Diwali in Manipur: No more a festival of light but of gambling and dicing
Th Romesh, Senior Reporter HY News
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Diwali in Manipur: No more a festival of light but of gambling and dicing
Imphal, 24th November 2021: As we drove around the city only a few houses and lanes were seen setting alight for the festival of light this year. But one can see crowds of people camping everywhere to play dice and gambling game.
In Hindu Mythology, Diwali is to commemorate the return of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after slaying the Demon king Ravana. It symbolizes joy, brightness, happiness, the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil. It seems as if the beautiful theme of Diwali is no more valued, neither does anyone bothers why the festival is celebrated all over India. But everyone, from small boys and girls to men and women, can be seen playing dice and other forms of gambling at every nook and corner of the state.
The gambling begins a week or two before the festival. And people, especially the young ones from 19 to 25 years and above go in search to gamble, with many losing thousands and lakhs of rupees.
Speaking to the media, one Thoudam Borsana of Wanggoi said, “I have not celebrated Diwali for last five years and I lit lamps only in Emoinu Eratpa, another popular festival of the Manipuris. According to the gentleman, everyone is free to practice, preach and propagate any religion of their preference. But being born a Manipuri, one is to serve his/her state and promote our culture, tradition, and other systems to other parts of the world. He also opined that many children would take part in gambling and spoil themselves in the name of celebrating Diwali. So, he always confines his daughters, nephews, nieces, and other relatives at home only.
But on the other side, an old man called Kesho Leimapokpam of the same village narrated how joyfully they used to celebrate Diwali with true spirit in the olden days. “There is no problem in celebrating Diwali even though we are Manipuris or some other religious groups other than the Hindus. People share sweets and other tokens of love with one another at this festival. Besides, their parents were Hindus and I have faith in Hinduism,” the man expressed.
However, the ground reality is most people are intended towards playing dice and indulging in gambling. They have more interest in bursting firecrackers than attending Puja associated with the festival. Thus, Diwali once celebrated with much fanfare is limited to a few hundred families in Manipur.
Another declining factor might be the movement of Sanamahi Revivalism and the subsequent adoption of Sanamahi by numerous Manipuris. The celebration of Diwali loses its vigor and brightness here in Manipur. Perhaps, a commendation for instigating the revivalist instinct to a larger population or the substandard trend enhancing the visibility of the gambling tradition took over its charms in Manipur.
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