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Virtue is harmony -Pythagoras
Spreading religious harmony!
Dear children,
 Deepavali festival was celebrated by Hindus last Tuesday. Some of
your Hindu friends also might have celebrated it .Do you know the
significance of this festival? It is called the Festival of Lights and
marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the lunar
calendar.
Deepavali celebrates the victory of Goodness over Evil and Light over
Darkness.
Have you visited your Hindu friends on Deepavali Day? Hindus
celebrate this festival with great devotion. Houses are being decorated
ahead of the festival. New clothes are worn on this special day to mark
a new beginning. Hindu gods and goddesses are venerated. People exchange
gifts and light fire crackers.
Just like Sinhala and Hindu New Year Deepavali also marks a new
beginning.
Religious observances are held in Hindu temples. Just as any other
religious festival Deepavali celebrations too provide an opportunity for
greater understanding and harmony among communities. All of us live in a
multi - ethnic and multi -religious society. Hence we should be aware of
the significant events of other religions and communities and respect
them as it helps inter religious bonds grow stronger.
Bye for now,
Sunny Stories:
The Piggy Bank
Two weeks ago when Anushi and Sandun sat on one of the topmost
branches of the mango tree watching the cars whizzing past them on the
road below, Anushi said, “My mother asked me to invite you to our house
on the 13th.”
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Saving
money for next year’s Deepavali celebrations |
“What on earth for?” asked Sandun. “Is it your birthday?”
“No, silly,” said Anushi. “Don't you know the 13th is Deepavali?”
“Oh, is it?” said Sandun. “I am sorry I did not know about it.”
“We celebrate Deepavali every year by wearing new dresses, making
sweets, taking part in religious ceremonies and lighting rows of clay
lamps. My parents also invite a few friends for lunch on the day of
Deepavali. This year you and your parents too are invited because you
are our new neighbours.”
“Tell me more about Deepavali”
“The name Deepavali or Divali means rows of lighted lamps,” said
Anushi. “My Grandma says the festival lasts for five days. The first
day, Dhan teras, is used to shop and prepare for the celebration. The
second day, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the beginning of the lighting of
the lamps, as well as the setting off of fire crackers to celebrate the
defeat of demons. The third day is Diwali itself, the center of the
celebration. The fourth day, Annakut, is marked by feasts and Bhayiduj,
the last day, is reserved for brothers and sisters to strengthen their
bonds with each other.”
Sandun thought for a while. “Sounds like fun,” he said.
“Not really,” said Anushi. “I feel sad when I think of all those
children who live in the small huts near the railway track close to the
station. I wish I had lots and lots of money to make Deepavali a happy
day for them too.”
“We could buy them new clothes,” suggested Sandun.
“If we had enough money...I have only three hundred rupees with me,”
explained Anushi.
“I don't even have that much,” said Sandun. “It was only yesterday
that I bought a pair of batteries for my toy train with all the pocket
money I had saved.” That weekend Sandun kept thinking about the poor
children who would not be having new clothes or nice food for Deepavali.
He decided he would save money from now on so that next year things
would be different.
When he met Anushi again, Sandun told her about his plans for next
year's Deepavali celebrations. “Let us save as much as we can so that we
can buy clothes and food for the poor children next year when it is time
to celebrate Deepavali again,” he explained as they sat on the topmost
branch of the mango tree.
“That is a great idea,” said Anushi. “Give me a minute. I have just
the thing we need for our new plan.”
She jumped down from the mango tree and ran home. A few minutes later
she climbed the mango tree carrying a piggy bank in one hand.
“My Grandma gave this to me for my birthday,” said Anushi. “Let us
put all the money we save into this so that next year we will be able to
make those poor children happy on the day of Deepavali.”
Sandun took a crumpled ten rupee note from his pocket and put it into
the piggy bank. “Let us begin today. I was thinking of buying a lollipop
with this money. But now I feel making someone happy is better than
enjoying a lollipop all by myself.”
“Where shall we keep our piggy bank?” wondered Anushi.
Just then Mr. Squirrel ran up and down the trunk of the mango tree
chattering non-stop.
“Look,” exclaimed Anushi. Mr.Squirrel is trying to show us that den
in the middle of the trunk. He wants us to hide the piggy bank there.”
“What a good idea.” smiled Sandun. “I am sure our piggy bank will be
safe there, especially with Mr.Squirrel keeping an eye on it.”
“Trrring. Trring” said Mr. Squirrel. He was always ready to support a
good deed.
 Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan
Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan. It became the capital city
in the 1960s, during president Ayub Khan’s time. It is one of the most
beautiful Capitals in South Asia. It is also a well planned city.
Earlier the capital of Pakistan was Karachi.
One of the most beautiful mosques in the world is located in
Islamabad. It is the Faisal Mosque. Islamabad has a lot of mountains and
hills. Daman-e-Koh is a viewing point and hill top in the North of
Islamabad and located in the middle of the Margalla Hills.
At the top of the mountain there are many restaurants, paragliding
and hang gliding. Rock climbing and also bird watching facilities are
there. Blue area is the main business district in Islamabad. There are
many shops, restaurants and companies there.
Rawal Lake is one of the other interesting places in Islamabad. It
has got an attractive scenic beauty and also a park for entertainment.
Islamabad has many hotels like Serena Hotel Marriot. It is famous for
its greenery and cleanliness. We were almost in Islamabad for three and
half years from 2009 to 2012. I would like to visit Islamabad again.
Rivindu Bandara
Class 6B
Wycherley International School
Colombo 7
[email protected]
Ever First pre-school kids enjoying Children’s Day
Here the children of the Ever First pre-school, Puttalam established
by the Islamic Forward Movement of Puttalam, enjoying with the prizes
which they have got at the International Children’s Day with their head
teacher.
Cinderella
Cinderella (1950) will be screened on November 17 at 3.30pm at the
American Centre, No 44, Galle Road, Colombo 3. (Running Time: 74
minutes) When Cinderella’s cruel stepmother prevents her from attending
the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus
and Jaq, and from her Fairy Godmother. Please contact the American
Centre at [email protected] or at (011) 2498100 with any inquiries.
Annual educational trip of Kansip preschool
 Here students of Kansip preschool, Nilpanagoda, Minuwangoda visiting
the Negombo police station on their annual educational trip with their
teachers. Picture by Ivon Nissanka, Divulapitiya Group Correspondent
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