Pictured above: Vijay Dhandapani with his wife, Aruna, and son, Kapilan, celebrating Deepavali.

On Nov. 12, many people across the globe – especially from the Indian community – will immerse themselves in the vibrant celebrations of Deepavali or Diwali, otherwise known as the Festival of Lights. To commemorate this occasion, our colleagues Vijay Dhandapani and Nisha Verma reflect on what Diwali means to them, the cultural significance behind Diwali and how they do what matters during this special time.

“A beacon for clarity and purpose”

The Festival of Lights is more than just a visual treat; it signifies clarity and enlightenment. For many of us, light represents new beginnings and clarity. In our everyday lives, loss or lack of clarity and certainty can lead to stress, anxiety or depression. Diwali emphasizes the dispelling of our inner darkness (or turmoil), symbolizing the human journey towards clarity.

There was a time in Indian culture when each day marked a unique festival – totalling 365 in a year! The underlying philosophy was to treat life itself as a grand celebration. Although modern life has reduced these festivals, the essence remains. Today's hectic schedules might allow for only eight or 10 significant festivals annually, and the spirit of Diwali reminds us of the importance of clarity, light and the continuous celebration that life should be. In essence, Diwali isn't just a day of lights; it's a beacon for clarity and purpose in our lives.

 —Vijay Dhandapani, Group Manager, Enterprise Technology Architect

“Diwali is a beautiful celebration”

 This year, Diwali falls on Nov. 12 and it will be a special one for me as my parents will be with me in Singapore. Diwali is a very important festival for all Indians – and it’s very special to me as it comes around my birthday, and from my childhood days, this has always been my favorite time of the year with lots of celebrations and festivity. Diwali is a celebration of good over evil, where we welcome all good things into lives and pray to the goddess of wealth and health! Diwali gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. 

For us, Diwali is a beautiful celebration where we meet our family and friends over parties and lots of eating for sure. On the day of Diwali, we decorate the house with lamps, wear beautiful Indian ethnic wear, have a prayer in the evening, exchange gifts and sweets with families, have a big family dinner and end the day with fireworks. For me personally, this is also the time for me to show my gratitude, thank my near and dear ones and the universe for all the good things in my life! So, in a nutshell: For an Indian, this is a festival that is a combination of Christmas and Thanksgiving all in one!