GUDI... THE FLAG OF VICTORY AND NEWNESS









The idea of a new year is not new to us. There are so many of them… The Christians, Hindus, Parsis, Buddhists, Jains, Jews, Muslims… all have their own new years. Again, among the Hindus too, there are different new years… Like today is Gudi Padwa. It is the new year of Maharashtrians. There is Yugadi for Kannadigas. And so there are for people from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Punjab… and for people from every other state… their own.

This Post is about the essence of the idea called a new year… and not about who celebrates it… when, where and how.

No matter who we are, we all need to end the old to pave way for the new. Our old ways of going about our lives, our relationships, our pursuits of success and wealth, our expectations from others or our grievances about them… the way we look at our own selves and the way we look at others… our fears and anxieties, our despairs and hopes, our envy and rejoicing… Yes, all of these need to shed their oldness. The newness alone holds the promise, of peace and prosperity.

So, today, around me, here in Maharashtra, when my fellowmen celebrate their new year called ‘Gudi Padwa’, I am left fascinated.

‘Gudi’ symbolizes Brahma’s flag. ‘Padwa’ symbolizes the first day of the Lunar month.  And, this flag is hoisted just outside the houses… Just outside the doors of our souls… to mark the victory of good over evil… with the hope that evil will stay out of our homes… and, it will bring in peace and prosperity…

Now, just think about this very thought… How noble it is! How honest!

So, today, no matter who we are – Maharashtrians or non-Maharashrtians, Hindus or non-Hindus, believers or non-believers… yes, whoever we are, let’s believe in the essence of thought, the idea, called a ‘New Year’.

Newness has nothing to do with any religion…




The flag of victory over evil is badly needed 

to be hoisted outside the doors of our souls…
 

The evil has to die… It should stay out…



Our doors should be open only for goodness, peace and prosperity.

May the newness, like the bight colors of ‘Gudi’, adorn our souls…

An amazing Gudi Padwa to all of you.



GERALD D’CUNHA 

Pics.: Sanchita Choudhury

Comments

Usha Suvarna said…
Happy Gudi Padva sir. Usha
April 11, 2013 at 12:30 PM
Anonymous said…
Loved the post as always. Keep writing Gerry.
Lalit
April 11, 2013 at 12:31 PM
Nitesh P said…
Wishing goodness to all. Nitesh
April 11, 2013 at 2:05 PM
Anonymous said…
i buzz went through ua post day wer amazin!! hope to see em further!!!
jitesh punjabi!!
April 11, 2013 at 5:10 PM
Anonymous said…
i juzz went through ua post dey wer amazin!! hope to c em further!!!
jitesh punjabi!!
April 11, 2013 at 5:11 PM
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