Diwali - The Festival of Lights

Diwali, according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar, is celebrated on the full-moon night between mid-October and mid-November. Also known as the 'Festival of Lights', Diwali is celebrated by the lighting of traditional clay lamps (diyas) and bursting fireworks. Although everybody celebrates the festival, sadly, not everyone is aware of the true significance of this holy festival.

The return of Lord Rama, after 14 years of 'vanvaas' (banishment), to the city of Ayodhya was celebrated by the lighting of 'diyas' - hence the name 'The Festival of Lights'. However, the spiritual significance of Diwali is the triumph of good over evil. Literally, this is portrayed through the slaying of Ravan by Lord Rama. This symbolically refers to the light of knowledge expelling ignorance which leads to knowledge of the oneness of everything. Diwali, in fact, is celebration of this self-enlightenment.

Farewell Steve Jobs

About a month after the initial rumors of Steve Job’s failing health (pancreatic cancer to be precise), the hallways of Apple Inc. have lost their animation. A group of dementors swooped down from Azkaban and sucked the living soul out of the world’s leading smartphone vendor. And Tim Cook isn’t doing much to help the situation. After his excessively boring presentation at the unveiling of the iPhone 4S, it is impossible to imagine that Apple Inc., as a company, will maintain the high standards set by Steve Jobs. I always felt that he was the company. He thought of a concept, put it on paper, developed a prototype, perfected his idea and finally gave the world one more thing to WOW about. The people that he hired were there to help him make his coffee and take out the trash. With him gone, my faith in the creativity of the company is starting to falter.

At the age of 56, Steve Jobs was just starting to deliver to the world what he had in stock. His loss will be greatly felt by us – the teenagers. Although not a complete loyal, 3 out of 5 gadgets I use are Apple products. And a handsome percentage of other teenagers also move around with symbols of a genius’s masterpieces. But maybe I’m being unnecessarily melodramatic. Putting the unveiling of the iPhone 4S behind our backs and starting with a clean slate, Tim Cook should start walking along the lines of his predecessor. There might still be some hope for him if he can work on his grievous public speaking skills (I think he is glossophobic). Otherwise, I can only hope for the best!