The Festival of Lights for those far from Family

Silent Diyas, Loud Dreams

Dr Vikas Sharma
drvikassharma20202020@gmail.com
As Diwali bathes homes in the warm glow of diyas, laughter, and the aroma of festive feasts, a different kind of “celebration” is unfolding-a quiet one, punctuated with duty and sprinkled with sacrifice. For the “fortunate” tribe of resident doctors, MBBS students, engineers, and young professionals living far from home, Diwali is not the grand gathering seen on Instagram stories. Instead, it’s a solitary candle on a desk, a few hurried texts, and maybe a video call squeezed in between shifts. Instead of vibrant garlands and family feasts, there’s cafeteria food, worn-out notepads, and, of course, the bittersweet satisfaction of duty.
Picture the resident doctor, shuffling between patient wards while his phone buzzes with family photos and messages about firecracker choices back home. Meanwhile, he’s tackling his own “explosive” situations in the ER. His day’s brightest light? The flicker of a vending machine, offering an over-sweetened tea he mentally rebrands as “mithai.” Duty first, festival later, he tells himself-though his heart drifts homeward with every pause. After all, what could provide a more glamorous Diwali than the bustling corridors of a hospital?
Then there’s the MBBS student, thousands of miles from home, who gets his Diwali cheer from the glowing laptop screen that allows a brief glimpse into his family’s celebration. He lights a lone candle on his desk, trying to summon some Diwali magic as his textbooks tower around him and deadlines hover like an ominous cloud. His “Diwali feast”? A waiting cup of instant noodles as he pushes through one more assignment. Who knew adulthood could add such “flavor” to the festival of lights?
For these young professionals, Diwali has shifted from a vibrant family festival to a personal ritual of resilience. Everyone at home may be lighting diyas together, but they’re immersed in the “important” work-missing out on family gatherings, celebrating with dropped video calls, and perfecting the art of solo festival cheer. As their homes sparkle without them, they fill the silence with introspection, self-discovery, and the “joys” of growing up.
Some, however, have another “task” for the season: waiting. He’s busy with rounds, tests, and an assortment of patient charts, yet his mind keeps straying to someone miles away-a certain someone who’s knee-deep in competitive exam prep. If only he could send over a cup of mithai-flavored tea and a good-luck charm for her textbooks! He dreams of them finally being together, but until then, he keeps trusting “the process” (because, of course, waiting isn’t excruciating at all).
And she? Well, she’s too busy exploring her potential, proving herself, and discovering new layers of independence. No doubt she’d love to wish him a Happy Diwali… if she weren’t fully booked with self-reflection, intellectual evolution, and a mountain of practice questions. After all, who has time for festivals when there’s a whole self yet to be discovered?
These “lucky” souls, lighting solitary candles in rented rooms or dim corridors, are learning a new kind of courage: self-reliance. They don’t have mom to serve them mithai or dad to tell Diwali tales. Instead, they make do with three-minute video calls interrupted by hospital announcements or reply to midnight texts reading, “Missing you here.” Yes, they’re missing out, but who’s counting?
They walk a delicate line between the art of “being fine” and “not at all lonely.” Behind those brave faces, they know the pain of sacrifices made for dreams that somehow keep them warm as the chill of missing home bites a little harder. Every small diya they light becomes a reminder of their chosen path, requiring patience, courage, and a dash of humor.
While families light diyas side-by-side, these young dreamers light their own, embracing Diwali as a festival of quiet courage and fierce self-compassion. In a way, it’s a different kind of feast-one built on resilience, solitude, and the invisible glory of a life built on sacrifice.
After all, they are the ones who remind us that Diwali is not only about being surrounded by loved ones but about keeping a flame alive within-a flame that grows brighter with each moment of solitude and every step closer to their dreams.

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