During the Lockdown only three of my workers left for home. https://twitter.com/nan_dini_/status/1259697816667975693

The remaining sixty five waited on my assurance that once the Lockdown was lifted we would return to complete the projects we had left unfinished.

Unfortunately because of social distancing protocols we sent home 20, recalling a few once things had stabilised.

Today 115 days since the Lockdown was lifted, over chai, samosa & ladoos after the Diwali gifts & mithai had been distributed we looked back & even laughed together at the new challenges, trepidation & stress we had faced.

What we had learnt & how we had coped.

Initially, the panic & then the matter of fact manner in which we handled a few Covid cases in our midst.

Men & women of all faiths, from 8 different states of India sat together under a tree & the shade of shrubs looking forward to a day off tomorrow, for Diwali & Bhai Dooj.

A well earned time off with family & friends with the comfort of a promising order book for the year ahead.

Looking at my team slurping tea & giving unsolicited advice to Banwari Lal & Sumer Khan, both on ladders, on how & where to drape the Diwali lights -

a responsibility that has been theirs for at least 25 years out of 30, I felt a quiet sense of the worst being behind us....

But then this festival does do that to you - brings Hope of New Beginnings, Prosperity & Light.

Diwali Greetings To All ! May The Force Be With You !

Exciting Times Ahead.