When Urmi Talukdar (Analyst Release Management) decided to build her life in Australia, it meant leaving behind her loved ones and the colourful cultural celebrations back home.
“I come from a joint Hindu-Bengali family,” Urmi said, “and growing up in Bangladesh, we counted down the days to Diwali.
“It’s happiness. Coloured lights, sweets, rangoli and spending time with family. It’s the biggest event on the calendar for me!”
Diwali is widely celebrated in India and across the globe but, when Urmi first arrived in Australia from Bangladesh over 20 years ago, she didn’t expect much from Diwali down under.
“We didn’t know many people who celebrated Diwali back then,” she said.
“I missed the big family gatherings with traditional music, vibrant clothing, and the rituals. I missed that sense of belonging.
“I remember my husband taking me to an Indian dress shop for a new outfit. That was it.”
Since then, things have changed significantly.
“I miss the bustling markets filled with colourful decorations and the mouthwatering smells of treats being prepared by my mother,” Urmi said, “but we’ve created new traditions in Australia.
“It’s still not the same without my family, but now I’m part of a community of friends who celebrate Diwali.
“Together, we share meals, exchange sweets, and light up our homes. It’s helped to fill the gap I felt in those early years.
“Our celebrations are a blend of the old and new. It reminds me that the spirit of Diwali – of light, hope, and togetherness – remains strong.”
Urmi has recently joined Cultural Inc., NAB’s cultural inclusion employee resource group, as one of the Event Coordinators for the Sydney chapter.
“For me, joining Cultural Inc. is about understanding and appreciating our differences, and making NAB a more inclusive workplace for all our colleagues,” Urmi said. “I’m excited to be part of the team that is bringing the celebration of lights to NAB!”
And over her 16 years at NAB, Urmi’s focus on continuous improvement and learning has helped her build the skills to make sure things go smoothly.
“In my role as Analyst Release Management, I make sure technology changes to our banking app go through smoothly so they’re user-friendly and simple for customers,” she said.
“I love that I can use those transferable skills in my Cultural Inc. role to make sure our Diwali event goes smoothly! And all our colleagues at NAB are invited to celebrate with us!”
Diwali falls on 29 October to 3 November this year and Urmi is also looking forward to sharing her cultural traditions with her daughter.
“Embracing my cultural identity gives me a sense of belonging and connection,” she said. “I want that for my daughter too.
“We’ll be celebrating the essence of Diwali with her and helping her understand why we celebrate. There will be prayers, rangoli, and family time.
“We’re creating our own connections to our heritage.”
