A recent incident in Sonipat, Haryana, has stirred debate online. A viral video showed employees throwing away boxes of Soan Papdi that their company had given as Diwali gifts instead of cash bonuses.
The video spread quickly across social media, triggering mixed reactions. Some viewers joked about the act, while others criticised it as disrespectful and wasteful, especially during a festival that celebrates sharing and gratitude.
Over the years, Soan Papdi has become an internet meme often mocked as the most re-gifted sweet in India. But when jokes turn into public outrage, they reveal more about changing attitudes than about the sweet itself.
Throwing food away, particularly during Diwali, feels misplaced. Those same boxes could have brightened someone else’s day. A gift, however small, still represents thought and intent.
The real essence of Diwali lies in kindness and appreciation, not in mocking tradition. While companies may need to reconsider how they reward employees, gratitude remains the sweetest gift of all even sweeter than Soan Papdi.
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
