M&R Celebrates Diwali

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a five-day celebration that denotes the beginning of the fiscal year in India. As one of the most popular and celebrated Indian holidays, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

Jigs Gandhi, M&R vice president of procurement, IT and corporate services, explained that many Hindus recognize Diwali as the time to celebrate the return of Prince Rama of Ayodhya, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshman after 14 years of exile. Prince Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and an embodiment of dharma, or righteousness. Sita is an incarnation of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

The residents of Ayodhya were overjoyed at the return of their rightful King and set out lamps in his honor, making the entire city look like rows of lights, Jigs said. Other Hindus commemorate Diwali as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon king Narakasura. In some regions of India, Diwali coincides with the Hindu New Year.

Each of Diwali’s five days has its own rituals. On the first day, people “invite” Lakshmi into their homes, decorate with colorful flowers and serve sweet and savory treats. On day three, called Diwali/Deepawali, Hindus dress in new clothes, visit the temple to perform a puja (a worship service) light oil lamps around the house, eat delicious food and sweets, and enjoy fireworks celebrations with family and friends.

Jigs said that since Diwali marks the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business, companies perform Puja – a worship ritual that involves offering light, incense, flowers and food to the gods – on their new accounting books. All previous business accounts are closed and presented to the Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.

This year, Diwali was celebrated in late October. To recognize the occasion, M&R hosted a holiday meal at its Great Neck, New York, headquarters on day three, Diwali/Deepawali. Participants included Amit Gandhi, president & CEO; Manish Patni, executive vice president; Samir Gandhi, owner; and their respective spouses, children, parents, brothers and sisters.

Back in Manhattan, Andy Persaud, facility manager of the the Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Central Park, brought a traditional sweet dessert known as mithai to share with the hotel staff.

Family members of the M&R team in Great Neck, New York, celebrate Diwali in the corporate boardroom.

Andy Persaud, facility manager of the Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Central Park, tempts his colleagues with a traditional sweet dessert known as mithai.

Relatives of the corporate staff celebrate Diwali in M&R’s Great Neck boardroom.

Bright traditional grab brings Diwali cheer to the M&R boardroom. — Bright traditional garb brings Diwali cheer to the M&R boardroom.