Lifestyles have become so fast paced that we sometimes do not know the people staying in the house right next to us. But when a festival approaches, it brings with it a large amount joy and feelings of togetherness. The ongoing tradition is that people exchange gifts and sweets with their neighbours. The bond that we share with our neighbours increases during the festive season. In a conversation with city based youngsters, we found out more the relationship they share with their neighbours.
Amit Giri
This youngster feels that his neighbours are like family to him. City-based student Sneha S Karanth says, “The tradition of exchanging sweets and other goodies has always been there in my family. Come Christmas, I eagerly wait for plum cakes and frosted sweets that we receive from the Christian families that stay in my locality. They have become a part of the family and I know that we can look to them for help when in need. We tend to celebrate with them and be a part of their celebrations. Especially during the festive season, there is so much love to give around.”
Society has evolved so much that the people are now celebrating all festivals like their own. City-based student Hima Ninan says, “Giving cakes and sweets has become sort of a ritual for me every Christmas season. Every year we go over and give neighbours sweets and other goodies. And it’s the same with them. Come Diwali or any other festival homemade sweets is something that I wait for. Like wise during Christmas, even though it is not a festival that they celebrate, they enjoy heading to our house when carol singing takes place and enjoy being a part of our celebration.”
Celebrating festivals has clearly become a universal trend. Fiby Mary Philit, a dentist in the city says, “I eagerly wait for any festive season – be it Christmas, Diwali or any other festival. For Christmas, cakes are a staple that our neighbours can’t wait to savour. I have become used to the culture that no matter what festival you celebrate, it’s considered to be everybody’s festival. We have get togethers, go for their onam sadhya and they come to my house for Christmas.”
This youngster feel that the bond that he shares with his friends and neighbour increases during the festive season. City based fitness professional Amit Giri says, “The tradition of heading over to our neighbours houses’ with sweets and vice versa has always been done and it’s something that we wait for. We end up celebrating the festival together even though we don’t celebrate it. I can’t wait to try plum cakes and some wine that I get from my neighbours.”
