Priya Litt 
Special to the Lake Report 

It was an honour for me to attend as a special guest speaker and presenter to teach NOTL's Sparks, the youngest members of the Girl Guides of Canada, all about Diwali!

Most popularly known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is widely celebrated by many Indians around the globe, especially in India. 

Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. This festival is usually on the darkest night of the month, yet with all the candles and diyas it becomes the brightest night!

We can also learn from this and make the choice to brighten up our lives like Diwali, reminding ourselves and others to light up each and every heart with love and compassion. 

The Sparks decorated diyas made from clay, adorned them with beautiful gems and lit them up with tea lights. Diyas are oil lamps that are traditionally lit up by using a cotton wick dipped in ghee or vegetable oils. 

With crayons, they coloured and decorated beautiful rangoli designs, an art form of beautiful patterns. Rangoli means “rows of colour.” To create rangoli we traditionally use coloured rice, dry coloured flour, coloured sand or flower petals to make designs at the entrance of our homes. It welcomes happiness and is thought to bring good luck. 

Special helper Achal Litt came dressed in traditional Indian attire and gave out treat bags to each Spark. Diwali is all about giving, sharing, caring and spreading love and kindness all around.

The Sparks and the Guides were all fascinated and enjoyed learning about this wonderful cultural festival. With glow stick necklaces and bracelets along with the brightly lit diyas, the night ended in the brightest way possible as the Sparks bedazzled the night with sparklers.

Let’s all remind ourselves and those around us to spread love, light and happiness. Happy Diwali!