- The Diwali breakfast spread. 5 kinds of Poha: Dry, in Milk, in Coconut Milk, in Curd, with Jaggery. Banana Halwa. Usal. Spicy Cucumber Raita. And we all get up really early to make it. (sorry, no pics).
[Mini-update]: I missed out Ambadyachi Karam. Chutney made of some raw mango-like thing. - Meeting people: Friends and relatives. It isn’t the same here in Gurgaon, because the ties aren’t the same.
- Puja. This one’s a comfort zone because you don’t feel awkward at other people’s houses. I’m not orthodox, just clumsy and I wouldn’t want to offend people by doing or saying something inappropriate.
And three things I don’t
- Pollution. The firecrackers add to the notoriously polluted Bombay weather. That coupled with closely spaced buildings makes it worse. Not to mention the noise that reverberates. There’s more open space here.
- Narkasur. Reenacting the tale symbolically is fine. But waking people, who want to sleep an extra hour, is just criminal. I prefer the way they do it in Goa. Collectively. Not individually.
- Crowds. The maddening rush to get away from Gurgaon. Or the crowds at the airport. In the trains. Staying back is comfortable.
And on a totally different note. Here’s something to share the Diwali cheer. Anaggh has posted on his blog about contributing to Charity via blog comments, tweets, texts, gifts. As of yesterday evening and today morning more people have come forward. Wish us (@anaggh, @b50, @nichetechie, @atulkarmarkar, @prolificd @sizzler_chetan, @sudhiru, @shayonpal and we collectively contribute Rs. 11.50 to charity (Educating the girl child). You can also use the #deepwish tag
Additionally, I’m contributing Rs. 2 to the same charity, for every comment on my blog.
Have a great Diwali. And a happy new year to all those celebrating it 
[UPDATE 1]: @hp_lifelive has added Rs. 2. So now we’re at Rs. 13.50. Keep the tweets coming.
[UPDATE 2]: @iamshishir is contributing Rs. 2. That makes it Rs. 15.50. Update via Bombay Addict’s post (@b50)
[UPDATE 3]: Anaggh’s blog post is now updated to reflect status of #deepwish. Collection strategy is in progress. Keep checking tweets.
Happy Diwali.
Cheers to new beginnings (like the charity above)
Best!
Thanks a lot. Wish you the same
The breakfast seems lovely. We have never had traditional breakfast – probably because my mom was never a traditional person. She just lived life completely. One of these days, god and you be willing, would love to sample the exquisite breakfast so described.
I wish I had known about how you feel during puja at people’s place. This time of course there was a sense of emptiness, but otherwise you would feel part of the ceremony and the puja – I promise you do. So next year?
Happy Diwali Guru
You should come to Bombay for Diwali, Asmita. I’ll be there next year and you’re invited. A whole year in advance. As for the pooja, yes. I’m still comfortable at my own place. It’s the rituals. Once I ate the rice puffs that I was supposed to offer the gods. Heh.
Happy Diwali
Tweets that mention On Diwali. Three things I miss and three I don’t -- Topsy.com // Oct 17, 2009 at 9:49 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Surekha Pillai, Prolific Dyslexic. Prolific Dyslexic said: @b50 posted here too http://bit.ly/D7NiS #deepwish [...]
You should give me the chance to meet you up sometime oh prolific one! And great gesture on the charity thingie.
You are the man! Keep it rocking….& we shall split a pitcher in Pune when you are down next. Happy Deepavali & a new year to you. Thanks for the support.
Arre wah! Superb idea!
Here’s wishing you all a happy, prosperous and safe Diwali
Oh… btw, yeh Narkasur kaun hai?
Ooh… Got it. Just checked your reply to @surekhapillai.
nice post…………… thanks
Dude… It’s Rs 17.50 per wish, now!! #FTW!!
Wish you a very Happy Diwali, and loads of support for #DeepWish
Happy diwali #deepwish for charity – support us! | Social Networking // Oct 18, 2009 at 2:32 am
[...] us and spread the news on twitter Check anaggh’s post, Shayon’s post and prolificd’s post and b50’s post! Related Posts:Happy DeepawaliAn example why girls don't tweetMaking money [...]
Its time to be Good :) « Live with Me // Oct 18, 2009 at 8:49 am
[...] http://www.prolificdyslexic.com/blog/?p=476 [...]
One day, Rs. 53,417 for Charity – #deepwish | Social Networking // Oct 18, 2009 at 10:51 pm
[...] wish later with the support from so many amazing tweeps! Check anaggh’s post, Shayon’s post and prolificd’s post and b50’s post! A few of b50’s tweets talking about the final count [...]