AGARTALA, Nov 11 (TIWN): Border Security Force (BSF), stationed along the India-Bangladesh border at Akhaura check post distributed sweets among Bangladeshi border guards as a goodwill gesture to mark the occasion of Diwali on Wednesday.

Diwali is the occasion to keep away hatred and spread love among the people.  To mark the celebration, every spot is illuminated with sparkling diyas which bring the supernatural brightness and joy with the hope of finding light in darkness, and spreading love amidst hatred. Some people use decorated light candles, some decorated diya or clay lamps, and other decorative lights and put them in their windows for the festival. Traditionally people use 'earthen lamps' with cotton wicks and oil to light up the dark night.

However, BSF on Wednesday exchanged sweets and fruits with the officials of Eastern Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) and shook hands with each other to mark the celebration of the diwali festival.

BSF officials gave sweet boxes to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) official while greeting them on the occasion of Diwali, which is celebrated nationwide on Wednesday.

It’s the grand occasion of Diwali; so we are exchanging sweets. We exchange sweets at various levels like – BOP (border out post), commandant and sector levels, said BSF offcial.

"The BSF officials said that we have good cooperation with BGB and we jointly conduct operations from time to time so that we can maintain peace on both sides of the border. This (exchange of sweets) also brings both the forces closer.

The exchange of sweets between India and Bangladesh along the border is a traditional practice aimed at improving bilateral relations.

BSF and BGB exchange sweets and greetings during various festivals like Diwali, Eid, Holi, Independence Day and Republic Day.

The Aukhaura check post was illuminated bright lights to grace the occasion of the grand celebrations of Diwali.

Diwali is a festival of lights symbolizing the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness and is one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika, according to the Hindu calendar. This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile.

However, in the Bengali dominated area the festival is celebrated with the worship of goddess Kali.

The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.