Teen Talk: Why Diwali Is So Important for Desi Kids
And why not having it reflected adequately in their schools deprives Indian American teens of a sense of belonging. Meanwhile, they continue to celebrate it outside of their schools with gusto, creating unique experiences of cultural juggling.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is undeniably one of India’s largest and most beloved festivals. Each year, it brings communities together in a shared celebration that spans generations. With its shimmering diyas, vibrant rangolis, and delicious sweets, Diwali is the very embodiment of what Indian culture is, all wrapped up in a tiny little bow.
I find that it is the diverse personal experiences and memories that give Diwali its true meaning. For example, 10th grader Keya Sekharan remembers it as a time to savor her mom’s rava laddoos. To 16-year-old Shreya Upadhyay, Diwali is racing her brother to see who can light the most diyas. And for me, a very mature and responsible individual, Diwali is the perfect opportunity to chase your enemies with sparklers while practicing your evil villain laugh (I do not condone this behavior).
But all awful jokes aside, it cannot be overstated just how important Diwali is, especially to us desi kids. Keya maintains that Diwali allows her to “feel more connected to Indian culture as someone who doesn’t necessarily do a lot of traditional ‘Indian things.’” 10th grader Saina Deo echoes this sentiment, simply explaining that Diwali is special to her because “it’s a chance for all my family and friends to get together.”
And yet, as meaningful as Diwali is to us, I find the celebration to be its own kind of beast when living in a country where it is some exotic foreign festival.
[Right] Keya Sekharan feels that her school would mention Diwali over the intercom system or put up a Diwali poster in the hall, it would have a profound impact on her, making her feel that her culture is acknowledged among her peers.
How is Diwali recognized in school?
It’s safe to say that much of who we are as teens is influenced by our time in school. No, I'm not talking about the quadratic equations that we learn in class; I am saying that what we perceive to be “cool” and “important” often stems from what we see being acknowledged and celebrated in our schools. That is why it is so important for our schools to showcase our Indian festivals. A mention of the festival over the intercom system or a Diwali poster in the hall can have such a profound impact. Keya explains that these seemingly small gestures are “a signal from non-Indians that ‘we see you, we hear you, and we want to celebrate you as well.’” And this truly does make all the difference.
But do schools really care about Diwali? The answer may be reflected in the presence—or rather, the absence—of a Diwali break. Being stuck studying about the federal judiciary while we could be participating in Diwali festivities is simply unfair, and not just because AP Gov is the bane of my existence . On American holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, I am never expected to memorize the periodic table or take hundreds of pages of notes. Shreyas Singh, who attends Alpharetta High School, reflects the same feeling by saying, “Teachers don't seem to consider Diwali when assigning coursework or homework, and while it shouldn't have to be celebrated by every- one, at the very least, those who are celebrating it should be able to do so without having to worry about assignments.”
This is why I believe that getting a day off on the occasion can only do good. Truly, I wish Diwali received more recognition than just a day with loud fireworks because it is more than that. I believe that we will only ever feel valued and included when our schools reflect this mentality.
[Left] This year, Diwali coincides with Halloween. Shreya Upadhyay believes “it’s important to celebrate other festivals even though you’re not part of that culture because that is the point of festivals like Diwali: they are meant to spread happiness.”
Lehengas and… witch hats?
This year, Diwali coincides with Halloween. As exciting as the prospect of mixing candy corn and laddoos is, the clashing of these two holidays leads to a much broader question, and perhaps a broader fear, around balancing Indian and American festivals. While Shreya explains that she never feels the stress of juggling these celebrations, Keya finds that society can be exclusionary and a bit hypocritical. Although America is often described as the “melting pot of cultures,” she finds that our society loves to put people into boxes: “You’re Indian, so you can only celebrate Diwali. You’re Christian, so you can only celebrate Christmas.” Keya says, “A lot of people forget what the true essence of holidays and festivals is to share your culture.”
[Right] For Saina Deo, Diwali is special because “it’s a chance for all my family and friends to get together.”
At least some of this sharing has started happening. My Caucasian neighbors spend every Diwali with us, lighting fireworks and celebrating. Shreya loves to “blow things up” on Diwali with her non-Indian neighbors, and Saina loves singing and dancing at her neighborhood Diwali celebrations. And sharing and celebrating all cultures is what we desi kids do when we never miss a chance to go trick-or-treating during Halloween. Shreya sums it perfectly: “I feel like it’s important to celebrate other festivals even though you’re not part of that culture because that is the point of festivals like Diwali and Halloween: they are meant to spread happiness.”
Being both Indian and American shapes how we celebrate, creating unique experiences of navigating this duality with some cultural juggling.
We worry about passing on Diwali traditions to our next generation
For most of us, our connection with Diwali has been possible because of our parents. Their knowledge and experience of the festival is something they have brought with them, and without that, Diwali would cease to exist in the U.S. However, the question is whether those traditions will remain for generations to come. The baton then is in the hands of us, the second-generation immigrant children, to ensure that these traditions aren’t stamped out of American life.
How does this heavy responsibility affect us? Keya explains that when thinking of her own children, she worries that she won't be able to pass down parts of the cultural identity that have meant so much to her. She says, “It's depressing to feel that some traditions are ending with me. Celebrating Diwali, making sweets—I don’t know if those sorts of things would be in my future household.” Saina shares similar feelings, explaining that she doesn’t fully grasp all aspects of the history and traditions that define Diwali. As the years pass, she worries she’ll miss many key details of Diwali and other Indian festivals for her kids. Keya and Saina find themselves in a game of catch-up, trying to learn new languages and traditions before college separates them from home. Shreyas Singh also worries that important traditions like the Lakshmi Puja will be lost. He says, “It's hard to maintain such traditions without someone who knows what they're doing, because, essentially, you have to become that person who knows what they're doing.”
[Left] Shreyas Singh worries that important Diwali traditions like the Lakshmi Puja will be lost to the next generation of Indian Americans.
However, while this task can feel overwhelming, it also presents a unique opportunity to reconnect with our heritage on a deeper level. It should be a time to learn new traditions and make our own in the process. This allows us to shape a version of our culture that is both respectful of the past and relevant to our present, ensuring that Diwali will continue for generations to come while also putting our own stamp on it.
All in all, Diwali is more than just a festival. It is a vital link to our heritage and identity. While balancing dual cultures can be challenging, Diwali allows us to deepen our connection to India and shape new traditions. By embracing both our Indian roots and American experiences, we ensure that Diwali remains a meaningful celebration for future generations.
Column host Gia Agarwal is a 10th-grader who, when not crushing it in her advanced writing classes, is out there living every book lover's dream. She can be reached at TeenTalk@Khabar.com.
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