As children, Diwali was a season of joy and excitement, a holiday filled with warmth, light, and family togetherness. We’d light our homes with diyas, the traditional oil-filled clay lamps, and our parents would take us to watch fireworks displays at Nairobi Gymkhana or Parklands Sports Club – a dazzling show that would last 20-30 minutes. At home, we would play with sparklers in our own gardens, adding our own little lights to the celebration.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is meant to symbolize the victory of light over darkness, of wisdom over ignorance. But in recent years, it feels as if the festival has transformed. Instead of a focus on inner reflection, we are increasingly seeing a display of material extravagance.

In Nairobi, large religious organizations and community gatherings often mean lavish firework displays lasting four hours each over four evenings, booming music, and endless festivities. While these spectacles might look impressive, it feels like they mask the true essence of Diwali. The ear-splitting fireworks, and the glowing but polluted skies often make it harder to reconnect with that deeper meaning. The environmental toll of excessive fireworks is heavy, releasing toxic chemicals into the air, impacting both air quality and our health. Noise pollution, too, disturbs not only humans but animals who are often traumatized by the loud explosions. And many, both within and outside of the Asian community, wonder how we can justify the huge expense at a time when daily life for the ordinary person has got increasingly harder. Surely redirecting these funds to charitable causes would have a far bigger impact than the extravagant display of fireworks?

It feels to us as if we’re losing sight of the festival’s spirit, opting for a louder, brighter, but ultimately, emptier celebration. It is so unbearable that we both leave Nairobi for the festive season and retreat to our small log cabin in Nanyuki.

So, how do we return to the roots of Diwali? How do we find light in simplicity and love in quietude?

Perhaps, this Diwali, each of us can start small by making personal choices that feel true to our hearts. Lighting a few candles at home, spending time with loved ones, practicing gratitude, or maybe just pausing for a few moments of reflection can remind us of Diwali’s essence. By simplifying our celebrations, we allow the true meaning of the festival—light, love, and renewal—to shine through.

Diwali doesn’t have to be a time of excess. In fact, it can be the exact opposite: a time to let go of unnecessary showiness and embrace a personal, quiet joy. This year, may we each find our unique way to celebrate – a way that reflects our values, protects our planet, and keeps the light of Diwali glowing brightly within.

Wishing you all a Diwali filled with peace, joy and laughter

Shalini & Amar

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