I love holidays in India because, for all the ways that they are different than anything I’ve ever seen, the feelings of excitement and celebration are incredibly familiar. Step out onto the street on an Indian holiday and you can feel something special in the air. Women are dressed in fancy new saris, decorations are strung across the streets, vendors set up street stalls to sell idol figurines and candles - add a few evergreen trees and nix the Hindu gods, and it wouldn’t feel that different than Christmas. And, of course, nothing is more familiar than the excitement of children during a big holiday - which is why I was so glad to be invited to the Diwali celebration at the Guria children’s center.
Guria is a Varanasi-based NGO that I’ve become familiar with in the past few months. They work to prevent human trafficking and forced prostitution. In addition to the investigative and legal work that they do (founder Ajeet spent 9 months undercover in the red light district of Allahbad, gathering information about underage prostitution and police corruption. Total badass.), Guria also tries to prevent second generation prostitution through their non-formal education center. Located in the red light district of Varanasi, the center provides after school programming and meals for the children of prostitutes, giving them support (emotional as well as financial) so that they can stay in school and have futures that don’t lead towards prostitution. It’s a wonderful organization, run by incredibly dedicated individuals Ajeet and Manju. I heard about Guria in conversation, and spent a few afternoons at the children’s center. The kids are cheerful and outgoing, and love any bit of attention they can get. I found it really rewarding to go, and was more impressed with Guria each time I went.
Celebrated in the days surrounding November 5, Diwali - the festival of lights - is perhaps the biggest holiday of the year. The kids, normally quite energetic and eager for attention, were on a whole new level. They shrieked with Diwali excitement, hugged us and hung on us, sang Bollywood songs and demanded their photos to be taken. They’d been divided into two teams in a decorations contest, and the kids dragged us by the hand to show off their creations. After we casted our votes in the decorations contest, we all headed to the roof for a fireworks show. The kids loved the explosions and lights, and I did too - although the equation of explosives + many small children + small rooftop space seemed a bit precarious to me. But that’s India for you.
Overall, it was the best way I would have wanted to experience an Indian Diwali. Check out Guria’s website (http://www.guriaindia.org/) and keep them in mind during your holiday season. And, of course, HAPPY DIWALI!
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| Ben with a friend. |
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| Decorations. |
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| Miah and Maya |
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| Me and my man Talib. |
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| Rooftop lights. |
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| Fireworks! |
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| In awe of fireworks. |
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