Onam…saying about it sensationally I got no words. Onam is not just a celebration it’s a sensation, a feeling, a thrill and a joy in the blood of every Keralite. Well as we are away from our homes in Kerala the thrill factor might be high to a an extend for us expats.
Even though we are away from our homes we Keralites could never miss the Onam celebrations. Though the space here in Kuwait is limited we still celebrate our harvest festival in its full pomp. In the morning itself we go in front of TV to see how Kerala is celebrating her Onam. We remember the story of Mahabali and Vamanan passed on by our parents and grandparents. For the little kids after the Christmas father and the Easter bunny it’s Mahabali that comes to visit us.
We all know that Onam is a harvest festival. When we think of harvest what comes to our mind? It’s the abundant food grains. But sadly even in Onam some people don’t get access to food due to their poverty.
So in this Onam let’s decide something new my friends. You see Mahabali was a generous man. When I read this word ‘generous’ something came like a spark to my mind. So for those of us who eat Sadya’s in Onam…Do you complete the full sadya or throw it? I know maybe 50% of us throw it without completing the full meal. This is when we must remember our generous king Mahabali’s generosity. So are we generous enough? It’s because I see lots of people throwing their meals away. Remember we are throwing the food of some other person who is deprived of food. If we can we could give a little bit of our sadya to a person who didn’t have it. My friends you see there are lots people like that living in labour camps. Or if we can’t do that we could at least take only what we can eat. You see even if we are saving one bit of rice you can be relieved that you are not throwing that one bit of rice which was destined for someone who is deprived of it.
Let king Mahabali’s generosity spread everywhere. When we are generous we not only be happy but we will also get the true satisfaction and happiness of Onam.
Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous Onam.