ENGLISH CONVERSATION - A FESTIVAL

The Verma family celebrate diwali, the festival of lights.

Vikram Mamma. Today we have a holiday for Diwali. My teacher told me that this is the day
when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing the king of Lanka, Ravana.

Mrs.Verma Rama rescued sita from Ravana

Reena Vikram, did you see the Dusherra where they burnt the effigies of Ravana,
Meghnath and Kumbhkaran?

Mrs.Verma Yes, I took Vikram to witness the Dusherra celebrations. I am glad to see that
0you are working hard to help your mother with preparation for the evening.
Vikram Mamma, what are we going to do in the evening?

Mrs.Verma When it begins to get dark, we will pray to the Goddess Lakshmi to bless our
household with prosperity during the coming year.

Vikram But Diwali is a festival connected with Lord Rama. Then why have you put these clay figures of shri Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi and all these offerings in the prayer-room?

Reena Diwali is also the day which is sacred to the Goddess Lakshmi. So we pray to her
as well on this day.

Vikram Didi, what are you doing at the door step?

Reena I am making a “rangoli”. Then I will hang a string of auspicious mango leaves at
the entrance.

Vikram Why do you do all this?

Reena To prepare a welcome for Goddess Lakshmi.

Mr.Verma He has gone to bring the deewas (mudlamps) which Mamma had left out on the
roof to dry.

Vikram After the puja in the evening, will we light the deewas and the candles?

Mr.Verma Yes, all of us will light the deewas and the candles and let off the crackers that we bought yesterday.

Vikram What fun! When will the evening come? Can’t I let off a few crackers just now?

Mrs.Verma Why not wait till the evening, Vikram ? You can have some of the barfi and
laddoos that I’ve made.

Ranjan (carrying a basketful of deewas). Here you are Mamma. Shall I arrange them on the doorway on the roof and along the balcony?

Mr.Verma We might as well do that now in the morning. But pour the oil into the deewas
only at about 5o’clock in the afternoon.

Reena I’ll make the cotton wicks for the deewas. How many shall I make

Ranjan Make about 200 wicks. We’ll put 200 deewas and we will decorate the the rest
of the house with candles. The oil for the deewas is very expensive, so we can’t
have too many of those.

Reena Deewas look prettier and last longer. But I guess it can’t be helped.

Vikram Our house will look so beautiful with so many lights glittering like a wedding.

Mr.Verma It won’t look like a house glittering with small blubs all decorated for a wedding.
The Diwali lights are soft and glimmering.

Ranjan I love Diwali. It is a happy day.

Ranjan It is also an occasion to meet all our relatives and friends.

Vikram When will all the people come?

Mrs.Verma People will drop in at all hours of the day and later in the evening.

Vikram Is that why you have prepared so many sweets?

Mrs.Verma Yes. And Vikram, be sure to greet everyone with “Diwali Mubarak”.


(B) VOCABULARY

Auspicious gambling
Twinkling din

Phrases

Loud bursts of crackers a festive occasion
Merry making ringing in the New Year

Meanings

Vanquish to defeat
Rescue to save
Effigies portrait or image
Prosperity plenty
Auspicious sign of good luck
Sparklers phuljhari, a kind of cracker
Wick a twisted bundle of fibre meant to maintain the flame of a lamp
Glimmer shine faintly and softly
Din a lot of noise


(C) Study the following responses:

1. What is the underlying significance of Diwali?
Response : Diwali is the culmination of the story of Rama’s struggle with story of Ravana for recovering sita. The victory of Rama signifies the triumph of good over evil. Rama and sita returned to their capital Ayodhya on this day.

2. Is Diwali devoted exclusively to joyous rejoicing because Rama returned to his capital along with sita after his panishment for fourteen years and after winning a war to recover sita?
Response : Diwali is also connected with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. It might be that the return of Lord Rama was supposed to usher in a return of peace and prosperity. Hence, the Goddess Lakshmi is also invoked.

(D) Give suitable responses:

1. Which are the major festivals celebrated in India?
Response : _______________________________________________________
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