“The whole fun of Diwali is people giving presents to each other and meeting. We couldn’t do that this year”
Theodore Hargreaves wearing bright clothes for this year's Diwali. Photo: Neil Hargreaves/Facebook. - Credit: Neil Hargreaves/Facebook
A father who grew up in Newport said he did not have the usual family reunion for this year’s Diwali.
The family created Rangoli to celebrate Diwali this year, mixing colours and fine sand. Photo: Neil Hargreaves/Facebook. - Credit: Neil Hargreaves/Facebook
Alistair Hargreaves celebrated the Indian festival of lights with his Gujarati wife, Tina and mixed race son, Theodore.
He said: “The whole fun of it is people giving presents to each other and meeting with their family. We couldn’t do that this year.”
The family was still eager to celebrate, so they put up bunting and lit candles and little lamps throughout the house.
They wore bright, new clothes and cleaned the house, as the day after Diwali is New Year’s Day. “It’s about a fresh start,” he said.
Tina, Theodore and Alistair were committed to celebrate Diwali despite not being able to meet their wider family. Photo: Neil Hargreaves/Facebook. - Credit: Neil Hargreaves/Facebook
You may also want to watch:
They also created a Rangoli on the floor.
“We draw shapes with chalk, we get colours and fine sand, and then we pour the sand on to the colours and spread the whole thing out. It’s really hard to do it.
Most Read
- 1 Uttlesford Covid case rates decline means they are now the lowest in Essex
- 2 Council row over near £1 million underspend on road repairs
- 3 New Local Plan: 'Housing and transport should be planned together'
- 4 Red engraved gem from iron ring is older than was previously thought
- 5 Jack Petchey Foundation achievement awards for three Saffron Walden students
- 6 Essex County Council approves council tax increase
- 7 Housing sites sought by Uttlesford District Council
- 8 Historic structures on Uttlesford heritage list
- 9 Covid survival rates in Essex are among worst in country
- 10 Two Covid swab kit sites open in Uttlesford
“When it’s finished, it looks like paint.”
He added: “Like a lot of Indian things, food is very important. We don’t drink during Diwali. We have lots of sweets made of nuts.”
Alistair said Diwali is the biggest family celebration for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, and that different religions all come together for the same festival.
He said it is as important as Christmas is to Christians, but it is also similar to Easter, in that it does not have a set date across October and November.
He thinks it’s good having government figures such as Rishi Sunak, showcasing different cultures.
Alistair said: “It’s so good having different identities in the government, showing different cultures and different festivals at a very high level.”