CoFfEE witH PUNithAN

Deepavali means "the array of lights." "Thamasomaa jyotirgamaya"(Lead me from darkness to light) is an Upanishadic prayer: This means that where there is darkness, light is needed.

Sorrow is one form of darkness. Peacelessness is another. Loss is another. Disappointment is one form of darkness. Misery is yet another. Lack of enthusiasm is another. All these are different forms of darkness. To get rid of the darkness of sorrow, you have to light the lamp of happiness. To dispel the darkness of disease, you have to install the light of health. To get over the darkness oflosses and failures, you have to usher in the light of prosperity.

Swami Vivekananda, the great Hindu savant, said that freedom is the first condition of life. And the light of Deepavali is also the light of freedom -- freedom from control, freedom from tyranny and freedom from all that artificially divides humanity.

We should not lead a life of selfishness. That is a wasteful life. It is only in community life, we can you reach out THE LIGHTS ABOVE. Give happiness and take happiness. Happiness is not a one-way traffic, it is a two-way process of give and take.

Lets forgets and forgives the wrongs done by others. Lets breath the air of freedom, festivity and friendliness everywhere.