Songkran: Splashing into the Thai New Year

The Thai New Year and water festival, Songkran, is a deeply felt celebration of rebirth and purification. Roads become happy battlefields when water runs freely, signifying the washing away of the past and the welcome the future. Experiencing Songkran personally—or even learning about it—is like seeing the universal language of community, a concept important to my background and work.
Except during monsoons or Holi festivals, growing up, water was usually connected with necessity rather than festivity. But Songkran transforms water into a strong emblem of renewal. The core of the festival reminds me of my work at the office interning with Mars Wrigley. In a sense, my job reflected Songkran’s idea of rebirth since I helped procedures that raised return on investment and reduced significant expenses come to pass.
For someone researching digital business transformation in Toulouse, the Songkran idea speaks to my present emphasis on adjusting to evolving dynamics. The message of the festival fits my path of leaving comfort zones—from Punjab to one of France’s most esteemed corporate universities. Whether in academics or cultural immersion, I have discovered that personal development depends on one first eliminating preconceptions.
The water battles of Songkran also remind me of the light-hearted yet deliberate force I offer for event planning. Organising landmark cultural events at IIM Lucknow required the capacity to link individuals via common experiences, much like Songkran. These are the times when happiness gets shared that I understand how celebrations form communities—in a Thai village or a worldwide MBA program.
Songkran represents metamorphosis as much as celebration for me. Like my change from a commerce graduate to an MBA student travelling the globe, growth frequently begins with letting go of the past. Whether addressing issues in event logistics, solving financial challenges, or negotiating life in a strange place, the Songkran attitude encourages me to welcome rebirth with hope and force.

Recipe: Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)