Diwali, the festival of lights, is the largest celebration in India. This five-day festival marks the homecoming of Lord Rama with Sita and Laxmana after a 14-year exile. The people of Ayodhya lit diyas, or oil lamps, to welcome King Rama after defeating Ravana.

Diwali is an occasion of joy, prosperity and togetherness for Indians around the world. Commemorating the victory of good over evil, it’s also an opportunity for people to move on, let go of past grudges and make merry.

The sound of crackers, the shimmer of diyas, homes filled with laughter and the cool breeze of the upcoming rainy season are all signs of Diwali. It’s a time for people to decorate their homes with colourful, fresh flowers and to bake delicious treats. The smell of homemade snacks like murukku, seedai, adhirasam, gooey barfis, anarsa, karanjis, cholafali, ukarai and peppery mathris often fill the air in many homes. Each state of India has its own way of making Diwali flavorful.

The five days of Diwali are as follows:

Day 1: Dhanteras — Day of fortune
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi — Day of knowledge
Day 3: Diwali — Day of light
Day 4: Annakut — New Year
Day 5: Bhai Dhuj — Day of love between siblings

Diwali Lessons

The first lesson Diwali teaches us is to remove the darkness and ignorance within yourself — and embrace illumination and emerging trends. It also reinforces the importance to being positive and making space for order, novelty and freshness.

The real meaning of Diwali is to remove the inner darkness from our soul. Sharing sweets creates a lot of joy, as does sharing knowledge with colleagues. You get a sense of satisfaction when you’re part of someone’s success story.

Finally, it’s about the triumph of good over evil. Diwali stresses the importance of patience and reminds us all that negative things eventually come to an end.

Genesys India and Diwali

Diwali is celebrated in a full force at Genesys India. Each year, employees dress up in traditional attire, enjoy a sumptuous feast served on banana leaves, and play fun games and activities. Employees not only receive sweets and gifts; they also get a sense of belonging within Genesys.

It’s been a unique year and has forced many of us to adapt to changes. In 2020, the Genesys India team is celebrating Diwali as “DEI-wali” to showcase the importance of our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This year, we wish all employees and their families good health and prosperity.

May your life be lit with happiness, joy and peace. Happy Diwali!