Shillong, November 3: Deepawali- festival of lights- has gripped Shillong along with the rest of the country, albeit in a much smaller scale compared to previous years. On Sunday night there were some lighting in Khyndailad-Police Bazaar- but it was mellowed than earlier years.
An old resident of Shillong said, “Hopefully it will get better on Monday.” The ILP stir of the ngos have had its effect on Durga Puja and Diwali as the celebration in public places were much mellowed.
The district administration has also issued very few licenses for selling of crackers and Diwali bombs as the number of shops selling the Diwali essentials like fire crackers is almost half that what it used to be earlier.
However, people, irrespective of caste and creed, were seen bursting crackers illuminating the skyline of Shillong city and young children were seen bursting different kind of crackers, even if in smaller scale.
The festival symbolizes the victory of light over dark, good over evil and knowledge over darkness, and honors the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after 14 years of exile.
However the sweets vendors were doing brisk business as many people were lining up to buy sweets to gift it to their family members, friends, neighhours and acquaintances.
Despite the chilling weather on Saturday, hundreds of devotees came out of their homes and visited different puja mandaps which were beautifully decorated and illuminated with lights and performed prayers on the occasion of Kali puja.
East Khasi hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal said the shopkeepers in the city who have been issued with license to sell crackers got the permission with certain conditions for the safety of the people. – By Our Reporter
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