Welcome to the Holiday Season!

From Thanksgiving Day that falls towards the end of November, right up to the New Year is the most festive time in the Western World. In countries like the US, you feel the festivity in the air. “Welcome to the Holiday Season!” is the message everywhere! Malls and restaurants, bistros and cafes are packed with people. The pace at work slackens as people take their foot off the pedal. The first snowfall transforms the entire place to a fairytale world! In short, the joy of life or joie de vivre as it is termed, flows in abundance!

The euphoria is short lived. Once the New Year celebration is over, something snaps and everything goes into a nosedive. It starts with the weather. January and February are the bleakest months of winter when the sun is hardly seen. There is a distinct spike at the work-place to make up for the earlier loose schedule. It is like a ghost town everywhere and malls that thronged with people, now wear a deserted look. Christmas and New Year gave an incentive for people to enjoy. It will now be several months till the next celebration.

Contrast this with India. Once the New Year party is over, you feel no void. You gear up for the next festival- Pongal and Baisakhi. By the month end, you celebrate Republic Day. February is a short month and also the time when the weather is at its best. Now, you get ready for Holi. Before you know, school is over and summer vacation has begun. Children enjoy and their enthusiasm rubs off on the rest of us!

Once school starts, it is time for the monsoon to give that welcome break from the summer heat. And soon, it is time for the big festivals- Gokulashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi, Dasara and Deepavali! By the end of the year, you join hands with other communities to celebrate Christmas! As if this is not enough, urban India is embracing celebrations like “Halloween” that were unknown a few years ago! And once you throw in IPL’s annual Cricket circus, the fun never ends!

A person who has grown up in the West does not miss anything. The NRI’s case is different. He is like the tiger that has tasted human blood and thirsts for more! Having lived an earlier life in India, the NRI recalls festival time in India. He has to make a tough choice- should he choose the West and its ease of everyday life or should he embrace India and its convivial atmosphere. Meanwhile, India can also put out its slogan, “Welcome to the Holiday Season!” It can add a punchline- “The season extends throughout the year!”