For innumerable people working corporate jobs in cities that aren’t their hometowns and going back home for the festival of Diwali can be a bit of a problem. That is because not many workplaces offer enough number of off days for people to be able to spend enough time with their families. Even those who live with their families find it difficult to prepare for the festive season as they get only 1-2 days off.
Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management Limited, recently took to social media to suggest an alternative. Taking inspiration from the West, she suggested that companies should give a long and extended holiday to employees to celebrate the festive season and spend time with their families.
“In all my years living in the West, holiday season was long and extended. Christmas time off started after the 15th of December and continued through the New Year. In China, Chinese New Year has a long holiday,” she wrote.
She went on to add that this year, Diwali fell on a Sunday and hence, it didn’t really count as a “holiday”.
“Unfortunately in India, Diwali holidays are usually 1 or 2 days in corporate offices. In years like this one when Diwali falls on a weekend, there is one day off. Many of us travel to be with families across the country, sometimes far and wide.”
A week-long festive break was what she suggested.
“While we can take the days off, is there a care for a longer festive break, maybe a week long one, as a country, so we can enjoy the festive season and family time without counting days?”
Have a look at her post here:
In all my years living in the West, holiday season was long and extended. Christmas time off started after the 15th of December and continued through the New Year. In China, Chinese New Year has a long holiday.
Unfortunately in India, Diwali holidays are usually 1 or 2 days…
— Radhika Gupta (@iRadhikaGupta) November 11, 2023
Several people online agreed with what she said and expressed that a week-long holiday would allow them to go shopping, make necessary arrangements for the festival, travel and spend ample time with friends and family. Some companies have even started implementing this idea.
Here’s a look at some of the reactions:
I have given 3 days off post Diwali. Clubbed with Diwali weekend it’s 5 days off. I think everyone deserves this.
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 13, 2023
A client of mine is closed the whole of next week. They reopen on 20th November. They normally close all working days in the Diwali week.
— Ajay Rotti (@ajayrotti) November 11, 2023
You can start with your organisation, propose it to your board. We have already implemented in our company
— Vivek Mashrani, CFA (@MashraniVivek) November 12, 2023
This may annoy Mr Murthy but I strongly second the idea. In WB Durga Pujo is a long break.
Yes we need one long break and itust be aligned for parents and kids schedule.
There may be a case to cut on so called bank holidays though.
— Rajesh Dahiya (@rajeshkdahiya) November 11, 2023
Very true. There’s no need of having a lengthy ‘Christmas’ holiday when only a marginal population celebrates it in Bharat.
Infact, we should align our school programs in a way that we have holidays in and around Diwali 🪔!
Corporate structures aligned in a way that we could…
— विmaல் दुबे (@vimalkumardubey) November 11, 2023
Absolutely true. This has to be thought through that way and make Deepavali a big holiday time instead of stupid one day or two day off.
— BhartiyNiveshak (@BhartiyNiveshak) November 11, 2023
There are great middle paths to be taken. For folks without office bound jobs, WFH can be offered a week before or after Diwali, without necessarily compromising on productivity. Those who do want to, can take as many days off as required.
— Karan Rajpal (@IronyMeter) November 11, 2023
Super pertinent point.. Lets preserve the charm and sanctity of our festivals – essence of which is to spend quality time with family !
— Mohit Gang (@Mohit_Gang) November 12, 2023
Much needed one ..
A long festive holiday is not just to spend more time with family,but to take out time to shop, make necessary arrangements and celebrate with pomp and leisure.As such Diwali is celebrated for 5 days.
— Dr Meghanath (@dr_MNY) November 11, 2023
Yes mam, right now I am in college in Kerala and got diwali holidays of 2 days. It’s very difficult to travel to my home (Uttar Pradesh) for #Diwali
This is my first #Diwali out of my home.— Devansh Tripathi (@Devansh_1106) November 12, 2023
On the other hand, many people pointed out that as compared to the West, which only has one solid holiday break for Christmas and New Year, India has multiple festivals across multiple states – all for which we tend to get days off. Having an extended Diwali break would only reduce the remaining working days.
What are your views regarding this?