Diwali Celebration in Creative Virtual’s India Office – with the Founder & CEO!
By Rajkumar Mehra, Head of V-Portal Development
Sparklers last only a few seconds, but the legend has lived for millennia. After the long war, when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, the city was dressed up with lamps and flowers. Diwali marks the return of the king and the Ramayana still remains India’s most enduring legend. Diwali or Deepavali means “row of lamps” in Sanskrit. The festival marks the triumph of light over darkness. Clay lamps, or diyas, traditionally filled with mustard oil, are lit and placed around the entrances to homes and offices on the night before the new moon, which this year was on Thursday, October 23.
The festival of lights reminds us of the festive season of joy, splendour, enthusiasm and happiness. This year it lit up the mood of the members of the Creative Virtual family in India due to the presence and enthusiastic participation of Creative Virtual Founder & CEO Chris and his partner Julie.
The celebration started off with teams enthusiastically decorating their prearranged vicinity; Creative Virtual’s office in Bombay was decorated with lot of energy by the team in a very short time, everything from flower garlands to lanterns to festive lights were used and teams spared no effort to enliven the festive spirit. The workplace was decorated with ribbons, lanterns, balloons and lights.
Chris and Julie had just returned from their trip to North India (Chandigarh-Amritsar-New Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Shahpur-Udaipur) and readily came to office in spite of being tired – and dressed up in tradition Indian Kurtas too!!!
Chris shared a lot of anecdotes from the trip, the amazing places they had been to and their experiences with the traditions and local cultures. Chris described the surreal experience he had while visiting the Golden Temple, it was really great of him to take part in certain important rituals as well. Visiting so many different places and interacting with local persons gave them a good glimpse of life in India and they had to say – Incredible India!
Chris and Julie lighted the traditional lamps (diyas) and these were then placed at the entrance of the office – to welcome prosperity in their lives, homes, workplaces! Chris and Julie also lighted a couple of sparklers and really kick-started the celebrations.
During Diwali, it is customary to give employees sweets and gifts for Diwali – it is considered inauspicious for employees going home empty handed during Diwali. Chris kept the tradition alive and well!
All Creative Virtual employees present in India were given delicious Kaju Katlis and a gift that they can use at their homes and remember as well for a long time. Chris and Julie jointly and very humbly distributed the sweets and gifts to everyone on the team.
This was followed by a relished team lunch, enjoyed by all. Chris and Julie bid good bye to the team and thereafter continued with their last leg of the trip. It was a wonderful celebration and a pleasure to have Chris and Julie join us in the festivities.
