Diwali in USA schools - how to counter this propaganda

Today I happened to hear the Diwali video in morning meeting. I have few suggestions if I can make here.

 

1. Diwali has many versions in India.

    The video claims one version of the story and did portray Ravana as Evil/Daemon. But many people in India/Sri Lanka/Malaysia/Bali think otherwise.

 

https://www.thestatesman.com/india/8-places-in-india-where-ravana-will-not-be-set-on-fire-1502698429.html

 

https://www.scoopwhoop.com/a-demon-for-us-but-a-hero-for-sri-lankans-ravana/

 

2. The story is claimed as real and not a fiction. But There are many areas of the story which are not justifying science (as building army with monkeys, Ganesha with elephant face). 

 

3. Other versions of the story.

 

https://www.ibtimes.co.in/dussehra-2015-unknown-stories-that-make-ravana-hero-ramayana-651448

 

Since there are multiple versions/perspectives on this and also this story of Diwali is not inline with science, I thought to bring this to you.

 

I would suggest to show / refer to a more commonly used festival like "Harvest Festival" which is very common and non-religious, non-fictional and scientifically justifying festival. It is celebrated under various names in different parts of India (Pongal, Lohri, Bihu etc)

Harvest Festival is like celebrating harvest and observe Thanks Giving Day for Farmers and Friends.

 

More details:

https://youtu.be/ffY_BjvVe9M