In 2020, a lot of celebrations have been different due to global pandemic. This includes Diwali – the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs all over the world. However, Forest Interactive made sure that talents still get to enjoy Diwali, no matter where they are around the world, despite the circumstances.
Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit “Deepavali”, meaning “row (avali) of lights (dipa).” It is a day that marks the symbolic victory of “good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.”
During Diwali, those celebrating put on their finest traditional clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas and rangoli, perform worship ceremonies of the goddess of prosperity and wealth Lakshmi, take part in family feasts, and light sparklers and fireworks.
A Global Diwali Party for Everyone
Photo by Forest Interactive Cambodia
Photo by Forest Interactive Pakistan
Photo by Forest Interactive Taiwan
Photos by Forest Interactive (HQ)
As food is an important part of Diwali, we wanted all our talents to enjoy Indian cuisines for Diwali no matter where they were. We weren’t able to feast together as a family this time around, but we came up with an initiative that can bring everyone closer together.
This Diwali, Indian cuisines were on us — even for talents from our global offices. We ensured everyone can join the fun so no one is left behind this Diwali.
We surprised our talents with the free Diwali meal initiative just before Diwali, and on top of that, they got to pick out their favorite Indian cuisine.
Photo by Forest Interactive Morocco
Besides ensuring everyone got their meal settled for Diwali, Houda Lahrichi, Country Manager at Forest Interactive Morocco, used her free meal allocation to buy ingredients to make her Indian meal at home to celebrate with the rest of the Forest family.
Virtual Movie Night – Taare Zameen Par (2007)
The celebration didn’t stop at feasting together as Forest Interactive also organized a Forest Interactive Virtual Diwali Movie Night, to watch a heartwarming movie, Taare Zameen Par, together. The film tells a story about a young boy, Ishaan, who is sent away to a boarding school when his parents were extremely concerned about his failing studies and seemingly lack of improvement and interest in learning. However, Ishaan’s art teacher at the boarding school realizes that Ishaan has dyslexia and helps him uncover his potential.
The Virtual Diwali Movie Night chat box was filled with talents’ commentaries during the whole movie, which made the party lively, as though we were all watching the movie together, except better, because we wouldn’t be able to talk in the cinema!
A CMCO Diwali
Besides bonding through our shared love for Indian food and Bollywood films, our talents also shared how they spent their Diwali, despite the circumstances this time around.
Photos by Tanusha Segaran
Tanusha Segaran, Payroll Specialist at Forest Interactive, describes her Diwali experience this year as “the sweetest celebration.” She and her family dressed up in many colors to celebrate the day, followed by a worship ceremony. Tanusha also thinks Diwali isn’t complete without a spread. She ended her celebration by playing with sparklers and fireworks to illuminate the special day.
“It’s all about the food!” – Tanusha
Photos by Parveen Mann
For Parveen Mann, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Forest Interactive, the Diwali celebration with her family was filled with lots of cookies, murukku, and card games! To her, nothing spells “bonding time with family” more than a friendly (or competitive?) game of Monopoly and the classic Happy Family game — both of which are games most Malaysians grew up with in their households.
Photo by Mogana Ram
As for Mogana Ram, IT Executive at Forest Interactive, Diwali was different for him this year as he wasn’t able to travel back to his hometown for the holidays. However, thanks to technology, Mogana spent his Diwali virtually with his family who are in Kluang, Johor. Though they were miles apart, they were still together at heart and via Facetime!
Although it was really unfortunate that we couldn’t organize a physical celebration, it was still a celebration for the books. Coming up with new initiatives and staying connected is more essential than ever in the new normal. At Forest Interactive, we want all our talents to feel included in the festivities, wherever they are.
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