KUALA LUMPUR: As Deepavali approaches, students and families are beginning to make their way back to their hometowns for the celebrations.
Among them are students Chandru and Karthi, from a college in Klang, who are eagerly returning home after months apart from their families due to demanding exam schedules.
Both expressed excitement about spending quality time with loved ones and enjoying home-cooked food.
“I haven’t been home in a few months, and I can’t wait to have my mum’s and grandmother’s cooking again. I’ve really missed it while I was here,” Chandru said.
Karthi echoed his friend’s sentiments, adding: “I’m also looking forward to catching up with my childhood friends.”
Meanwhile, other students like Kishantini and Jivashni are facing a different experience as they have final exams scheduled for just a week after Deepavali.
With the pressure of exams weighing on them, they anticipate a more subdued celebration.
“I think it will be a bit different since we have something else to focus on. We’re not really in a festive mood; the thought of exams is stressful,” Kishantini said.
Jivashni added, “We probably won’t be able to celebrate much as most of our time will be spent studying rather than socialising. But we’ll still try to enjoy the celebration since we don’t get to come home very often.”
However, not all families will be able to gather.
Kabilan, a husband and father, will miss this year’s Deepavali celebrations with his loved ones due to work commitments in Taiping.
“I knew I’d be working during Deepavali, so we had a small celebration at home last weekend,” said the 45-year-old.
“I wish I could be with my family for this joyous occasion, but duty calls.”
