Right since childhood, we Indians are taught that Diwali is a festival of lights. But I think there’s more to it. The festival of lights has a deeper meaning than what is propagated.

As I delve deeper into the religious background of the festival, I discover that lighting lamps, making rangolis, decorations, is just the authentic part of it. The real meaning of Diwali is cleansing one’s self from insecurities, ignorance, vengeance, hatred. Good riddance from unwanted and evil, is what Diwali is all about. And what’s why this festival holds special significance for me.

I stay away from the meaningless celebrations such as bursting firecrackers not only because they are anti-ecofriendly, but because animals are greatly impacted in these few days due to loud noise and pollution. So Diwali mood usually drags me into a cleaning spree. Decluttering, organising, shifting things here to there, but mostly getting rid of unwanted stuff. By the by, I also enjoy the sweet delicacies made especially on Diwali and my mom’s an expert cook at that.

Few days ago I realised that I haven’t been receiving posts from most writers that I like. My reader would not populate their posts. For some time, it was all right and then it started to really annoy me to find only a few blogs and their posts repeatedly posted.

A little digging revealed that most blogs I follow have died out. And that’s when it hit me that I’m following way too many blogs – 1808 precisely. More than half of these blogs have gone inactive since years, while most others haven’t posted anything in a long time. These blogs have cluttered up the space barring other posts from showing up.

Since I’m frantic about cleaning up things, I started it with my blog. I have begun to declutter it of the inactive blogs. In the last few days, I’ve gotten rid of about 565 blogs I used to follow. Voila! Now I can see posts from writers who do write actually. See! You see the sun, only when the clouds are gone.

And now, may the festive season inspire you to live happily surrounded by loved ones, that evil makes no home in your heart. Here’s wishing all you guys a sparkling and prosperous Diwali!

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Asha Seth