Working through the fireworks: The keepers of Diwali night

‘When my patients get better, that’s my Diwali’

“I have been faithfully serving patients for years, even at festivals. My two children often say, “Mom, every Diwali you are on duty.” But I gently reply, “My duty comes first; caring for people’s lives is my real festival.” Every year on Diwali, I light the diyas and decorate the home in the evening before leaving for my night duty. For me, the true spirit of Diwali is not just about lights and celebrations but about spreading hope and healing in the hospital wards. For me, every patient’s recovery feels like my family’s happiness. When they get better, that’s my Diwali,” said Shanta, senior nursing officer, PGI, Chandigarh.

‘For us, Diwali means to be on high alert’

“Diwali is a time of lights, celebration, and togetherness. Yet, for many in healthcare, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, the festival often means extra responsibility rather than time off. At Park Grecian Hospital, Mohali, our trauma and emergency teams remain on high alert, especially during Diwali, when firecracker-related injuries and accidents are unfortunately common. As the Director Medical Services, Medical Superintendent and Head Surgeon of the Department of Minimal Invasive and Laparoscopic Surgeries, I witness the dedication of our staff who work late into the night to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients. Emergencies do not follow a calendar, and illnesses do not take a break for festivals. While you light your diyas and celebrate with your loved ones, spare a thought for the doctors and healthcare workers who are keeping the lights of life burning for others. To all our patients and their families, rest assured, we are here for you today and always, said Dr (Cdr) Vimal Vibhakar, Director Medical Services, Park Grecian Hospital, Mohali.

‘It is a grace that I have been chosen to serve’

“It will be in the Emergency department that I will be posted on Diwali night. In the profession for the last seven years, I have been working every Diwali, and I look at it as a privilege, for I get to serve people. My parents are in Hoshiarpur, and I live in a PG here. Before the festival, I go and meet my family and spend some time with them. They often complain about me not being there on Diwali, but I tell them that if someone falls sick in our home, we also rush to the hospital, and someone takes care of us, no matter what the time or the occasion. When we enter this profession, we are told that our dedication to patients comes first, not any celebration, so I have never missed being home or celebrating with friends. We, in the emergency, find time to have a special dinner, and for me, it is a grace that I have been chosen to serve, and if we can make a difference in the lives of people, what could be more gratifying,” said Poonam Pawar, staff nurse, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

‘Social responsibility comes first’

“Festivals and family responsibilities are important, but social responsibility comes first. To ensure citizens can celebrate Diwali safely at home, police personnel like me will remain on duty throughout the night. On the day of Diwali, police deployment has been planned across various areas to maintain law and order. As part of these arrangements, I will personally be stationed in Mullanpur, Majri, and Kurali, and nakabandis (checkpoints) will be set up to monitor suspicious movements and prevent any anti-social elements from disturbing the peace during Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas celebrations, said Dharmveer Singh, DSP, Kharar

‘Every festival, our duty becomes much tougher’

“On every festival day, our duty becomes much tougher, especially on Diwali night, as police duty begins almost two hours earlier than usual and continues till 8 am the next day. During Diwali, the special focus is on maintaining strict control and ensuring women’s safety, as women often become soft targets for snatching or other crimes during festive chaos. Accordingly, PCR staff is strategically deployed across sensitive zones to ensure swift response to any untoward incident. On Diwali, we also receive several calls related to minor injuries caused by firecrackers, mostly of children. Our PCR teams ensure that such injured persons are rushed to hospitals without delay. The PCR units remain on high alert from Dera Bassi to Kurali, Jainti, and Mullanpur, constantly patrolling to maintain law and order. Despite the festive spirit, duty always comes first for us. Before leaving for work, we perform Diwali pooja with our families and then head straight for duty,” said Ajay Pathak, in-charge PCR (night), Mohali district

(With inputs from Parul, Hina Rohtaki and Jasbir Malhi)