A happy Raya reunion for budding businesswoman and her family in India

Nila Hikmahana (second left) and her three brothers were able to celebrate with their parents, who are working in India, after four years.

PETALING JAYA: After four years of being apart from her parents, a Malaysian youth finally got to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with them in India.

Nila Hikmahana Mohd Hafiz, whose parents have been working in Mumbai since 2016, was looking forward to kissing their hands on the first Syawal morning.

"It hasn't been easy, not seeing my Mum and Dad for four years.

"I have missed them so much since I came back to Malaysia in 2018.

"Things got worse when Covid-19 hit, our borders were closed, and I couldn't travel to India to see them," the 21-year-old told mStar, The Star's Malay-language portal.

Aspiring businesswoman Nila Hikmahana recalled that she and her three brothers could only celebrate Hari Raya through video calls in 2020 because of movement restrictions.

Their wish for a family reunion could finally come true after Malaysia reopened its borders on April 1.

"Alhamdulillah, the wait is finally over because we can celebrate together this year," she said.

Nila Hikmahana and her brothers flew to Mumbai to be with their parents, Noor Zana Ahmad dan Mohd Hafiz Hashim, the director of Tourism Malaysia Mumbai.

The bubbly lass said the Hari Raya celebration in Mumbai was different from home, as the atmosphere was "not as happening".

"There are no home visits except among other Malaysians who also live here," she said.

To liven up the Hari Raya atmosphere, Nila Hikmahana said her family hosted an open house with several other Malaysians in Mumbai.

"The most significant thing is that I get to be with my family. We have been apart for too long.

"The celebration becomes much more meaningful (when) our family is together," she said.

As for food, Nila Hikmahana said whipping up favourite Malaysian fare was not a challenge as the spices and ingredients were easily available there.

"That's why our family mostly broke our fast at home.

"There's no problem cooking a nice rendang for Raya," she said, adding that it was a fun experience to spend part of her Ramadan fasting and celebrating Hari Raya in India.

Basking in the beauty of India, Nila Hikmahana said she could not have enough of the beautiful fabric for sarees, to the extent that she became a "personal shopper" for friends and her TikTok followers looking for the material.

Nila Hikmahana, who runs a bundle and pastry business back home, said she would be back in Malaysia in August and looks forward to doing more with her family in their hometown.