As we approach Diwali - or Deepavali - the biggest festival on the Hindu religious calendar, a unifying article by Dennis Pather is worth reading at https://bit.ly/3nm0TBV

Dennis talks about how Diwali is rich in tradition and wise in its spiritual and philosophical teachings, but how every year sees battle lines drawn between neighbours.

As the fireworks erupt, tolerance and social cohesion fly out of the window.

On the one side are those for whom Diwali is a day when they shut their doors and windows, tranquillise their pets and set out hoses and buckets to put out fires in their thatch roofs.

Dennis says on the other side are those who flout municipal regulations and their neighbours concerns by lighting noisy, illegal firecrackers - and beyond the times stipulated in our by-laws. Of course they include non Hindus who love the fireworks spectacle and noise and even possibly the strife it elicits.

And on both sides are people who ramp up the aggression with ill advised social media shouting or setting off even louder bangs.

The article explains that Diwali is much more than the lighting of fireworks. Steeped in spirituality, going back over 4 000 years, it celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

So this is a humble call to all of us in Buccleuch, on both sides of the fence.

Please, step back from the battle lines. Let's all be mindful of our neighbours' beliefs, hopes and fears in a spirit of light and conciliation.

Let's make Diwali in Buccleuch a joyous, blessed celebration, that respects our diverse community and keeps our homes and pets safe.

You can read the full article at https://bit.ly/3nm0TBV