Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared Diwali greetings to his 2.9 million Instagram followers on Sunday. The 51-year-old business executive used the Diwali post to promote his company’s phone, Google Pixel, as he shared a high-definition photo of a sparkler. This picture was taken by Chennai-based photographer Madhan Mohan Raman. In his Instagram greeting, Pichai wrote, “In honor of Diwali celebrations this weekend, enjoying photos taken by Team Pixel over the years – here’s one from madhanmohan_r. Wishing all who celebrate a fun and festive Diwali.” So far this post has gathered 2.2 lakh likes.
Madhan Mohan Raman, who first posted this photo on Diwali last year, replied to Pichai’s post and wrote, “Thanks a lot Sundar Pichai sir, wishing you a very happy Diwali to you and your family.” An Instagram user jokingly pointed out Pichai’s covert promotion of the Google Pixel phones and wrote, “We all know what you did … with this picture message Sundar Pichai … happy Diwali.”
On X, Pichai shared there was an increase in queries related to Diwali in recent days and wrote, “Happy Diwali to all who celebrate! We’re seeing lots of interest about Diwali traditions on Search, here are a few of the top trending “why” questions worldwide: https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/15674004/”.
His post included a GIF post that showed some of the frequently searched queries such as “Why Indians celebrate Diwali,” “Why do we do rangoli on Diwali,” “Why do we light lamps on Diwali,” “Why is Lakshmi puja done on Diwali”, and “Why oil bath on Diwali”.
Over the years, Pichai, who was born in Madurai, has infrequently posted about Diwali. In 2018, he shared a picture of Diwali themed cookies and wrote, “Don’t think I ever had cookies for Diwali growing up, but these were pretty yummy:) Happy Diwali to everyone who is celebrating!”
Unlike Pichai, Apple CEO Tim Cook has regularly posted pictures since 2018. In all his wishes on X, Cook would share pictures taken by iPhones. This year too he shared a photograph of people holding sky lanterns. He wrote, “Happy Diwali! May your celebrations be filled with warmth, prosperity, and the joy of being together. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro Max by Chandan Khanna.”
Last year on Diwali he shared a picture of a lady shielding an elaborate diya and wrote, “This photo beautifully captures why Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. Wishing all who celebrate a holiday full of joy and prosperity. ShotoniPhone by Apeksha Maker.”
This year Diwali was celebrated on November 12, Sunday. In June, New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, declared Diwali an official public school holiday. However, the students did not get a holiday this year because the school calendar for 2023-2024 was decided before Adams’s announcement. The holiday will come into play next year.
