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The ones who don't celebrate Diwali...
Tuesday November 13, 2012 06:47:05 PM,
IANS
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"In view of the rapid computerization, most traders across the
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New Delhi: In the last
25 years, Attar Singh has celebrated Diwali only once with his
family. The reason? He is a fire fighter here, and the tribe
doesn't get a holiday on Diwali.
"I have been working with the fire department for a quarter
century. In this long period, I have celebrated Diwali just once
with my family," said the man posted at Bhikaji Cama Place in
south Delhi.
Attar Singh is not the only one. Across the city, fire fighters,
police personnel, hospital staff and employees providing essential
services don't get to enjoy the festival of lights.
"We have got used to celebrating Diwali on the road with fellow
policemen," said a constable at an intersection near Hauz Khas in
south Delhi.
"Our kids miss us but what choice do they or we have?" he asked,
with a request that he should be named in the story.
Another policemen admitted that this did hurt their feelings --
because they ended up missing Diwali -- undoubtedly India's most
loved and secular festival -- year after year.
"At times I do feel jealous when I see people with their families
shopping for Diwali," a head constable at Karol Bagh market in
central Delhi told IANS.
"But what calms me down is the realization that the mass of people
can shop without any worry because I am here to protect them," he
added.
The maximum that fire fighters get to do is light candles and
diyas at the fire stations that dot Delhi.
But even this limited celebration ends when SOS calls come through
on Diwali nights.
Another fire fighter, Sham Saran, admitted they felt bad missing
Diwali celebrations with families.
"But someone has to do the job," he said, and added that they are
on call 24 hours.
The story is no different for hospital doctors and nurses.
"We get patients with burn injuries in the days leading to the
festival. On Diwali we get serious cases," said a doctor at the
Sardarjung Hospital in south Delhi.
"At that point of time you just can't think of your family because
your focus is on saving the patient," he said.
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