Part 1. Vocabulary
|
commemorate(s) |
/kəˈmeməˌrāt/
v. - recall and
show respect for (someone or something): "a
wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the war dead" |
|
venerate(d) |
/ˈvenəˌrāt/
v. - regard with
great respect; revere: "Mother
Teresa is venerated as a saint" |
|
adopt(ed) |
/əˈdäpt/ v. - choose to
take up, follow, or use: "This
approach has been adopted by many big banks" |
|
throng(ing) |
/THrôNG/ v. - to be or go
somewhere in very large numbers: “Shoppers
were thronging the streets” |
|
fatality (ies) |
/fāˈtalədē/ n. - an
occurrence of death by accident, in war, or from disease: "Shooting
was heard and there were fatalities" |
Part 2.
Comprehension Questions
What is Diwali?
Who celebrates Diwali?
What does Deepavali commemorate?
Who do Jainism followers commemorate? Why?
What day is observed by the Buddhist? Why?
Why are the crowds thronging the markets and fairs in
cities?
Part 3.
Article Reading
Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is the biggest
festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists around the world.
Also known as Deepavali, the festival’s date changes every
year and commemorates different things depending on local tradition and
culture.
Hindus celebrate the triumph of good over evil – of light
over darkness – to mark the return of Ram, the lord of virtue, to his kingdom
after 14 years of exile.-
Followers of Jainism commemorate Mahavira, a venerated
ascetic who fundamentally reformed the faith, reaching a state of nirvana after
his death.
Sikhs use Diwali to mark the anniversary of the release from the prison of Guru Hargobind in 1619.
For Buddhists, this day represents the time Emperor Ashoka
gave up everything and adopted a path of peace after going through
bloodshed and death. The day is observed as Ashok Vijayadashami.
For many in India, it also marks the end of the harvest
season.-
Houses are cleaned, decorated with colorful “rangoli”
artworks – patterns created on the floor using colored rice or powder – and
earthen lamps, candles, and electric lights put outside.
On the day of Diwali, people wear new clothes, visit friends
and family, and exchange sweets and gifts. In the evening, a special “puja”
(prayer) is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi who is said to bring luck and
prosperity.
As the coronavirus situation eases in India with the lowest
daily cases reported since February, the festival this year is back in full
swing with large crowds thronging markets and fairs in cities across the
vast nation of 1.3 billion people.
On Tuesday, India reported 10,423 new COVID-19 cases. While
the virus is still claiming more than 200 lives daily, the figure is down
sharply from nearly 4,000 daily fatalities in April and May.
The country last month reached a landmark of administering a
billion vaccine doses.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2021/11/2/india-photos-diwali-hindu-festival-covid