Scientific studies prove it beyond doubt that switching to sustainable living is the key to ensure well-being of the planet and subsequently that of humanity. COVID- 19 crisis which the world is battling with, has substantially proved how irresponsible & self- centered human action has been the cause of environmental stress. These times of crisis raise a clarion call for Humanity to switch from unsustainable choices & lifestyles to sustainable ones.
Sustainable lifestyles means consistent sustainable choices reflected in each an every act of life. Therefore giving a sustainable turn to the lavish Diwali celebration, DJJS since last 6 years has been commemorating Green Diwali. The idea is to cut down on resource wasting practices and turning to greener options.
The reality is that Diwali as was celebrated in ancient India was actually sustainable. Deepawali as was traditionally known as Deepotsav was literally an act of lighting up the dark no – moon night (Amavasya) with earthen lamps in celebrations. Use of these handmade deepaks with cow milk ghee (clarified butter) or mustard oil, actually acted as anti- bacterial, anti- viral, cleansing agents for the surrounding air. DJJS Green Diwali embraces this practice and ditching the energy intensive lighting, we lighted up our Ashrams with handmade earthen lamps.
Rangolis, another highlight point of the Diwali, also had a pro- environmental value attached to them. Decoration was not the only intent, which ancients had behind making these rangolis, but being actually connected with nature, they wanted share their celebration with each and every organism in Nature. Therefore, instead of any chemical additive, they used food- based edible colors as well as flowers to make these rangolis, which later served as sumptuous meal for micro- fauna. DJJS Ashrams were also decorated with such beautiful natural colored treats for micro- fauna.
In addition, ditching the unsustainable plastic decorations, we preferred flower based and recycles decoratives thereby cutting down on heaps of plastic waste generated post Diwali. Though this year, owing to COVID- 19 crisis, the celebration was more or less an internal affair, but DJJS managed to make a Green statement motivating several people around them to practice the same.
