Indians abroad on navigating festivities, identity and belonging

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The year-end holiday season often sparks reflections on how traditions evolve and blend, especially for those living far from their native countries. For Indian expatriates, navigating the festive cheer of Christmas and New Year's in a foreign land can be challenging yet rewarding. How do they preserve their “Indianness” while embracing Western traditions? Is there acceptance of their customs, or are they merely adapted to fit into their host culture?

To explore this, New India Abroad spoke with three Indians who shared their experiences of celebrating year-end festivities abroad: Swanidhi Singh, Indian-American and an associate director of Product Management at Publicis Sapient in Houston, Texas; Khyati Yadav, a student in Toronto, Canada; and KG, a Ph.D. student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each has found their own way to balance tradition and assimilation which gives a glimpse into the diaspora’s cultural negotiations.

Multiculturalism in the heart of Texas

When Swanidhi Singh left India to pursue career aspirations abroad, little did he know that the cultural richness of his homeland would travel with him. Now the Associate Director of Product Management at Publicis Sapient in Houston, Texas, Singh’s journey from a middle-class upbringing in India to a multicultural life in the U.S. is one of discovery and adaptation.

“The beauty of being Indian abroad is that Indians are everywhere, bringing a sense of familiarity wherever you go,” he says. From celebrating Diwali in Houston to embracing the grandeur of Christmas in the U.S., Singh’s year-end festivities are a colorful blend of East and West.

Last year, Singh was fortunate to spend Diwali in India, reveling in the traditional grandeur of the festival. But this year, work commitments kept him in the U.S. “The Christmas preparations here almost make up for it,” he says, marveling at the transformation of neighborhoods into sparkling wonderlands. ‘It’s not Diwali, but the spirit of celebration is universal.’

Singh recounts how Indian festivals have become a bridge for cultural exchange. At his workplace, Diwali celebrations are a cherished tradition. American clients dress in shimmering kurta pajamas, enjoy Indian delicacies, and immerse themselves in performances, he shares. Holi, too, draws enthusiasm, with Westerners eagerly participating in the vibrant, color-filled festivities.

Beyond the office, Singh finds the broader American attitude toward multiculturalism largely welcoming.“The broader attitude towards multiculturalism in the U.S., especially in cities like Houston, is largely welcoming,” he admits. “People here appreciate the diversity that comes with having communities from around the world. Most Americans seem to be okay with immigrants coming in as long as they respect and align with their values and traditions. It’s an interesting dynamic because while there’s often an expectation to adhere to “American values,” defining what is truly “American” can be challenging, given the country’s history of diversity and inclusion,” says Singh.

In one memorable anecdote, Singh describes how his workplace transitions from spooky Halloween décor to wintery Christmas cheer, complete with Santa handing out candy. One year, he found a skeleton in his chair—it’s these moments of shared laughter and camaraderie that make living abroad so special, he says.

Isolation to Cultural Acceptance in Canada

When Khyati Yadav arrived in Hamilton, Ontario, from India for a two-year certificate program at Mohawk College in  2023, the festive season of Christmas and New Year brought its own set of challenges.

In her first few months, she recalls feeling out of place. “I arrived just before Christmas, and while I could appreciate the festive lights and decorations, I wasn’t truly enjoying the holiday spirit,” she says. With no close friends and busy settling into her new life, she didn’t engage in the celebrations. She continued to eat comfort foods like "daal-chawal" and "khichdi," bypassing any special observance. “I simply wished my housemates a happy celebration and moved on,” she reflects. The same sense of isolation returned during Holi the following year.

However, by the time Diwali came around in 2024, Khyati’s life had changed drastically. “I was now dating a White Canadian, whose family had been incredibly kind and gracious towards me,” she shares. This Diwali, her partner’s family brought sweets from an Indian grocery store and wished her well. Her workplace, too, embraced the occasion, organizing a vibrant function that showcased Indian culture through dance, food, and traditional attire.

What stood out in Khyati’s experience was the unanticipated openness from the people around her, especially at her job in a retirement home. “The residents, who are in their 80s and 90s, were not only curious about my culture but enjoyed the spicy foods typical of my background,” she says. “It’s important not to underestimate people, regardless of their background,” she adds, emphasizing the broader multicultural spirit she encountered.

For Khyati, the purity of traditions wasn’t the focus; it was the essence of the festivals—the joy and togetherness—that mattered most. “I believe the happiness felt at the end of the day is what truly matters,” she reflects, her journey an inspiring testament to the power of cultural exchange and acceptance during year-end celebrations.

Reimagining traditions with a twist in Pittsburgh

KG, a Ph.D. student at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh pushed his academic pursuits to the backseat take up an entirely different kind of experiment—celebrating Indian festivals with a twist, right in the heart of the US.

“Living abroad during festivals is like starring in a crossover episode of two wildly different shows,” says KG, recounting his experience of celebrating Diwali and Halloween on the same day. The evening was a vibrant cultural mashup, with half his guests in traditional Indian attire—sarees and kurtas—and the other half decked out in Halloween costumes. “A batman trying to light a diya without setting his cape on fire was pure gold,” he adds. And in true fusion spirit, the night also included an impromptu poker game, a first for his Diwali celebrations. “At first, it felt wildly out of place, but soon the banter, dramatic bluffs, and samosas made it unforgettable.”

KG’s year-end celebrations didn’t stop at Diwali. New Year’s Eve brought more fusion—pav bhaji sliders, tamales, and baklava shared around a dinner table that looked like it belonged to the United Nations of comfort food. And when it came to Christmas, KG’s creative blend of traditions was on full display. He decorated his Christmas tree with marigold garlands, fairy lights, and diyas, while serving mulled wine spiced with garam masala and aloo tikki. “It was like Diwali and Christmas had a love child,” he says.

The response from his friends, many from Western cultures, has been overwhelmingly positive. “It’s like stepping into a whole new world,” one friend remarked about the Diwali celebrations. And although the concept of “purity” in traditions is ever-present, KG has found freedom in making his own rules. “Festivals should be about the spirit behind them, not rigid rules,” he reflects.