A bright Diwali

Indians and foreigners celebrating Diwali together

It’s all bright and cheery in the UK. Not to say that it isn’t in Delhi – despite the many factors working to make this Diwali a little subdued, Delhi is still in festival mood. But in Britain, the sobering factor of the recession doesn’t seem to have touched the Indian diaspora’s festive spirit. Is it a deliberate attempt on their part, or has the slowdown really not touched them? Abhimanyu Bhasin, a resident of Wallington, is not really worried about his Diwali shopping expenses. He says he knows how to manage his money wisely. “I had saved enough money to ensure that nothing hampered my family’s festive mood,” says Abhimanyu. Busy shopping for clothes, crackers and utensils, Abhimanyu says us that not many NRIs are keen on buying gold jewellery. “To be frank, people here in the UK don’t buy gold as much they purchase pearls. Artificial jewellery is also a hit with many.” However, the sale of gold coins and bars has been quite high. According to Satendra Khanna, who works at a jewellery shop in Leicester, “Economic recession hasn’t affected the sales of gold. People have bought gold coins for Dhanteras. They all know gold is the best and safest investment.” Pratima Misra, another NRI who stays in the Lake District, also doesn’t see recession affecting her Diwali celebrations. “Since the Indian community in the Lake District comprises of a 100-odd people, Diwali celebrations here have never been a grand or lavish affair. I know that back home in India, people do shop extensively. But shopping for Indian clothes and articles here would mean more than an hour long drive to Leicester. Nonetheless, the Indian community here hires a hall and celebrates Diwali together. Since this is around the time when Guy Fawkes Day is also observed, fireworks are never an issue. But yes, we’re expected not to burst crackers in our houses.” According to Hiren Patel, an architect, prices have shot up due to the recession, resulting in a slump in his disposable income. “Prices have gone up by about 25 per cent. Since I prioritise my basic monthly shopping over festive shopping, there’s not a lot of cash that I’m left with. Diwali celebrations are essentially about meeting old friends,” he says. However, there is another, less cheerful note to Diwali celebrations there. “You have to come here to see how people continue to be discriminated against on the basis of religion and caste. They prefer to restrict themselves to their own communities,” says a source, on condition of anonymity, but adds on a positive note, “The economic tsunami, as I call it, hasn’t really hit us. People are still prosperous and that’s what really makes me feel great this Diwali.”