Diwali season: When NRIs miss home the most

Generally, the Diwali season is the prime time during which NRIs feel extremely homesick, which is further rubbed in by constant wishes from relatives back home and by programmes and news on the Indian channels. This is the time when NRIs feel whether it was really worth leaving the festivities, hustles, fun and frolic back home and settle here instead.The Diwali holidays, crackers, lightings; can the same be replicated here? Well, to top it up, if you're form Maharashtra, it begins with the Ganesh Chaturthi, Dahi Handi, Independence Day, Dussehra and then Diwali.
Yes, there are celebrations abroad in every Indian household but can the original feeling even be brought back? It is this time when NRIs miss home the most, get patriotic outbursts and value their hometown like never before. Be it the US, the Gulf or the Far East, your home will always remain home; your root, your existence and nothing replaces the festive bonanzas. Well yes, you could keep taking small breaks from your routine and travel home during this time, but is this the solution to your problem? The least the NRI's could do is to be together, hold on with one another and enjoy every moment of this time. Make your children feel like they are back in the country, never make them miss home. Or for the matter of fact, read books like The Lowland or Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri.
At the end of it all, it's the roots that you hold on to, the values you impart and the manners you teach your children that is the deciding factor. These times can essentially be the deciding times, testing times, those that can be cherished forever and breed togetherness in the highest degree. So yes, we might not be able to celebrate the Diwali the way we used to do in India, but we are not far behind. After all, we are the products of India and we will never lose our sense of being Indians.
One always has to think about his origins and ponder about such things and, in turn, think about his homeland, his country and ways to serve it rather than getting patriotic only during such times. Such times are definitely a sensitive time, but it also gives one a way to think about how lucky he is to be born with such a culturally rich country. In fact, how many of us even know the cause of these festivals? Not implying that the ones in the country do, however, we must strive to make that difference. Also, always make it a point to celebrate each festival with its spirit. Nothing enriches you and makes you happier than this. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "be the change you want to see". Always strive to be the emissary for the same. Drag all your non-Indian friends too in your Diwali celebrations and show them what a rich country you belong to.
Happy Diwali!