For Manpreet Singh, the Queens borough of New York City has always been home. In fact, he still lives in the same neighborhood as the small basement apartment where he grew up with his parents and two younger siblings.
So, it was the highlight of his career when Best Buy recently named him the senior omnichannel general manager for the Queens market. In that role, he oversees three local stores and more than 400 employees.
“It’s a proud thing for me.
Diwali is the biggest, most important Indian holiday of the year. But like many things, it’s going to look a bit different amid the pandemic this year.
Also known as Deepavali, Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. It’s a five-day celebration and similar to how Thanksgiving is celebrated in the U.S.
“During Diwali, people decorate their homes, gather for feasts and exchange gifts,” said Srividya Vaidyanathan, a member of Best Buy’s Asian Employee Resource Group (ERG). “With Diwali falling between Halloween and Thanksgiving, one way to participate is to put up your holiday decorations a few weeks early, like many Asian Indians do.”
When Divya Maiya, a Best Buy product manager, moved to the United States nine years ago from India, she thought she would have to say goodbye to traditions. Traditions like Diwali, a festival of lights that celebrates the victory of good over evil.
To her great surprise, she learned that Best Buy not only encourages employees to celebrate the holiday, it hosts a large celebration at its corporate office. Last year’s event drew 400 people.
“I couldn’t even adapt to it for the first year.