Perfect Diwali

Pragati Kumari
Nov 5 · 3 min read

Diwali — Lights, Love and Calories!

Just like any other place of India, Bhopal’s Kiran Society was beautifully decked up with marigold flowers, multicolored LED lights and brilliantly done rangolis. 1 kg of Kaju Katli, 500 grams of besan k laddoo and Gulab Jamun, loan expiration date were the frequently heard phrases. Wait, What? Loan Expiration Date? Where did this come from?

Five years back, a big-hearted social activist had given a share of his land on lease to some 50 families of Kiran Society. The agreement was for 10 years. After his sudden death, his shenanigan brother, who always dreamt of building a multiplex theatre, occupied the land. He sent a legal notice to the society for vacating the land. Since then, the society has been fighting for its right.

Pathak Sir has always been everyone’s favorite. He is a retired government school teacher who earns his living by giving tuitions. He took the lead to free himself and others from this adversity. Every month, he ran to the court on the hearing date.

The society had jointly taken a loan from the bank for fighting the case. The good news is they won the case. The sad news is they were still indebted to the bank for Rs.60000. They merely had Rs.30000. 25th October was the loan maturity date and 26th was Diwali. Mr. Pathak went to the bank with the hope that the banker would extend the loan expiration date for another month. The banker wasn’t ready to do so.

Mr. Pathak tried every possible thing he could. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done. He was a very humble person who wanted his fellow neighbors to celebrate this Diwali happily without any mental strain. Deep inside, he started praying to his ever-favorite Shiva! He closed his eyes and said, “Lord Shiva, please help me one last time. It’s not about me, it’s about everyone. I will give free tuitions to 10 students. Please help me.”

While he was busy praying, he heard some chaos around him. The Audit team from the Zonal Headquarters had come for a review. Pathak Sir rushed to the team and pleaded for help. The team told him about a new scheme called “Diwali Dhamaka”. As per the scheme, if you meet the eligibility criteria, then your loan will be waved off by 50 percent. It was a onetime offer. Pathak Sir’s eyes shone with shimmer. He immediately rushed to counter no. 6 to check if the necessary requirements were met. In his mind, he prayed again, “I will give free tuitions to 20 students. I’m one step away. Please help me!” It was a lucky day for Pathak Sir. Even if he would have wished for a BMW, Lord Shiva would have granted him the same. All the formalities were done and the loan was waved off.

In his mind, he thanked his ever-favorite God infinite times. He went to the temple and distributed laddoos to the kids. He could not stop thinking about the cheerful faces. He immediately got into an auto and rushed back to the society. Everybody was waiting for him. With the outburst of news, there was outburst of happy tears. The satisfaction seen on everyone’s face cannot be explained in words. The huge load of loan was finally off their head.

They celebrated the festival like never before. The Kaju Katli shone like diamonds, the glittery gulab jamuns, the crunchy aloo pakodas, the famous aam panna sharbat and desi music added more warmth and glitter to the festival.

P.S. Pathak sir did not forget his promise. He gave free tuitions to 20 kids and later opened a school that provided free education to more than 20 kids. :D

Pragati Kumari

A firm believer of the fact that food solves all problems because good food triggers good mood, which in turn emancipates happiness and serotonin!

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