This Diwali ✨ - Away from family
It's Diwali, and I'm sitting alone in my office in Bangalore. The sound of fireworks outside makes me feel both happy and sad. Happy because it reminds me of home, but sad because I'm not there. It's been two long years since I've visited my village near Bhopal.
As I work, my mind wanders to our last Diwali celebration at home. I can almost see the whole village gathered in the center, laughing and talking. We'd set up a big white sheet as a screen and watched a movie together. Then, we'd light diyas and burst crackers. The joy on everyone's faces, the smell of sweets in the air - it was magical. Here in Bangalore, the celebrations are bigger and fancier, but they don't have the warmth of my village.
Growing up wasn't easy for us. After my father passed away when I was young, money was always tight. But somehow, during festivals, none of that mattered. We'd all come together and share what little we had. Now, as I look at my computer screen, I wonder what I'm missing back home. Is mom making her special laddoos? Are my younger siblings running around with sparklers?
But then I smile, thinking about the smartphone I bought for mom last month. It cost ₹15,000 - a big amount for us, but worth every rupee. Mom was so excited when she got it. At first, she was afraid to touch it, worried she might break it. But now, she's become quite the pro! She calls me every day, her voice full of pride as she tells me about the new thing she's learned.
"Beta, I sent you a good morning message with flowers!" she'll say, or "I saw the photo you posted of your office. It looks so big!" Her excitement over these small things fills my heart with joy. It's like a piece of home reaches me through that phone every day.
Thinking about mom makes me miss her even more. I miss the smell of her freshly made rotis, the way she'd fuss over me to eat more, her gentle scolding when I'd stay up too late. But I know why I'm here, working on a festival night. PS: My mom sent me this photo
Talking product sense with Ridhi
9 min AI interview5 questions
Bhai-Behen : Family preference is first. Take a vacation. No one rewards loyalty. I don't know why you didn't go for Diwali. Avoid staying alone in the shitty office. Family always comes first. I know staying far from family is difficult and expensive. Still go home.
This, manager was not approving wfh I said fuck it and just went home
I spent 2 diwalis outside India and away from home for the first time since college.
That's when I came to conclusion that all the money is worthless if I don't celebrate festivals with my family.
Travelling and adventure etc chonchle are bullshit in front of a small festival with your family.
Aisa attitude hona chahiye. Paisa Paisa karke life cannot be sacrificed. Money is not everything I have realized after a layoff.
Till date I have never cared for work during family/festival weeks. Work hard and Play hard. Don't compromise on anything , you only live once. I bet if you ask your mom she would trade having you home for a few days, for the mobile in a heartbeat. Indian families/communities are gold , anamoly in a world full of individuality , cherish it while you still can.
As a wise person said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”.
It sounds to me like this is a new thing for you, not being home for Diwali, but experiences like these help you cherish the times when it does work out.
Wish you a blessed Diwali ✨ light a diya in memory!
Even I couldn't visit home this Diwali! Feel sad but that's life
Eat good food and happy diwali
More strength to you and others staying away from their home for work. I decided not to leave my city and home because I prefer peace over some extra money.
I spent one Diwali away from home during my early Bangalore Job days, Trust me it’s not worth anything. Please spend Diwali at your home with your loved ones
I am also away from home in a new city, I don't even have friends so I would have visited them.I just look outside to kids being happy and celebrating diwali and think how I used to be like them in my childhood days being crazy about winter and diwali.
I call my mom daily just to hear her voice and console myself that this hard time will be over in some days. I will be heading home straight after my work settles a bit, and buy my mum gifts that I couldn't give her because I am not there.
Feeling sad for you