DEEPAVALI MESSAGE

 

We hear today so much of nuclear deals and treaties. There are some who see through it all imperialist ambitions of so-called democratic nations.  Are they not all smitten with the fever of domination and exploitation? I am afraid the liberty of which they speak is the liberty for limited groups.  And I recall the words of that great historian of democracy, Tocqueville. Did he not say that he saw in democracy a danger for liberty?

Sri Rama was made in a different mould.  He conquered Lanka but did not annex it to his Kingdom.  On its throne he set up a worthy son of the soil and departed for Ayodhya. Year after year, the Deepavali returns with the age-old message: “Kindle the light!”

It is the light which breathes hope into discouraged hearts, strengthens the weak, and sets the spirit of man aflame. It kindles the light that is underlying-- the light that can never be extinguished.

This light is the hope of our sinking civilization.

                                       
--J.P. VASWANI