What this day means to me: Diwali
We spoke to Yogesh Ravi from IDG, to find out what Diwali means to him and how he celebrates far away from his family and home.
鈥淔or me, Diwali has never been just a festival marked on the calendar. Growing up in Chennai, it meant waking up before sunrise, wearing new clothes, eating far too much food, meeting relatives, enjoying fireworks and, most importantly, having the whole family together. Even after moving away from India, those are the memories that come back to me every year when Diwali arrives.
The preparations would usually begin the day before. Our house would become busy with preparations for the following morning. Snacks would be made, everything needed for the pooja would be arranged and there was always a sense that something special was about to happen.
Diwali morning started early. One of the traditions I have followed since childhood is the oil bath before getting dressed in new clothes. It was always an exciting feeling to put on a new outfit and know that the celebrations were about to begin.
Then came what I would consider one of the most important parts of Diwali 鈥� breakfast! In my family, breakfast was never just one or two dishes. We would have around five different varieties, and everyone would sit together and enjoy them. By lunchtime, things became even more impressive. We would have a kind of six-course meal with the whole family and relatives. There was always plenty of food, plenty of conversation and, inevitably, someone encouraging you to eat just a little more.
And then there were the sweets and snacks. Murukku, mixture, adhirasam and mothichoor ladoo were among my favourites. There would always be enough to last for days, although somehow the best ones seemed to disappear remarkably quickly!
Fireworks were another big part of Diwali for me. I particularly enjoyed celebrating with my niece. Like many children, we were much more interested in which firework to light next than in thinking about anything else around us.
Although most of those memories are happy ones, one Diwali incident has stayed with me for a very different reason. While trying to light a firecracker, I somehow managed to set fire to my uncle's trousers! Thankfully, he was fine and nobody was hurt, but it became one of those family stories that gets remembered and retold. I suspect my uncle would probably prefer that memory to be forgotten, but unfortunately for him, it is now part of our Diwali history.
Diwali was also a time when relatives and neighbours would visit each other. People would exchange sweets, wish each other
a bright and joyful Diwali and spend time together. The house would be full of people, conversations, and laughter. Looking back, I think that togetherness was the real highlight of the festival.
Today, Diwali feels very different for me. Living in the UK means I no longer have that big family gathering around me. My celebrations are much quieter, sometimes I stay at home, and sometimes I meet friends to celebrate with them.
What I miss most is my family. I miss the noise of everyone getting ready, the huge meals, the relatives visiting, the smell of homemade snacks and simply having everyone together under the same roof. Those are the things that made Diwali special, rather than any single tradition.
Being away from Chennai has also made me appreciate those childhood traditions much more. When you are growing up, you sometimes take these things for granted because they happen every year. It is only when you are thousands of miles away that you realise how much those simple moments mean.
I may not celebrate Diwali in quite the same way anymore, but the memories haven't changed. For me, Diwali will always bring back the feeling of being at home in Chennai 鈥� surrounded by family, new clothes, endless food, sweets, fireworks and, of course, the occasional unfortunate incident involving my uncle's trousers! Wherever I am, that will always be my Diwali.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali!"