About Indian
Darbar Gifts Diwali Gifts
To UK |
- South Asian community in Britain is close to 1.8 million with
a disposable income of over 5 billion pounds. That makes it not
only the largest minority group in the UK - but also the wealthiest
and fast becoming the most influential.
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- There are 8,500 Indian restaurants in the UK, 15% of the country's
total dining-out establishments.
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- UK: members of the Asian community own or run a significant
number of the borough's 8,800 companies .
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- British High Commissioner in India Michael Arthur said 14,000
Indian students landed in the UK each year to study and will rise
to about 25,000 .
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The South Asian communities in the UK who have silently but successfully
crossed many road-blocks that stood in their path. There are thousands
of others, also who have been successful. Considering more and
more immigrants from India to UK www.indiandarbargifts.com thought
of offering services for these NRI’s aswell as their families,
friends and relatives in India to send Diwali Gifts to
UK. |
| Indians in the UK
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The Indian emigrant community in the United Kingdom is now in its
third generation. As an immigrant group, people of Indian origin
have been remarkably successful. |
| British NRIs
are NRIs living in the UK. |
Stereotypes
about Indians have now moved from their being bus-conductors, waiters,
and small shopkeepers to their being doctors, lawyers, accountants
and successful businesspeople. Increasingly, the second and third
generation of Indians has started inter-marrying with the rest of
the population, to the point where this has in itself become a stereotype. |
In
a few local areas, ethnic tension has resulted in ill-feeling and
racist violence against immigrants, and groups such as the British
National Party exploited this. However, in general, racism towards
people of Indian origin has greatly reduced from the early days
of mass immigration after Partition and the expulsion of the Ugandan
Indians. |
Indian
culture has been constantly referenced within wider British culture,
at first as an "exotic" influence in films like My Beautiful
Laundrette, but now increasingly as a familiar feature in films
like Bend It Like Beckham. Indian food is now regarded as part of
the British cuisine. |
According
to the April 2001 UK National Census, 4.37% of the population of
England and Wales identified themselves as "Asian" or
"Asian British", and 0.36% as "Mixed: White and Asian",
making a total of 4.73% of the population, or 2.46 million people,
identifying themselves as of "Asian" descent. (Note: in
the UK context, "Asian" means Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi). |
According
to India's 2001 census, the country's population exceeded the 1
billion persons milestone, and there are approximately 11 million
Indians living, working, and studying elsewhere around the world.
NRIs have become a serious market for the IT industry, particularly
in the U.K., where approximately 3 percent of the population is
Indian/Pakistani, and in the U.S., where 1.7 million out of 281.5
million people are Indian. The rupee is now augmented quite handsomely
by the dollar-and-pound, much beneficial to the delight of IT industry,
hence taking all the above into consideration we www.indiandarbargifts.com
have offered a service to NRI’s to send Diwali Gifts
To UK. |
NRI's
ability to exist in two worlds: one allowing space and upward mobility,
the other offering traditions and history. |
Very
often, there is a "dress code" for the female characters
to help the viewer understand her measure of purity or wickedness:
the more traditionally-dressed, the more Indian the woman. Unsurprisingly,
this does not seem to carry over to the men's characters. |
When
Indians achieve success and wealth, have large homes, and own their
companies. The NRI equivalent is held up to a double standard and
considered materialistic. |
| Italy is an unlikely origin for an NRI. |
The
NRI’s in London simmers with a patriotic zeal and an all-consuming
homesickness manifested in the meticulous maintenance of Indian
customs and rituals while they separates themself from their surroundings.
Their need for India is so overwhelming that they relies on the
false protection of mocking people and places outside of their own
family and home. |
Even
those who move across country miss their families and familiar surroundings;
one always retains a credible amount of home-turf loyalty; and if
one's heritage is lost, the person is rendered as no more than a
racial statistic.
"Those living in India are surrounded by our culture every
minute, even if they don't realize it. |
www.indiandarbargifts.com
is family with, friends with, acquainted with, and works for NRIs
with an amazing variety of personalities, attitudes, hopes, dreams,
goals, livelihoods, needs, wants, and beliefs, and offers service
to NRI’s in UK to send Diwali gifts to India
and anywere in the worlds aswell as it offers a service to the Indian
families of NRI’s in UK or anywere in the world to
send Diwali Gifts to UK. |
| Diwali or Deepaawali means an Array of Lamps
i.e .Rows of diyas (Deep = Lamp, Vali =Array) |
Of
all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most
glamorous and important. Enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every
religion, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of
joy and festivity. |
As
a family festival, it is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, on the
13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October /
November). |
It
is a festival of lights symbolizing the victory of righteousness
and the lifting of spiritual darkness. It celebrates the victory
of good over evil - and the glory of light. This festival commemorates
Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year
exile. |
Homes
are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands
of lamps lit to create a world of fantasy. |
Diwali
is a time for fun and revelry. Diwali is also a time for pooja and
tradition. |
Deepavali
is the Hindu "Festival of Lights". The festival symbolizes
the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration
and hope for mankind. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly
traditional diyas (as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with
the festival in some regions of the country. |
| A typical household celebrates Diwali with fireworks. |
Deepavali
is celebrated for five consecutive days in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja.
It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular
and eagerly awaited festivals of India. Hindus, Jains and Sikh alike
regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen
family and social relationships. For Jains it is one of the most
important festivals, and beginning of the Jain year. It is also
a significant festival for the Sikh faith.
The date of Diwali is based on the Hindu calendar, which has solar
sideral years and lunar months. Although the festival is worshipped
on exactly the same set of days across India, it falls in different
months depending on the version of the Hindu calendar being used
in the given region. |
The
Amanta ("ending on the no-moon") version of the Hindu
Calendar has been adopted as the Indian national calendar. According
to this calendar, which is prevalent in southern India and Maharashtra,
deepavali falls in the middle of the month of Ashwayuja. According
to the Purnimanta ("ending on the full-moon") version
prevalent in northern India, the 5-day celebration is spread over
the last three days of the month of Ashwayuja and the first two
days of the new month of Kartika. According to this calendar, the
festival of Deepavali marks the new year's day of this calendar
and is therefore an especially significant festival. |
In
the Gregorian calendar, it falls generally in the months of October
or November. In 2005, the new moon day which is the third and most
important day of the festival fell on November 1. In 2006, it will
be celebrated on October 21 (Saturday). |
| Significance in Hinduism. |
The
festival marks the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word
Deepavali means array of lights that stands for victory of brightness
over darkness. As the knowledge of Sanskrit diminished, the name
was popularly modified to Diwali, especially in northern India. |
On
the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes, share sweets and light
firecrackers. The North Indian business community usually starts
their financial new year on Diwali and new account books are opened
on this day. |
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As per sacred texts, according to Skandha
Purana, the goddess Shakthi observed 21 days of austerity starting
from ashtami of shukla paksha (waxing period of moon) to get
half part of the body of Lord Shiva. This vrata is known as
kedhara vrata. Deepavali is the completion day of this austerity.
This is the day Lord Shiva accepted Shakti into the left half
of the form and appeared as Ardhanarishvara. The ardent devotees
observe this 21 days vrata by making a kalasha with 21 threads
on it and 21 types of offerings for 21 days. The final day is
celebrated as kedhara gauri vrata.
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Diwali also celebrates the return of the
Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana
to Ayodhya from a war in which he killed the demon king Ravana.
It is believed that the people lit oil lamps along the way to
light their path in the darkness. In North India, the festival
is held on the final day of the Vikram calendar. The following
day marks the beginning of the North Indian new year, and is
called Annakut.
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It commemorates the killing of Narakasura
the son of Goddess earth, an evil demon who created havoc, by
Lord Krishna’s wife Sathyabhama. This happend in the Dwapara
Yuga during this time of Lord Krishna's avatar. In another version,
the demon was killed by Lord Krishna himself. In South India,
Diwali does not coincide with the beginning of a new year as
South Indians follow a different calendar, the Shalivahana calendar.
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| The Five days of Diwali |
Diwali is celebrated over five
days in most of North India. All the days except Diwali are named
using the designation in the Indian calendar. A lunar half-month
is 15 days. Diwali as a new-moon day, marks the last day of a 15-day
period. |
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Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means
"wealth" and Trayodashi means "13th day".
Thus, as the name implies, this day falls on the 13th day of
the first half of the lunar month. It is an auspicious day for
shopping.
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Naraka Chaturdasi: Narak means of a new era
of Light and Knowledge. Chaturdasi implies fourteenth day.
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Diwali: the actual day of Diwali, is celebrated
on the third day of the festival, when the moon completely wanes
and total darkness sets in the night sky.
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Varsha-pratipada or Padwa: Beginning of the
New Year (Kartikadi Vikram). Pratipada means the first.
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Bhayiduj (also Bhayyaduj, Bhaubeej or Bhayitika)
-- on this day, brothers and sisters meet to express their love
and affection for each other.
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| The celebrations vary in different regions: |
- In Southern India, naraka chaturdashi is the main day, with
firecrackers at dawn.
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- The main festival is on Amavasya evening with Lakshmi Puja which
is followed by lighting of oil lamps around the house.
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| Melas |
To
add to the festival of Diwali, fairs called Melas are held throughout
India. Melas are to be found in many towns and villages. A mela
generally becomes a market day in the countryside when farmers buy
and sell products. Girls and women dress attractively during the
festival. They wear colourful clothing, new jewelry and their hands
are decorated with henna designs. |
There
are plenty of activities that take place at a mela. These activities
include performances from jugglers, acrobats, snake charmers and
fortune tellers. Food stalls are set up, selling sweet and spicy
foods. A variety of rides are present during the fair, which include
Ferris wheels and rides on animals such as elephants and camels.
Another attraction are the puppet shows that are shown throughout
the day. |
| Diwali in Sikhism |
Sikhs
also celebrate Diwali to commemorate the laying of the foundation
stone for the Golden Temple in 1577. It is also known as Bandi Chhorh
Divas. The Mughal emperor Jahangir arrested the Sikh Guru Hargobind
and imprisoned him in Gwalior. Later Jahangir relented and released
the Guru. The Guru asked that 52 rulers imprisoned with him should
also be released. To the joy of the Sikhs the Guru returned to Amritsar
on Diwali and it prompted the followers to celebrate the day with
joy and happiness. |
On
Diwali the Sikhs illuminate their Gurdwaras and homesare with Deewé
(earthen oil lamps) or candles. Early in the morning, Sikh pilgrims
take a dip in the sacred tank while reciting Japji Sahib, and then
pray at the Golden Temple. Circumambulation of the tank is done. |
| Diwali in Jainism |
Lord
Mahavira, the last of the Jain Thirthankaras, attained
Nirvana on this day at Pavapuri. According to Jain tradition the
chief disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhar Gautam Swami also attained
complete knowledge on this very day, thus making Diwali a really
special occasion for the Jains to celebrate. |
Diwali
is first mentioned in Jain books as the date of the nirvana of Lord
Mahavira. The oldest use of the word "Diwali/Dipavali"
occurs in Harivamsha-Purana written by Acharya Jinasena, composed
in Shaka Samvat 705. The sample of text containing the word Diwali
is below: |
The
way Jains celebrate Diwali is different in many respects. There
is a note of asceticism in whatever the Jains do, and the celebration
of Diwali is not an exception. The Jains celebrate Diwali during
the month of Kartik for three days. During this period, among the
Shvetambaras, devoted Jains observe fasting and chant the Uttaradhyayan
Sutra, which contain the final pravachans of Lord Mahavira, and
meditate upon him. |
Vira Nirvana Samvat:
The Jain year starts with Pratipada following Diwali. Vira Nirvana
Samvat 2532 starts with Diwali. The Jain businessmen traditionally
started their accounting year from Diwali. |
| Diwali in other parts of the world |
Diwali
is celebrated in various parts of the world, in countries such as
Britain, The Netherlands, Suriname, Canada, Guyana, Mauritius, Fiji,
Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka,
South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, United Arab Emirates,
Australia, much of Africa, and the United States. With more and
more Indians now migrating to various parts of the world, the number
of countries where Diwali is celebrated has been gradually increasing
and this inspired www.indiandarbargifts.com to service these NRI’s
and send Diwali Gifts to UK the concept thru. which the Indian families,
friends and relatives of the NRI’s in UK can send Diwali Gifts
to UK. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian
expatriates, in others it has become part of the general local culture.
In most of these countries Diwali is celebrated on the same lines
as described in this article with some minor variations. Some important
variations are worth mentioning. |
In
Malaysia, Diwali is known as "Hari Deepavali," and is
celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu solar calendar.
It is a federal public holiday. In many respects it resembles the
traditions followed in the Indian subcontinent. |
In
Nepal, Diwali is known as Tihar and celebrated during the October/November
period. Here, though the festival is celebrated for five days, the
traditions vary from those followed in India. On the first day,
cows are given offerings, in appreciation of the food they have
given and agricultural work they have performed.. On the second
day, dogs and all living animals are revered and offered special
food. On the third day, celebrations follow the same pattern as
in India, with lights and lamps and much social activity. On the
fourth day Yama, the Lord of Death, is worshipped and appeased.
On the fifth and final day, brothers and sisters meet and exchange
pleasantries. |
Diwali
is celebrated in the Caribbean Islands as well. Especially in Trinidad
and Tobago, Diwali is marked as a special occasion and celebrated
with much fanfare. It is observed as a national holiday in this
part of the world and some Ministers of the Government also take
part in the celebrations publicly. |
| Economics of Diwali |
Diwali
is an annual stimulus for the Indian economy. Indians purchase gold,
gifts, decorations, crackers and household appliances
during this festival. Companies offer huge discounts during the
Diwali season to attract customers which helps the economy and also
helps the poor. It also helps the community in hunger since this
festival shares it food. It also brings tourists to the country. |
Gift
giving is a universal custom, but in today's harried world many
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to UK and anywere in the world. |
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