Celebrating Diversity: Diwali with Anoop
This is the second post in our special series celebrating the experiences of our dedicated couriers during significant cultural and religious occasions.
After our Ramadan feature with Mohammod Mashud, we caught up with Anoop, one of our valued couriers. He shared his experience of working during Diwali — and how he balances celebration, work, and community during the Festival of Lights.
Questions and Answers:
Q: Happy Diwali! What is Diwali and why is it important to you personally?
A: Diwali is more than just a festival of lights for me. It’s about renewal, reflection, and connection — with family, with our roots, and with something bigger than ourselves. Personally, it’s a reminder to pause and appreciate the light we carry inside, even when life feels heavy. It also feels like a fresh beginning — technically our version of Christmas — where we celebrate new starts, joy, and togetherness.
Q: Do you have a favourite memory from past Diwali celebrations?
A: One of my favourite memories is from when I was younger — staying up late helping decorate the house with diyas and rangoli, then sneaking extra sweets when no one was looking. It wasn’t about the perfect setup, but the laughter and warmth that filled the home.
Q: Are there any foods or traditions during Diwali that you really enjoy?
A: Definitely the food. The sweets — ladoos, gulab jamun, jalebi — they hit different during Diwali. But also, the tradition of giving and sharing food feels just as special. It’s not just eating, it’s about offering a piece of love to others. Getting together and celebrating the festival of light with lamps and fireworks.
Q: How do you and your family usually celebrate Diwali?
A: We keep it simple but meaningful. We start by cleaning and decorating the house, then in the evening we come together for a pooja at home before heading to the temple. After that, we light diyas, enjoy some fireworks, and of course share a meal together. It’s mainly about being with family — spreading joy, love, and that warm feeling of togetherness that Diwali always brings.
Q: Are there any traditions or activities during Diwali which are particularly meaningful to you?
A: Lighting diyas. There’s something powerful about such a small flame symbolising so much — hope, resilience, and faith. It feels like a reminder that even in darkness, one small light can shift the atmosphere.
Q: How do you balance work commitments with personal and family celebrations during the festival season?
A: It’s not easy. Work doesn’t stop just because it’s Diwali. But I try to be intentional — even if I can’t take the whole day, I make sure I’m fully present in the moments I do have with family. Quality over quantity.
Q: What does Diwali mean to your community?
A: It’s unity. Even if everyone celebrates in their own way, there’s this shared sense of pride, joy, and togetherness. It brings people out, connects neighbours, and reminds us that community still matters.
Q: Do you have a message for people about celebrating safely and respectfully during festive seasons?
A: Yes — celebrate fully, but also consciously. Be mindful of the environment, of animals, and of each other. Respect the traditions, but don’t forget kindness in the process. That’s the real spirit of any festival..
Q: In your view, what makes Diwali unique compared to other festivals?
A: It’s the combination of light, renewal, and reflection. Many festivals are about gathering, but Diwali is about transformation too — clearing out the old, inviting in new beginnings, and carrying that sense of renewal into the year ahead. In a way, it’s like our Christmas — not only a time of joy and gifts, but also of fresh starts and family connection.
Q: How would you describe Diwali to someone who has never heard of it?
A: I’d say it’s the festival of lights — but not just in the physical sense. It’s a time when families come together to honour tradition, celebrate life, and symbolically bring light into their homes and hearts.
Q: What are the main traditions or activities associated with Diwali
A: Cleaning and decorating the home, lighting diyas and candles, performing prayers, exchanging gifts and sweets, visiting the temple, and gathering with family. Some people also celebrate with fireworks, but at its heart, it’s about light, renewal, and connection.
Q: What do the lights, candles, or fireworks during Diwali symbolise
A: They symbolise victory — light over darkness, hope over despair, good over evil. To me, it’s also personal: a reminder that even the smallest spark of light is powerful when everything feels dark..