“Deepavali is my favourite festival of the year. More so because we could prepare these clay diyas and send them to the market as part of the festive season.

I usually help my father and mother in making the clay pots during my free time after school, and that’s how I started to learn the art of making diyas.

I am studying in class 8 right now so I only help my parents during the holidays. I aspire to study well and become an engineer one day. However, I also would like to continue our family’s tradition of pottery in the future in a small way. My brother, who’s right now in class 12 is also willing to continue our family tradition after his education.

Today, we celebrate the festival by doing Lakshmi puja. My ammumma prepares traditional Pindi vantalu for all of us. I eat them all but, Gulab jamun is my all-time favourite.

In the evening, we light diyas, oil lamps and burn a few crackers which are the main customs at this festival.

I just pray to God that this Diwali could bring positivity and hope to the people and help everyone to combat the crisis sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic.”