In a world riven by strife, disharmony and disconnection, Diwali reminds us that light is always around and there is always hope for a better tomorrow. The Festival of Light draws us in because it promises safety, renewal, and clarity—assurance that we are not lost.
But the Diwali of tomorrow must move beyond spectacle to become a shared meditation on inner peace, forgiveness, and collective healing.
Diwali this year falls on October 20.
Read on for the second part of the compilation of comments.
Diwali is for Everyone Everywhere
~ Chhavi Arya Bhargava
The power of holidays is that they can bring us together, even in a world where so much divides us. Diwali, the Festival of Light, asks us to let go of resentment, forgive, and start afresh. It reminds us through the story of the Ramayana that even in our darkest moments, light always finds its way back. When a child lights a diya for the first time and says, “Happy Diwali”, they are sharing light, joy, and hope.
As a teacher, I saw how the power of Diwali could bring children together and help them understand that there are many values across cultures that unite us. When we share the meaning of Diwali with children everywhere, no matter their faith or background, we give them a language for kindness, renewal, and empathy. That is why I wrote A Kids Book About Diwali, to spark these conversations and make space for every child to see themselves in this celebration of light.
The Diwali of tomorrow can be our bridge back to one another. It reminds us that healing rarely happens through grand gestures but through small, intentional acts: reading a story together, helping a neighbor, or inviting someone who does not celebrate to join in and learn the meaning behind it. These simple moments of connection are the diyas that brighten the world.
The future of Diwali comes from our children using it as a way to connect with others and rise above the forces that divide us. Diwali truly is for everyone, and we each have a part to play in making that a reality.
In the lead visual: Chhavi Bhargava with New Age guru Deepak Chopra.
Celebrate, Keeping in Mind the Harmony of Religions
~ Dr V.K. RajuDiwali is our ancient festival. Its key message is: dharma winning over adharma. Remember India’s National Motto: “Satyameva Jayate”. Truth always triumphs. Good always wins over evil in the long run. Festivals like Diwali become occasions to teach our children these fundamentals and emphasize the importance of continuous learning.
And we adults have to learn about the harmony of religions, not “my religion is better than yours.” The harmony of religions was first propounded and practised by Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda’s guru. The essence of religion is “do good, be good”. Let us keep that in mind when celebrating Diwali.
As an eye surgeon, I must add that when your children burst firecrackers, they should do so safely to avoid harming their eyes. Light of Diwali is important, so is vision.
Measure Diwali by How Softly Our Hearts Glow
~ Navni Chawla
There is a light that never asks for attention – it simply shines, and in doing so, heals.
In a world dimmed by conflict, distraction, and disconnection, Diwali stands as a timeless reminder that light has always been our oldest language of hope. Every diya we light is a quiet proclamation that even in the darkest darkness, the human spirit seeks illumination.
Psychologically, we are drawn to light because it represents safety, meaning, and renewal – the primal assurance that we are not lost. The light we seek outside is often the reflection of an inner longing for peace, connection, and clarity.
The Diwali of tomorrow must move beyond noise and spectacle to become an inward festival — a shared meditation on harmony, forgiveness, and collective healing. Imagine a world where lamps are lit not to compete in brightness, but to bridge divides; where homes glow not with fireworks, but with empathy. In each diya, we could place an intention — to listen deeply, give freely, and live consciously.
Light, in its purest form, does not discriminate. It embraces the joyous and the broken alike. When we light our lamps with this awareness, Diwali transforms from a ritual into a revolution — a spiritual act that restores balance to both heart and world.
Perhaps the world doesn’t need more brilliance, only more warmth. The Diwali of tomorrow will not be measured by how brightly our streets shine, but by how softly our hearts glow — in understanding, compassion, and shared light.
No Matter How Heavy the Darkness, I Choose Light
~ Kripa Ranjan Prasad
As Diwali approaches, it is tempting to see it as just another date on the calendar—a mainly Hindu holiday when you see rows of shimmering lamps, get-togethers and sweet treats shared with friends. But dig a little deeper, Diwali holds something the whole world is hungry for: the promise of new beginnings and the healing power of hope.
In a world often divided by misunderstanding and pain, the gentle act of lighting a small lamp can become a powerful tool for healing, declaring: “No matter how heavy the darkness, I choose light.”
Cleaning our homes and hearths takes on a new meaning—maybe it’s also time to sweep away old grudges, let go of ancient hurts, and make space for something fresh in our hearts.
When we visit neighbors, exchange simple gifts, or laugh together over a home-cooked meal, we’re building small bridges—showing that joy grows bigger when it’s shared.
Diwali’s real magic lies in its message: every person, regardless of their background, holds the power to forgive, to start anew, and to bring a little more light to the world.
Maybe that’s why, even outside India, the warm glow of Diwali finds a way into people’s lives—because the hope it offers belongs to us all.
So as the lamps flicker to life on Diwali every year, let each lamp be a silent wish: for connection to one another, for healing after hurt, for hope stronger than despair.
In a dark and divided world, sometimes it’s these simple, human things—a smile, a light, a second chance—that matter the most.
Message of ‘Vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ – Our World Family
~ Umesh Mehta
Diwali is the most celebrated and sacred festival in India, close to the heart of not only Hindus but also other communities. That points to its universal message. Diwali is a metaphor for renewal, forgiveness, and hope–hope for a peaceful world (Vasudhaiva kutumbakam) with luminous lights of togetherness in these turbulent times.
In a practical way, Diwali teaches us to learn life lessons from Maryada Purushottam Ram: to live peacefully in this world, but when it becomes necessary to end evil, be prepared to do so.
A Blueprint for Healing a Fractured World
~ Adithi Menon & Shivani Patel
The Diwali of tomorrow is transcendental – it is a universal metaphor for hope, renewal, and forgiveness—a blueprint for healing a fractured world. In turbulent times marked by division and darkness, the simple act of lighting a diya resonates with a profound, shared human truth: light will always triumph over darkness.
Diwali calls for a collective, annual renewal, where we symbolically cleanse our homes and our hearts. The act of gathering with family and friends to share sweets and watch fireworks models the very unity the world requires. The simple act of lighting a lamp transforms a religious ritual into a collective declaration of optimism.
The message of Diwali—the victory of good over evil—urges individuals to tackle their personal darkness and extend that fight outward to societal injustices. It asks us to look beyond our trivial differences and recognize our common humanity. By focusing on fundamental human values—prosperity, kindness, and hope—Diwali provides a timeless framework for peace and its capacity to bring light to the world.
For first part of this post, go to…
For Indians, Diwali is Christmas and New Year rolled into one. The Festival of Lights, once celebrated largely within the …
