I must begin with an apology for the delay in writing this new post. Like a number of other families , Teckchandani family has also been facing a difficult time as my eldest uncle was recently diagnosed with COVID and is currently hospitalized due to worsening of symptoms. Following the demise of my eldest Tayi (Aunty) earlier this year, all of us have been very worried given Taya's sudden health deterioration. I pray for his well being and for him to return home soon.
It has also been quite an uneventful Diwali this year. Delhi is facing the double whammy of COVID as well as increased air pollution levels during this period largely due to the stubble burning by farmers in neighboring states and the current weather conditions which makes it difficult for pollutants to disperse given low wind speed. Delhi is currently witnessing a third COVID wave with approximately 7500 new cases every day which is putting pressure on healthcare facilities. For most Delhites, Diwali has been a muted affair this year. There was no hustle and bustle on the streets/in the neighborhood.
As a kid, I always used to refer to Diwali as Saibhaji Day as Saibhaji/Sat Bhaji and Pulao are always cooked for Lunch at our home on Diwali. As kids, whenever we queried mummy as to why we are always served Saibhaji on Diwali day ; her standard reply was " Dyaari jo diyan dadho vadho hoondo aa ; hine diyar sat bhajiyun thahendi aahin" ( Diwali Day is an extremely auspicious one ; Seven vegetables are cooked together on this day). We also do a small Lakshmi Puja in the evening. As a young kid, I enjoyed going to New Rajinder Nagar market with mummy to buy "Hatdi" (Lakshmi Hut) and " Patasa" for the Puja. We usually have relatives coming over in the evenings starting a few days before Diwali ; however, this year the celebrations have been limited to wishing each other on whatsapp and telephonic conversations.
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| Diwali Puja at Teckchandani Residence. (Hatdi is right in the centre next to Shiv Bhagwan's statue) |
1st November is also the Varsi Diwas of Sant Kanwarram Sahib. Lajpat Nagar (Delhi) based Sindhi Navjeevan Sabha in light of the economic difficulties being faced by the community, have initiated two programs to assist fellow members on this day. The first one relates to providing generic medicines to needy Sindhis. The families just need to share their pharmacy bill for medicines procured from Government's Jan Aushadi Store which sell generic medicines at a hugely discounted price. The amount will immediately be transferred by Sabha to the beneficiaries. The second program relates to providing financial assistance to Small Scale Sindhi entrepreneurs who have suffered financial losses due to COVID. Sabha will provide sums of money to help these businessmen restart their projects .
In my opinion, Sindhi Navjeevan Sabha, is one of the few progressive Sindhi NGO's that has always worked to provide assistance at grassroot level. I deeply admire their work carried out under the able leadership of Dada Amar Manshani. Readers who may be interested to assist in these projects can contact him on +917042247601.
I end with this lovely rendition of (Late) Kanwar Ram Sahib's "Naale Alakh Je " by Dada Ghanshyam Vaswani. It is always a pleasure listening to Vaswani Dada. I hope you like it too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKciDLZFNMI
Jai Jhulelal.May Lal Saeen Bless us all!
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