Diwali 2020 at Shantiniketan

This Diwali Ratna was organizing a special event at Shantiniketan (Old Age Home). In January 2020 Ratna lost her parents in a car accident. She was driving that day as she had received her license. Her family was very excited. All was going well till she looked at her mobile phone for a second. One second was all it took for her to lose her family. Ratna was in a coma for a month after the accident. It was astonishing that she survived the accident. When she woke up, she was in shock. She didn't even get a chance to arrange a funeral for her family. After she was discharged from the hospital, she went to the beach. There was nothing left for her to live anymore. Filled with guilt and trauma, she began to walk towards the water to attempt suicide. Ashaji saved her that day and took her to Shantiniketan. Shantiniketan was Ashaji’s 4 bedroom bungalow which was now a shelter for the old. Ashaji had started this initiative when her son settled in Sweden. She was not upset with her son. When Ratna asked her if she was angry, Ashaji replied ”My job was to raise my son. I don't own him. He visits me when he can. I am happy to share my life with these people. They are my family now.” Ratna was very amused by the positive attitude that Ashaji had. It gave her strength to overcome her dilemmas. Ratna decided to make Diwali a special one for the people at Shantiniketan as they had given her a new life. To mark the occasion with hope, Ratna made a beautiful rangoli and lit 101 diyas (lamps). When the oldies saw her effort they were very happy. There were music, food, and firecrackers. Everyone was very happy.

Sharma uncle danced with Madhu aunty. They started living at Shantiniketan when Ashaji found them at the signal selling flowers. After they came to an old age home, they found a new life and fell in love with each other. Ratna organized their wedding during the lockdown.

Sheila aunty sang her favorite song ”Jab koi can't bigad jaye..” She lost her husband to coronavirus. Ashaji found her at the hospital. She was overcoming depression with the help of her fellow housemates.

Raj Chacha entertained everyone with his jokes. He was living here out of his choice because he did not want his privacy to be compromised at his child’s house.

Shantiniketan was a place where people got together and found hope. This Diwali they gifted each other the power to celebrate life in grief and happiness. An old age home is not necessarily a place where people who are thrown out of their homes live. Shantiniketan symbolized a home for the old not the helpless. Ratna was not alone anymore. She found a new purpose and a new life. 

Dear friends, this Diwali let us pledge to make someone's life better by lighting a lamp of hope in their lives. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.