Grand Parent Interview Report 2

Interviewer: Deetya

Vibgyor High School

Mrs. Sulochana is 69-year-old woman living in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She is a homemaker. She has seen
and celebrated various festivals throughout her life. She believes they are important in preserving
culture and bringing everyone together. They create a fun and loving environment needed to keep the
integrity of our society.

A few festivals are Makar Sankranti, Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, etc. She loves them
because they are a rich representation of culture, religion and devotion. They give us hope in bad times.

Her favourite festivals are Dussehra and Diwali. Dussehra holds a special place in her heart as it
commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana i.e., the victory of good over evil.
It represents the killing of all evils. It is also the tenth and last day of ‘Navratri’, festival of fasting. She
has witnessed many ‘Ramleelas’ -the dramatization of the story of lord Rama- every year. She makes
‘Puranpolis’, a sweet-dish and the whole family eats ‘pan’, a beetle leaf sweet mouth-freshener to
cherish this auspicious day.

Diwali is another big festival celebrated in India. It marks the coming of Lord Rama to his hometown,

Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. She has seen houses and public buildings lit up with ‘Diya’s’ or earthen
lamps and lights to welcome him home. As she walked through the streets, she sees kids bursting
firecrackers and sees fireworks lighting up the night sky. ‘Rangolis’ -coloured powder designs on floor-
can be seen on every doorstep and in many public places. Houses are adorned with marigold flowers.
The goddess Laxmi is worshipped to invite prosperity and fulfillment in the household. Sweets are
exchanged between friends like ‘Gajar ka Halwa’, ‘Gulab Jamun’, etc.

She is eagerly waiting for another festival to come which shall light the house with fun and frolic.