My Dad had business friends who used to give him delicious Indian sweet treats around the time of Diwali. He would bring home an exquisite platter of colourful home-made “sweet meats” and we would enjoy the delicious variety sparingly, knowing how much work, care and love went into making them. They had edible gold and silver leaf, pastel sprinkles, hues of green, pink and orange or crispy golden deep fried, sometimes also studded with a few tiny silver balls or decorated with rainbow coloured puffed rice. As a child I remember hearing the Women and Girls would gather together in large groups in sizeable home kitchens and spend a day or weekend making these delicious, beautiful, delicately spiced exotic treats together, then sharing them with family and friends. I wished I could be a part of such a close knit culture, togetherness and bonding over such an auspicious time of year.

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