|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How green is my Diwali Three things mark the modern-day celebrations of Deepawali — food, lights and sound. Sweets are an integral part of the festival. So are diyas or the twinkling earthen lamps and candles which are lit up in most homes. And then there are the ubiquitous fire crackers, ear-shattering bombs, smoke-belching rockets and sulphur-spewing sparklers. With fireworks getting with extra exploding capacities each year that challenge the sound barrier, there has been a simultaneous campaign to shun these noisy crackers and make Deepawali eco-friendly, thus saving people and places from an environmental nightmare. The media is replete with reports that crackers contain a lethal cocktail of copper, potassium nitrate, carbon, lead, cadmium, zinc and sulphur which emit noxious gases like carbon dioxide, lead, zinc, sulphur dioxide and many more when these are lit up causing immense air pollution and exposing humans to an array of health-related complications. Harmful fireworks This, perhaps, explains why there is a serious campaign to discard the powerful crackers that emit thick smoke and switch to the more eco-friendly sparklers that do not damage the atmosphere and are easy on the ears and lungs. In fact, studies have shown that many powerful crackers can cause the following health problems especially among elderly and children: Ear damage: High-decibel explosives can cause harm. Breathlessness & asthma:
Toxic fumes emanating from crackers are dangerous for asthmatic patients. Stress & blood pressure:
Sudden explosions are stressful for both humans and animals. Itching & allergies:
Compounds in the fireworks may cause skin damage. Vision impairment:
Smoke, chemicals in the air and careless handling of crackers may harm eyes. For some years there has been such an alarm at the rising noise pollution that the Supreme Court has had to intervene to set a deadline of 10 p.m. for bursting of noisy fireworks and it has also limited the noise level of no more than 125 decibels. The order of the apex court has brought down the incidence of explosions dramatically. Interestingly, the first to come forward to celebrate an environment-friendly Deepawali have been children, who are saying no to noisy crackers. An increasing number of educated urban people are now preferring to celebrate the festival the way it was supposed to be celebrated in olden times. For one, a number of people are saying no to electric lights and prefer to illuminate their homes with earthen lamps. This is environmentally friendly and also saves electricity. Collective celebrations Many socially conscious people, aware of the noise and pollution problems, prefer to celebrate fireworks collectively and for a short period of time thus saving unnecessary stress to the neighbourhood. Moreover, the crackers they buy are of low intensity and do not produce too much noise or noxious fumes but just dazzle with lights. Responding to the growing demand, a number of manufacturers have begun making eco-friendly crackers that produce light in multi-hues but are low in sulphur content and do not produce ear-damaging noise and cause smoke pollution. Many of them are also bio-degradable. An increasing number of manufacturers claim these are made by adults and not by children—-a long-standing issue against some fire-cracker factories which employ children for the hazardous task. Whether it is child labour issues, loud explosions or chemical-laden smoke, the fact is that these explosives are against the spirit of the festival which is meant to be celebrated with joy. Deepawali marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. So the festivities should also be in keeping with the spirit of the occasion. Let there be celebrations but not at the cost of others. So go ahead and have a happy and pollution-free
Deepawali. Do not spend the entire evening bursting crackers. Limit it to half an hour or so. This way you will not just have your thrills but also save your environment from excessive pollution. Have a community
Diwali. Ask your neighbours to limit buying polluting fireworks. In the evening pool in your firecrackers and burst them collectively for a limited period. Go back to your roots and light up earthen diyas dipped in oil. Avoid artificial lights for illumination. Rows of diyas not just look stunning but are soothing to the eyes as well. If you decorate your entrance with a
rangoli, then do it the eco-friendly way. Shun use of artificial colours. Instead use natural hues derived from haldi and
kumkum. Shun use of non-organic material to decorate your home. Use flowers instead. They not just look fresh and colourful but would spread fresh fragrance in your entire home. Be less consumptive this
Diwali. Buy only what you need to celebrate the festival of lights. Avoid buying things which are not biodegradable like plastic which hurts the ecosystem. Once you are done with firecrackers and festivities
clean up the mess. In fact make this a community activity involving people of all ages for a
pollution-free environment.
|
|
|
|
All that glitters is gold The word Diwali is a loose derivation of the Sanskrit word Deepawali — ‘deepa’ meaning light and ‘awali’ meaning a row. In other words, a row of lights. Indeed, illumination forms the festival’s main attraction. Every home is lit with the orange glow of twinkling diyas and candles to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Diwali is not just one day of celebrations. It is celebrated over several days and each of these days has a distinctive significance and a ceremony. One of the most important festivals — apart from Diwali — falls on the 13th day of the month of Ashwin and is called Dhanteras, or the festival of wealth. Dhanteras marks the first day of Diwali celebrations and signifies money (dhan) and teras or the 13th day of the month on which wealth is worshipped in the form of metals. On this day, it is considered auspicious to buy gold or silver articles, or at least some new utensils. Precious metals in the form of gold or silver coins or jewellery or utensils are considered a sign of good luck. Boom in gold sales With such a scenario as the backdrop, it is no surprise that gold registers a boom in sales during Dhanteras. Gold coins of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, as also gold ornaments of all shapes and sizes, gold bars and even bullion clock record sales due to two basic reasons. One, it is auspicious to buy gold or any other metal on Dhanteras and secondly since most Indians consider gold a safe investment, they dip into their savings to create family assets. Evidence of the buying spree can be had from the fact that the sale of gold and jewellery grew by an astounding 20 to 25 per cent during Dhanteras and Diwali in 2011 proving that the escalating rates were not going to deter people who made a beeline to buy the precious metal. The same can be expected in 2012 and that, despite the fact at around ~31,000 per ounce of 24-carat gold, the rates are almost 20 per cent higher than those prevailing in 2011. Anticipating the big gold rush, jewellery shops put on a new sparkle and get ready much before the event with their special offerings. Leading branded jewellery retailers like Tanishq, Gitanjli, Gili, D’Dmas, Mont Blanc and others bring out exclusive collections and also launch special schemes related to the auspicious Dhanteras. While Mont Blanc is offering a special range of Diwali gifting options from jewellery to accessories, Gitanjali Jewels is offering its customers up to ~201 off on every gram of gold jewellery. Tanishq is giving a flat 20 per cent off on making charges of select 22-carat gold jewellery. But with prices being a non-issue, this year too, there seems to be no dearth of buyers for gold and gold jewellery. As in 2011, this year, too, retailers expect the sales to spike by around 20 to 25 per cent. Many people go in for gold coins and bars offered by public and private sector banks. These are considered more economical as, unlike jewellery these do not incorporate steep making charges. And since these are bought from reputed banks, these are considered safe as far as gold purity is concerned. Gold ETFs & MFs In a new trend, apart from physical gold, there are people who buy other forms of the yellow metal like exchange-traded funds (ETFs), gold mutual funds (MFs) or E-gold by National Spot Exchange. Many leading jewellery houses have launched Gold Saving Schemes which have become very popular. In whichever form they buy, Dhanteras is the time to purchase gold or any other metal as it is considered not just auspicious but an addition to the family fortunes. With the uncertainties of the stock market and the looming sceptre of price rise, gold is being increasingly seen as one of the safest precious metals to bet one’s money upon. And what better day to buy it than Dhanteras?
P.P. Jewellers has unveiled the 'Dancing Peacock' collection that is crafted with gold, white gold, exquisite diamonds, gemstones, colourful stones. There are some that also have polki and meenakari work in them. The collection also has peacock brooches in white gold and diamonds Price: Starts from
Rs 73,500
TANISHQ'S FESTIVE GOLD COLLECTION Ahead of the auspicious occasions of Dhanteras and Diwali, Tanishq, has made available a range of gold jewellery. Starting from a weight of two grams, the Festive Gold Collection has plenty on offer. You can choose from an assortment of rings, earrings, pendants, bangles and much more. Price:
Rs 29,000 onwards P.C. JEWELLERS’ HALLMARKED JEWELLERY Delhi-based P.C. Jewellers has a lot on offer this Dhanteras and Diwali. The company has 30 showrooms in India and is expanding rapidly with more than 50 showrooms to be opened in the next two years. There is a big variety of hallmarked gold and diamond jewellery this festive season. Price: Upon
request
Tribhovandas Bhimji Zhaveri is synonymous with exquisite jewellery in India. It is known for its maang-tikkas, cummerbunds, ponchas, haath-phools, as well as earrings, bracelets, bangles and neckwear. During the festive season, a visit to one of its stores is a treat. Price: Upon request
Nakashatra which means constellation of stars in Sanskrit gives its finely crafted pendants, nose rings, bangles, rings and earrings the classic qualities of beauty, radiance and immortality. It has created a niche for itself as a brand that provides a great choice every festive season.
GODDESS LAXMI BANGLE FROM VBJ The Chennai-based VB Jewellers’ gold collection comprises necklaces, pendants and accessories. The collection draws inspiration from tradition as well as modern influences. The highlight is the Goddess Lakshmi bangles with gold balls adorning the piece and giving it an elegant sheen. Price:
Rs 1,59,100
Bluestone.com, the online jewellery store, presents its festive Ganesha-inspired collection. It comprises Ganesha pendants set in gold and studded with diamonds and rubies. Though the collection was launched on Ganesh Chaturthi, it is as relevant on Dhanteras and Diwali as well. Price: Range starts from
Rs 5,076
MYRA GANESH-LAXMI GOLD COIN Brighten up your lives with the blessings of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi with a gold coin. This coin available at www.jewelscart.com symbolises wisdom and wealth. Created by Myra it weighs eight grams and is made in pure 24-karat gold which has been gemologically tested.
MIRARI'S COLLECTION Mirari, a high-profile recent entrant into the field of fashion jewellery, is a blend of classic and contemporary designs. The delicately crafted jewels combine style with the natural glitter of gold. And this festive season it has a lot on offer. Price: Upon request
GODDESS LAKSHMI GOLD PENDANT A popular purchase during Dhanteras is the gold and silver Lakshmi coins and pendants which are considered very auspicious. Jewellery website www.caratlane.com has launched pendants of Goddess Lakshmi for the season in a wide range of variety in 22 and 24 carats. Price:
Rs 3,129 onwards
Over the years, Mehrasons Jewellers have built a reputation for itself for variety and quality. The jewellery ranges from gold and diamonds to Kundan, Victorian and platinum pieces. It is also known for its lose stones, strings and gold and silver coins during Dhanteras and Diwali. Price: Necklace set range from
Rs 41,557
A joint venture between Gitanjali Gems and the Dubai based Damas Group, D'Damas has a presence in over 159 Indian cities and towns. Its festive collection is overwhelming. The wide variety offers plenty of choices and items like the gold and diamond men's ring stand out. Price: Men's ring
Rs 1.3 lakh
To make Dhanteras and Diwali shopping a memorable experience, Gili Jewels is giving away the best offers to make this festive season’s celebrations all the more grander and lavish. On offer are a range of diamond and gold jewellery pieces with a standout collection of rings.
RIVAAZ GOLD PENDANT Rivaaz 18-carat gold pendant with cubic zirconia combines both the affordability and the quality assurance. The festive range features an enormous choice of delicate, light-weight designs in elegant finish, with a high wearable quotient as they are traditional yet chic and modern. Price:
Rs 10,800
AMRAPALI'S TOUCH OF GLAMOUR Luxury jewellery brand Amrapali’s Diwali collections are infused in ethnicity yet retain an air of modernity. The company has not just designed jewellery for leading film names like Kareena Kapoor, Kajol, Vidya Balan, Asin and Madhuri but also Hollywood divas like Gwyneth Paltow, Salma Hayek, Paris Hilton, Beyonce and more. Price: Upon request
|
|
|
|
GOLD IS GOLD BY ANY OTHER NAME
Though traditionally the physical purchase of gold has been considered the most auspicious way to celebrate Dhanteras, traditions are changing with the changing economic scenario. There are a number of new gold-related investment instruments in the market that are as lucrative as the yellow metal. Here’s looking at some of the best ones: Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are instruments of investment which you can accumulate over a period of time and then convert them into real gold once you have the units in sufficient numbers. The advantages are many. You can invest in the ETFs gradually till you have built a good corpus. The advantage is that profit earned from selling ETFs after a year is taken as long term capital gain and attract a lower tax slab. Gold Mutual Funds are funds that invest in companies in the business of gold. These could be mining, processing, fabricating, distributing or in any other manner dealing in gold. These mutual funds appreciate with the rising value of gold. The biggest advantage is that these funds can be bought or sold at any given time and there is no limit on the amount of funds you can buy. All you need is a demat account. E-gold is an imaginative scheme set up by the National Spot Exchange of India. Here you don’t need to have a big fortune to invest. You can do so in the smallest denominations of even one gram and multiples thereof. This gold is held in the electronic format in a demat account. It can be bought or sold at one’s convenience and in as much, or as little, quantity. One does not need a bank locker to store this gold. Gold Saving Schemes is a good option for those finding it difficult to muster up big sums of money to buy jewellery. Leading jewellery retailers have launched Gold Saving Schemes in which you can start a monthly systematic investment plans. Suppose you invest
Rs 5,000 a month for 11 months, the company will put in the last installment. Thus, the
Rs 55,000 invested by you in 11 months becomes Rs 60,000 with which you can buy jewellery of your choice.
|
|
|
|
Five sleepless nights of Diwali
If Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali and signifies money, the second day is known as Kali Chaudas 14th day (Chouda or 14 in Hindi) of the month dedicated to Goddess Kali. On this day, Kali is commemorated for her feat of killing the demon Raktavija who symbolised darkness. Diwali falls on the third day. This is the day to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu and also the deity of wealth, happiness and beauty. The fourth day is called Bestu Varsh or the New Year of the Hindu calendar. Traditionally people would get up early, dress in their best clothes and seek God’s blessings for a happy and a prosperous year ahead. Many Hindus believe that those who are happy on the first day will remain happy throughout the year. The fifth day is known as Bhai Duuj also called Tikka in North India. This day is special for all brothers and sisters. The sister cooks special meal for her brother who vows to protect her for life and gives gifts as a token of his love.
|
|
|
|
Bling it on
While going on a vacation have you ever tried to take in the scenic beauty on a video recorder in a moving car? If yes, you may have noticed that the results are shaky and disjointed. Now you can shoot to your heart’s content with the Roadtrip Video Recorder. A powerful suction cup mounts this video camera to a window or windscreen of the car and records colour video of the horizon or roadside views. The LCD viewfinder rotates 270º, enabling you to monitor what's being recorded or view stored video. It can also capture still photographs making it a two-in-one wonder camera. Price: $130 (Rs 7,150)
A paper bag is…well…just a paper bag that you get your shopping goods in. Right? No wrong. If that paper bag comes with a Jil Sander label, you better not stuff your office lunch in and worse crumple and throw it away after lunch. Though the Jil Sander fashion line is known for its unfussy designs, this Vasari Brown Paper Bag puts a ridiculous price on minimalism. But with clients like Nicole Kidman, Ashley Olsen, Ellen DeGeneres, Winona Ryder, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kanye West the German designer can sell paper at the price of gold! Price: $290 per paper bag
(Rs 15,950)
|
|
It’s a festival of all festivals. An event we wait for the entire year and celebrate with pomp and pageant. It marks the victory of light over darkness, a triumph of good over evil and it ushers in goodwill and bonhomie. Deepawali or Diwali is all this and much more. 
Go for crackers that sparkle when lit but are low on smoke and noise. These are abundantly available in the market and are far more fun than the heart-pounding bombs and missiles.
Colourful, vibrant and enticing, the entire India prepares yet again for Diwali. Apart from being the time of celebrations, it is one of the prettiest and brightest of all Indian fiestas. A time to rejoice and celebrate, it signifies the freedom of the human spirit from darkness and oppression. The festival of lights, which leads us into truth and light, is ironically celebrated on Amavasya — the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Aasho) that falls between October and November every year. 
P P JEWELLERS' DANCING PEACOCK COLLECTION 
TRIBHOVANDAS BHIMJI ZHAVERI DESIGNS
NAKASHATRA CLASSIC COLLECTION
Price: Nose rings
Rs 8,300 onwards
GANESHA COLLECTION BY BLUESTONE
Price: Around
Rs 29,000
MEHRASONS WIDE VARIETY
D'DAMAS FESTIVE OFFERINGS
GILI FESTIVE SEASON COLLECTION
Price: Gili ring
Rs 47,625
LOOK MA, NO HANDS!
PAPER BAG AT THE PRICE OF GOLD