The festive season has kicked in. The Diwali celebrations across companies have unintentionally led to a comprehensive discussion. A circulated video shows employees dressed in traditional attire at work, each showcasing expensive gift items like a signature red air-fryer and a premium-looking box. The post was captioned with witty humour, “If you’re still getting Soan Papdi, please resign”. It has captured the attention of social media. The clip went viral, starting a wave of comments that fuse laughter with pointed critique.
The symbolism behind
In the short clip, dozens of employees have posed with their branded gift bags. The red air-fryer comes out as the hero piece. It was paired with a small but elegant box suggestive of exclusivity and high value. Some interpreted the message as a sign of festive joy, whereas many netizens looked at it as a display of corporate one-upmanship.
Why did the reaction go sharp?
The strong online response echoes deeper workplace emotions. The festive gifts are less about cheer and more about flexing perks. When one company goes all-out, others feel left behind. The comments referenced modest past gifts like Soan Papdi, simple sweets and differentiated them with this year’s high-value items, creating a narrative of disparity. One commenter mentioned, “From ₹ 3k air-fryers to now travel luggage, these office gifts feel like lottery wins.”
What does it reveal about workplace culture?
The incident emphasises how corporate rituals, which were once a simple gesture of appreciation, have now it has turned into a trait of status. In a society where job security, work-life balance, and recognition frequently remain unmet, luxurious gifts have evolved to what commentators' call “compensation by sparkle.” It shows the pressure on employees to keep up, the social media-fuelled criticism of perks, and the fine line between public joy and private stress.
What started as a festive reveal has evolved into a cultural mirror, reflecting how corporate India harmonises celebration, image and employee emotion. The air-fryer-and-box moment may fade, but the questions it raised will never. Do workplace tokens truly reward effort or just highlight inequality? Are these gifts genuine or performative? In digital age workplaces, where every motion is under scrutiny, perhaps this viral video proved to be more than just Diwali cheer; rather, it has become a commentary on how employers work, celebrate and compare.
