With the advent of Rakshabandhan, my favourite part of the year has begun. There will be back to back festivals and I love this. The busy marketplace, different types of dresses, colourful items related to each festival, the delectable food items, and most importantly, happy faces in the market.

Little Miss’s school also celebrates the festivals where the children go to school in colourful dresses instead of school uniforms. There are art activities around with different festivals or important events, like Rakshabandhan, Janmashtami,  Independence Day, as themes and a cute photo session where kids pose with their art work. Of course, my Little Miss is still not very friendly when it comes to camera but she is adapting well.

It feels good to see these children enjoying the festivities at school. They make their art work with so much joy and in Little Miss’s case with reluctance and are happy to pose with them. Be it making Rakhis for Rakshabandhan, Indian Tricolour for Independence Day or painting maakhan ka ghada with cotton to show maakhan for Krishna Janmashtami,  everything looks perfect and heart warming.

Festivals are about more than rituals; they’re about belonging. When children with autism, Down syndrome, or physical disabilities are invited and supported in festive activities, they feel seen, valued, and loved. A child who is given a safe way to play with colors in Holi or who gets to light a diya with gentle assistance in Diwali feels a part of something larger than themselves. These moments foster confidence and joy that ripple far beyond the celebration.

Inclusivity doesn’t demand big sacrifices – it blossoms through small, thoughtful gestures:

• Offering quieter, eco-friendly crackers so children sensitive to sound can join in Diwali nights.
• Giving children soft clay lamps instead of fragile diyas so they can proudly place them around the house.
• Creating calm corners at gatherings where a child who feels overwhelmed can rest without being excluded.
• Involving peers in helping – teaching children to share sweets, guide each other in rituals, and celebrate differences.

These are small considerate acts that will mean world to others with special needs. This year, as lights shine, colors burst, and sweets are passed around, let us remember: the true spirit of any festival lies not in how much we decorate our homes, but in how widely we open our hearts. And when every child – regardless of ability – feels included, then the celebration is complete.