A Celebration of Kindness and Hope
By Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Chairman of the Randal Charitable Foundation
As homes come alive with twinkling Diya’s and vibrant rangolis, the Festival of Lights arrives once more, offering a much-needed message of kindness and hope.
Each year Diwali shines as a beacon, symbolising renewal and togetherness with the belief that, no matter how overwhelming life’s challenges may seem, they can be overcome with courage, faith and unity.
In a world where global and domestic struggles often seem to overshadow our everyday lives, the festival serves as a timely reminder that there is always a way forward. Just as every Diya lit on Diwali night dispels the surrounding darkness, each act of kindness and resilience helps us towards a brighter future.
My family have joined countless others in feeling sadness at the ever-apparent conflicts at home and abroad, and our hope is that the spirit of Diwali transcends borders and cultures – uniting a world that has at times seemed fractured.
It is a moment to celebrate not just our individual victories but the collective strength of humanity, and Diwali’s symbolic triumph of good over evil.
We have seen this first hand through the work of our family foundation – The Randal Charitable Foundation – which focuses on giving back, saving lives and improving life chances for over a million people. This fuels our passion for making a difference in the world we live in, as right now lives are being lost – lives which could be saved, often, by simple and readily available interventions.
Inspired by Diwali’s values of Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness), Shanti (peace), Prema (love) and Ahimsa (non-violence); our Foundation shares the ambition that light is waiting to be found, and there is always a new beginning just around the corner. And through our work we aim to give millions of people the opportunity to access basic healthcare, have the tools to work their way out of poverty and gain an education to secure sustainable livelihoods.
Diwali invites us to think beyond ourselves. It is a reminder that the true spirit of Diwali lies in the joy of giving and illuminating the lives of others. Whether through charity, compassion, or lending a hand to someone in need.
This year is about turning hope into action. As we clean our homes and adorn them with rangoli, the act of Seva and thinking about others will be central to many celebrations. Whether it is sharing a meal with someone in need, lending a listening ear, or offering a kind smile or word to a stranger – small acts of kindness can light up the world with hope.
And this is where hope and kindness come together, as both offer an opportunity for renewal, which is at the heart of the celebration of Diwali. It is an opportunity to leave behind the challenges of the past, to reflect, reset, and move forward with optimism.
In a world often over-shadowed by conflict and uncertainty, Diwali reminds us that there is always light waiting to be found, always a new beginning just around the corner. Let us make Diwali 2024 a turning point where we consciously choose to make kindness the centre of our lives, while celebrating the human spirit’s resilience and the power of hope – illuminating not only our homes but our hearts and the world around us.
