Celebrating Diwali in England Is Scaring the Cats
Read Time:3 Minute, 17 Second
It is, as I write, Diwali. I have neither any idea nor interest in what precisely Diwali is. I am aware it is an Indian celebration partaken of by Hindu’s and Sikh’s mainly, but apart from that I have no clue nor desire any clue. It is a celebration for India that is specifically Indian. (I think I’d better point out to the dim amongst you that I am referring to the sub-continent of India rather than to the native American Indians by the way).
Given that Diwali is Indian and specific to the people of that far off land I sit here wondering why my cats are currently cowering under the sofa as they are understandably under the impression that nuclear war has broken out – assuming my cats can grasp the concept of such – and my home is being invaded by ridiculously loud BANGS and SHRIEKS and WHISTLES.
I am by geographical fact in England. I am not by geographical fact in Bombay – or Mumbai as it is now apparently called.
If I was in New Delhi or pretty much anywhere in India then I would probably be outside enjoying the spectacle of extraordinarily loud fire works going off but I am not. I am in England.
That’s the problem with our politicians inflicting this multi-cultural mess on us. We now have to put up with alien cultures and celebrations interfering and invading ‘our space’ and our lives and, frankly, it really really pisses me off.
I have no issue at all with foreign cultures within British borders per se. My issue is when said foreign cultures intrude on me. They can intrude all they like if I set up home in Karachi (that’s in India too if you had any doubts) but not when I am in my country and my home town and in England.
You want to live in Britain then? Fine. You have your own culture do you? Fine. Live here and keep your culture to yourselves. I don’t want to rejoice in multi-culturalism and ludicrously loud fireworks that frighten my cats when it’s Diwali. I want you to have a quiet, discreet family gathering or something like that with nice food and lots of chit chat about the good old days in Mumbai so IT DOESN’T INVADE MY SPACE.
That’s the point really. Well, it is to me anyway. It IS MY space. I am living here in my own country. I expect fire works on November 5th to commemorate Guy Fawkes failing to blow up the Houses of Parliament. I expect the odd fire work on New Years Eve and even, occasionally, on someone’s birthday if they must. That’s British and it’s OUR culture which, as we are in Britain is surely fair enough?
All of those are British celebrations and, therefore, not part of an invasive alien culture.
We get the same on bloody Ramadan or Ramadamadingdong or what ever it’s called. That’s a mainly Muslim thing I think. Off they go again. BANG! WHOOOSH! KABOOM!!! Bloody fireworks. It isn’t Islamabad you know, it’s sodding Hayes Town in flaming England!
“It’s just an age thing’ says my daughter.
No it’s bloody not! It’s a pissed off Englishman who wants HIS country to be HIS country again and not a replica of downtown frigging New Delhi!
Is it too much to ask? Is it???
Yes. Apparently.
BANG!!!!!! WHOOOOSH!!!! CRACK!!!!! FIZZZZZZ!!!!!
– mutter mumble grumble sodding place need to move can’t stay here any more bloody diwali anyone would think bloody terrorists are attacking noisy bastards bloody immigrants mutter mumble grumble –
“Yes dear, of course I’m all right. Muttering? Me? Of course not! Yes dear I’m coming to bed now”
OH! Yes! And whilst I’m on the subject of alien celebrations invading my space America you can take back that sodding Halloween bollocks as well!
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0
Um – Karachi is in Pakistan, just to set things straight. But seriously, what would all y’all eat over there without Curry? Here, where the cookin’ is Suthin and it’s all fried, we could use some ethnic food, but the locals think Velveeta on Wonder bread is as spicy as they want to risk. Of course there’s Mexican, but as the man said they’re all diseased rapists and it’s dangerous. You might hear someone say something in Spanish and there goes your synapses.
I don’t like noise either but choosing between fireworks and the Hatfields down the block having target practice, I’ll take Diwali, thanks.
I’m with Jess. Diwali is a beautiful event and I look forward to it every year. As to our dogs and cats being frightened of the fireworks they are more frightened on July 4th. They’re louder and longer.
Diwali is a festival of lights at certain times during the year, like after harvest when things start going dark so the lights come in and color up the place. I’m learning about my own Indian(dot not feather) culture myself and yesterday we attended a few Diwali things with friends. Got to sport one of my very colorful saris and free food, what is not to like 🙂
Indian culture is dynamic Jess. Love it, and the food. Namaste.
I love Indian food and there’s a lot to be had up here in Ohio.
Well Norman complain if you will but I’m an old man who remembers when Guy Fawkes was celebrated loudly in the British provinces and I’m certain the occupants shared your sentiments about the Indian celebration. You remember India don’t you? It was once part of the British Empire and I doubt they had a choice about the noisy fireworks every year for every occasion.