“Diwali celebrations are incomplete without colourful lanterns lighting up our homes. Every year, my family and I spend weeks making and decorating these lanterns, using intricate mirror work, colourful beads and traditional motifs. Each piece is put together by hand, and we pay attention to even the smallest details.

This craft has been part of our family for generations. We learnt it from our elders, watching them create these beautiful decorations. Today, we continue the same work together, spending hours bringing different colours and patterns onto each lantern.

Diwali is the most important time of the year for our family, as much of our annual income comes during this season. Growing older has brought its own challenges, but we still sit together and continue the work we have inherited. Seeing people appreciate our creations and take these lanterns home for their celebrations makes us happy.

As we celebrate Diwali, I hope people remember the traditions behind these decorations and the artisans who work throughout the year to keep them alive. Every handmade piece carries a story, and supporting such crafts is one way of ensuring that these traditions continue for generations to come.”