Diwali with my kids is special

I was born in Mumbai, so I grew up celebrating Hindu festivals according to traditional customs. My son and daughter were born in Australia, so it’s important to me to teach them how the rituals are observed.

 

When you live far away from your extended family, it's harder to create those cultural memories for your kids. I am glad to have two days of allocated culture, lifestyle and wellbeing leave from Westpac because I can utilize them to mark important days on the Hindu calendar.

 

Diwali is one such occasion which is very special for my family. On the morning of the first day of the ‘festival of light’, we rise before dawn. We dress in traditional clothes, with my wife and daughter in colourful outfits. Then we light a row of earthen lamps across our home, which is also decorated with handmade paper lanterns and flowers. We also draw ‘rangoli’ which is sprinkling variety of coloured powder to form intricate designs at the front door. This represents happiness, positivity, good luck and wellbeing.

 

In the hours before dawn, prayers are offered, gifts are unwrapped and special sweet and savoury treats are served. We sit together as a family and share the food. 

 

In India, we would also light firecrackers. Here in Sydney, we light sparklers instead. It’s a happy and exciting time and even though it’s very early in the morning my kids enjoy being part of it.

 

I try to teach my kids the same traditions I loved as a kid. For example, we have a tradition where we crush a ‘kareet’ (variety of melon) using our big toe and taste the juice (quite bitter!!) only then you are allowed to eat sweets! Fastest to crush and taste wins! Besides the religious significance behind it, it is fun and also reminds us life throws us challenges but rewards soon follow.

 

In the Hindu culture we also perform ‘pujas’ (ceremonial worship) which are to be performed at a set time on a specific day as per the Hindu calendar.

 

If culture, lifestyle and wellbeing leave did not exist, I would still observe Diwali and puja. But I would have to squeeze it in, either before work or when I got home at the end of the day. Or I’d need to look at what annual leave I have remaining. Being able to take culture, lifestyle and wellbeing leave helps me to focus on the day itself and gives me peace of mind. It brings my family together.

 

I’ve worked at Westpac for 25 years and culture, lifestyle and wellbeing leave was introduced back in 2016. My leadership team has always been supportive of me taking it and last year, a second day of culture, lifestyle and wellbeing leave was introduced. I encourage you to use it, because it's a great opportunity to honour your culture and traditions.

 

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