Lighting a diya in lonely hearts

Mohit Khanna

It’s all about love and longing. It’s all about a small gesture. It’s all about spreading love. It sure does not take much!

The Children Home and Senior Citizen Home in Sector 15 are receiving many unknown visitors for Diwali celebrations this time around. City residents are sure making sincere efforts to lessen the loneliness of the elderly and orphans!

People from different walks of life, including college students and volunteers from various NGOs, are doing their best to brighten the life of people who have reached the fag end of their lives. Says Vandna Bhatia, manager of the senior citizen home, “Diwali here will be no different; there will be prayers and later, elders will light diyas as well as candles. Cultural programmes are already in progress and they will continue till October 20.”

Child’s play

Barely a kilometre away, the entrance of the Children Home is all decked-up. Children are beautifully dressed; while the boys are busy playing games, girls are collectively making Rangoli.

Varsha Rani, Manager of the Children Home, says, “Children have agreed to celebrate a green Diwali this year. Many philanthropists and volunteers from various NGOs are visiting Children Home to celebrate the festival of light. Besides sharing sweets, they are also holding various events for the entertainment of children. However, for any such programme, prior permission is required from Director Social Welfare, Nishu Singhal.”