When gloom gave way to magic in the air
By: Anantha Subramanyam
Sky lanterns light up the faces of children of a lesser god
Rains have an affinity for the festival of lights. And on Wednesday evening, the first day of three day festivities, gloomy weather and rains dampened the spirits of many as they remained indoors observing a wet ‘Naraka Chaturdashi’.
Entrepreneurs Nithya Bodapati and Seema Sibbal, who are planning to establish a voluntary organisation ‘Angels of Wellness’ to help the needy, hit upon the idea of celebrating Diwali with the cancer-affected children.
When the lanterns were lit and were ready to go airborne, children were asked to make a wish. And the next few minutes were just magic. Even the rains eased for a few minutes. Sianath, a 11-year-old from Belgaum, who is being treated for last three months, said that he prayed for his little sister’s health and that god should spare her from such deadly disease. “Though we don’t celebrate Deepavali, I know people will burst crackers on this day. But, these sky-lanterns, this is a completely new experience to me,” said Sianath.
Yellappa, a 13-year-old from Bijapur, who had to cut short his school year to get admitted here for treatment, got emotional. “After months of my stay in hospital, more than the treatment, it is missing my school, friends and home was more painful. The celebrations this evening filled me with happiness.”
Sky lanterns light up the faces of children of a lesser god
Rains have an affinity for the festival of lights. And on Wednesday evening, the first day of three day festivities, gloomy weather and rains dampened the spirits of many as they remained indoors observing a wet ‘Naraka Chaturdashi’.
But the scene outside the children’s ward of a reputed oncology institute was quite different. Euphoric cries of children rang out, as lights from eco-friendly sky lanterns lit up their faces.
Entrepreneurs Nithya Bodapati and Seema Sibbal, who are planning to establish a voluntary organisation ‘Angels of Wellness’ to help the needy, hit upon the idea of celebrating Diwali with the cancer-affected children.
When the lanterns were lit and were ready to go airborne, children were asked to make a wish. And the next few minutes were just magic. Even the rains eased for a few minutes. Sianath, a 11-year-old from Belgaum, who is being treated for last three months, said that he prayed for his little sister’s health and that god should spare her from such deadly disease. “Though we don’t celebrate Deepavali, I know people will burst crackers on this day. But, these sky-lanterns, this is a completely new experience to me,” said Sianath.
Yellappa, a 13-year-old from Bijapur, who had to cut short his school year to get admitted here for treatment, got emotional. “After months of my stay in hospital, more than the treatment, it is missing my school, friends and home was more painful. The celebrations this evening filled me with happiness.”
