In the lead-up to Diwali 2025, an incident in Gannaur, Sonipat, captured national attention when factory workers expecting gifts with customary monetary bonuses instead received boxes of Soan Papdi. In a viral video, workers can be seen throwing boxes outside the factory and protesting.
This story highlights an ongoing tension between cultural gifting traditions and evolving employee expectations in modern India.
A Gift Rejected: The Incident Unfolded
Just days before Diwali, workers at a manufacturing facility in Gannaur were handed Soan Papdi boxes by management rather than big gifts, sparking immediate outcry. Social media videos showed employees throwing the sweets at the factory gate, chants of dissatisfaction echoing across the scene.
Many workers expressed feelings of insult and frustration as rising costs and delayed wages have tightened household budgets. Factory supervisors conveyed that the sweets were intended as festive goodwill, but this gesture missed the mark amid economic realities. Authorities confirmed no property damage or violence resulted from the protest.
Cultural Symbolism vs Economic Reality
Soan Papdi has long been associated with Diwali, prized for its nostalgic and cultural value as a staple sweet often gifted among families and friends. Yet this year, its acceptance as an employee gift has been challenged. The viral rejection underscores a growing discourse on how traditional corporate gestures may fail to meet the evolving material needs of workers, especially amid inflationary pressures.
Labour unions and advocacy groups have urged companies to reconsider bonus policies, prioritising meaningful financial rewards alongside customary tokens. The incident aligns with broader conversations nationwide about worker dignity and fair recognition.
Broader Context and Industry Reactions
Similar cases in other industrial hubs have surfaced where employees have voiced dissatisfaction with symbolic gifts replacing monetary bonuses. The fact that the Gannaur incident went viral points to social media’s role in amplifying labour grievances and sparking public debate.
This Diwali season, alongside the distressing incident in Gannaur, social media saw a contrasting wave of extravagant Diwali gift reels from some companies that went viral across India. Videos from prominent firms like Info Edge, a leading tech company, showed employees receiving lavish presents such as VIP-branded suitcases, snack boxes, diyas, and even air fryers in previous years.
These reels flooded Instagram feeds, sparking admiration as well as playful envy among viewers who compared their own modest or absent Diwali gifts. The thoughtful presentation and generous scale of these gifts highlighted an emerging trend where companies aim to celebrate their workforce with more substantial and memorable tokens, reflecting a shift toward recognising employees’ value beyond traditional sweets.
However, these reels also ignited debate on disparities in gift-giving practices across sectors. Many applauded such generosity, while others expressed frustration, highlighting an ongoing expectation gap in festive corporate gifting culture.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This episode reflects a deeper need for empathy and dialogue in corporate India’s approach to employee recognition. While cultural symbols like Soan Papdi carry sentimental value, they cannot substitute tangible appreciation that meets workers’ real and present-day needs.
Celebrations should foster inclusivity and genuine goodwill rather than resentment. Thoughtful corporate conduct, fair compensation, and open conversations can transform Diwali gifting from a source of tension into an opportunity for connection.
Video: “Not so sweet Diwali” Video from a factory in Haryana’s Sonipat industrial belt shows workers tossing SOAN PAPDI gift boxes in anger. The clip’s gone viral online.#Diwali2025 #SoanPapdi #ViralVideo #FactoryLife #IndiaNews pic.twitter.com/En7RoaXzlO
— Kushagra Mishra (@m_kushagra) October 21, 2025
