28th October, 1943: Diwali Day

 Last night something strange had been in the air. Joe thought there might be a rising of the tribes against us - not seriously - but he too knew that something was happening. I think he realized it before I did - for he made remark early last night about it.

We played cards for a while, but the heat makes the game too heavy. I can remember when I could sit down and play for hours, but a short period was now too much.

We went out early this evening, partly because it was our usual custom, and partly because we wanted to find out if there had been anything in what we felt last night.

We made tour of these narrow back streets, and found a shop full of gifts and Christmas presents. We made a few enquiries about prices and decided that we would have to visit the shop. Back in the streets again, we noticed that fireworks were being let off everywhere and anywhere. People seemed to be all dressed up in new clothes, or in their best. There was a spirit of "good-will" and "hail fellow well met" everywhere. Sweets and sweetmeats were selling like hot cakes.

Many buildings were brilliantly lit up, and the dirty back streets showed another side of their character. Bands, and the little drums could be heard in many buildings. This rhythmic beat of tom-toms gripped me, and I felt as though I too, was going all native. I wanted to shout and sing and enjoy the feeling as the native Indians were doing. What was happening?

I made a few inquiries and learned that it was "Diwali Day" - a day of greetings and good cheers. It was Christmas - the Hindu Christmas. Little wonder so much good feeling was shown everywhere. It was the day when light and wisdom conquer over sin and wickedness. Gardens were packed with children, lorries, trams and buses were busy - everyone was having a good time, those indoors also had a good time judging by the music and beat of drums. The Hindu, I understand, are very fond of sweetmeats, and offer them to guests as one might offer fruit or nuts at Christmas. I was sorely tempted to buy some of this candy that they bought, but the cleanliness of the shops being very questionable.

We decided that the fairground would be the centre of attraction and set for it. As it had appeared last night, most of the people appeared to be "on the outside looking in". Some massive bearded men with beautiful and costly turbans mixed with the poorer classes, White, Anglo-Indians and Indians of all types and creeds - mostly Hindus judging by the fact it is a Hindu festival season - all mingled together.

We went into the fairgrounds to discover that most of the stalls were simply small shops, more like an exhibition.

There were two great wheels, a circus which had not started, a few dart stalls and some "Dodg'em" cars, but on the whole the place was very tame. Many Indian natives had their wives and daughters with them - and it was made very obvious to us that these women had to avoid being too near to us. This was really amusing, when we approached, the husband or father as the case might be changes over to our side so that he stood between us and the women, but I wish I knew why they go to this trouble, they certainly need not fear being kidnapped. It may be that we are tainted with something that they must avoid.

We left the fairground feeling rather disappointed and made our way home. We could not see the indoor festivities, but we did see some of their enjoyment.