The Festival of Lights, and Gratitude
The frantic energy of Diwali week in Kanpur had finally subsided. The endless client meetings were done, the last of the orders shipped. As I sat in my quiet office on the evening of October 31st, 2025, the distant pop of firecrackers was the only thing breaking the silence. This year, however, I had one last, important celebration planned before heading home. For the past five years, the backbone of my business has been my secretary, Anjali. She's the calm in every storm, the one who remembers everything from a client's child's name to the intricate details of a contract. This year, I wanted to acknowledge that her dedication is a light in my professional life, just as deserving of celebration as the diyas I would light at home. I had asked her to stay back for a few minutes, and when she walked into my office, her expression was one of polite curiosity. Her eyes, however, widened in surprise when she saw the small table I had set up. On it sat two beautifully decorated bo...