The world lights up when India celebrates

There is something profoundly moving about the glow of a Diwali lamp. Its light is gentle yet persistent, ancient yet alive — a symbol that transcends geography, culture, and creed.

- 

As I sit to pen this note, the scent of marigolds and the quiet hum of festive preparation fill the air. Across India and far beyond its shores, millions are preparing to celebrate the Festival of Lights — a celebration not merely of faith, but of the enduring triumph of hope over despair, light over darkness, and wisdom over ignorance.

Every Diwali, India tells the same story in countless languages, rituals, and rhythms. And yet, each year it feels new. There is a unique magic in watching a billion lamps flicker to life across cities, villages, and distant lands where the Indian diaspora has carried this light — from London to Lagos, from Toronto to Tokyo. In each tiny flame, there is an echo of belonging — to a civilisation that believes light must always find its way.

But what is perhaps even more beautiful is how this light draws others in. Every year, foreign diplomats posted in India become a part of this celebration — exchanging sweets, lighting diyas, donning traditional attire, and discovering the deeper meaning of a festival that welcomes all. They may have come from different corners of the world, but on Diwali night, they too become part of India’s extended family.