Click to play videoNew Delhi: There are no celebrations this festive season in gali (bylane) number 42 of Delhi's Gaffar market that suffered maximum devastation during the September 13 serial blasts. Families of the area lost as many as 10 people on that fateful day.
But people of the area are clinging to their faith, despite their horrific losses.
Out of the 10 people who lost their lives that fateful day 9 belonged to the Gujarati community that has lived in the area for several decades.
"Saari zindagi kharab ho gayi, jaise hum bhi koi laash hain. Tyohar kya, maatam ho gaya hai, (Our life is ruined, we too have lost our lives along with our lost ones. We will be mourning this festive season)," said a victim's relative, Basanti Devi.
It's been almost two months since the blasts struck the lane, but the memory of the screams from across the street has still not died. Most families lost breadwinners and many children were orphaned.
Mere daddy ki maut ho gayi, bhai ki maut ho gayi, koi Diwali nahi mana raha hai, (My daddy died, I lost my brother too and no one will celebrate Diwali here)," said a victim's son, Shyam.
What has also died is the innocent excitement over the loud burst of firecrackers and explosions of light.
Bacche khud dare hain, koi bacha bahar khada nahi hota aur patakon se darte hain, (Children are scared af ter that fateful incident, none of the children atnd outside and are afraid of firecrackers)," said a resident of the bylane.
The narrow, dingy lane is also home to a community of handloom wholesalers. Who say that in all their years of business have never seen such dark times.
"Aath-Dus saal se market chala rahein hai, lekin aisi mandi kabhi nahi dekhi, (We've been a part of this market for the last eight-10 years, but never have we seen it so subdued)," said a handloom wholesaler, Tilak Barolia.
"Rent dena bhi mushkil ho gaya hai, Diwali kharab ho gayi hai, (It's very difficult to give rent also now, this Diwali is ruined)," said another handloom wholesaler, Hemraj Bhai Gujarati.
As darkness sets in, the rest of the market lights up to welcome the Diwali shoppers, but bylane number 42 wears the look of the bereaved.
"Baki galiyon mein mela laga hai, par hamari gali mein maatam hai.
Bache harkat kar hi nahi rahe hain, koi chota sa pataka jalata hai to doosra ghabrata hai, (Other lanes look like carnival grounds, but our lane is in mourning. Children aren't celebrating or lighting crackers. If someone lights a small cracker then others are scared with the sound)," said a reseident of the lane Ghulam Hasan.
"Hum sabne milkar sajawat avoid kiya hai, (We together have avoided decorating the lane thsi year)," added Barolia.
Lane number 42 is now just an empty street crowded with memories, where shopkeepers wait for customers and families for some solace.
"Pichli Diwali dono bache the. Kapde pahan kar sab chidiyaghar dekne gaye the lekin iss saal kya karein, kuch bhi nahi hai, (Last Diwali both our children were there, We all went to the zoo. But this year there is no reason to celebrate)," said a victim's relative, Kamlesh.
From one Diwali to the other, everything has changed. The only hope for the future say the residents of lane number 42 is their faith.
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