Diwali is no longer just about new clothes, lavish gift hampers and festive shopping sprees for the youth, but about celebrating with greater purpose and intention. From using their first stipends to support a child’s education to choosing sustainable decor and handmade gifts, young Mumbaikars are rethinking how they celebrate. Their approach is simple: spend with intention, give with thought and make the festival count beyond the festivities.
Spreading light through the gift of giving
For 19-year-old second-year BBA student Nethra Sudhir, her first internship stipend was a milestone she wanted to celebrate differently. Instead of spending it on herself, she decided to sponsor a child’s education through a city-based NGO. “Receiving my first internship stipend was a huge milestone, but this Diwali, I wanted to give that money a higher purpose. By contributing my salary to sponsor a child’s education, I’m hoping to light up someone’s future,” she says.
When a gift is personal, not expensive
For 22-year-old design student Armaan Shaikh, conscious gifting is about putting thought into a present rather than simply picking something off a shelf. Last year, he made a Diwali hamper for his closest friends. “It cost less than the gifts I’d buy, but it took more time because I wanted each one to feel personal,” he says.
Sustainable celebrations , rooted in tradition
Conscious consumption and gifting is also something that is important to Gen Z. For 26-year-old corporate lawyer Parisha Dhebar, supporting local artisans has long been a family tradition. This year, they are opting for recyclable bamboo lanterns handcrafted by local communities. Teacher and entrepreneur Vidur Dhabaria, 27, is gifting eco-friendly diyas painted by women from a city NGO. “Choosing handmade, sustainable gifts helps the environment and supports these women’s livelihoods,” he says.
