Ulta Pulta
Diwali in Kiwiland
Jaspal Bhatti

THIS Diwali, I was in Auckland, New Zealand. I was highly impressed to see fireworks and crackers all across the town. "These Kiwis show quite an enthusiasm for Diwali," I remarked to my host Dr Harinder Malhotra, a former professor from PGI, now permanently settled in Auckland. I was about to compliment a gora and gori for the fireworks on Diwali when Harinder pulled me back, "They are celebrating Guy Fawkes Day. Diwali just happened to fall on the same date."

I replied, "Guy Fawkes must have been very fond of crackers and Diwali." Said Harinder, "Not exactly Diwali, but he did get hold of 36 barrels of gun powder to blow both the Houses of Parliament and kill the King after the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603. Fawkes and all other conspirators were caught and Guy Fawkes was executed. The event is commemorated with burning the effigies of Guy Fawkes and lighting up fireworks."

Driving around the city we reached an area called Papatoetoe. The intensity of the fireworks increased suddenly. I said, "Seems like in this area, people are really angry about Guy Fawkes’ conspiracy." But Harinder said, "This is an area, where Punjabis are celebrating Diwali with zeal. There are five gurdawaras in this area only and each is trying to outdo the other."





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