Lina and Aruna Solanki are sisters-in-law who both work in the Sterile Services here at CUH. Lina is a training coordinator and Aruna works as a team leader. We talked to them as part of our Diwali celebrations.
Today we are celebrating Diwali at CUH. What is Diwali?
Worldwide, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs celebrate Diwali—a five-day festival. The Sanskrit term "Deepavali," which means "row of lights," is the origin of the name. The celebration typically symbolises new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge replacing ignorance, and the victory of righteousness. Due to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, the date varies every year, occurring in the autumn between October and November. In India, there are variations in rituals between states.
What does Diwali mean personally to you?
To us, we celebrate Diwali more as a cultural festival than a religious one. With our large family in Cambridge, we turn it into a family occasion each year. This festival holds numerous cherished memories for us. In India, the entire town comes alive with vibrancy and colour. Rangoli, meaning "rows of colours," is painted on the entrances of homes and courtyards, symbolising a warm welcome for guests and the Holy Spirit to bring joy into our homes. Our celebrations also include preparing a variety of foods, from sweets and savouries to elaborate meals. Throughout all five days, we dress up and gather with friends and family, making the festivities truly special.
How will you be celebrating?
Our whole family will gather on Sunday and everyone will be dressed in Indian attire. The home will be decorated with divas (candles). We will all sit down and eat good food together, exchange gifts and finish the night with some fireworks. In the morning our elders will perform a puja - this the ceremonial ritual we do to pray our deity with the offering of light, flowers, water and fruits or food.
Although it is a 5 day festival, we usually only celebrate one day here in England.
What is your role in our hospitals?
Lina; “I work in sterile services as a training coordinator.”
Aruna; “I work in sterile services as a team leader.”
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at CUH?
Lina says; I really enjoy teaching what I know and assisting all staff. The opportunity to mentor and assist new people is very fulfilling. I always teach new team members the importance of our role even though we don’t have direct contact with patients.
Aruna says ; I enjoy sorting out problems and finding solutions to queries as they arise in my day to day job and like being part of the team in Sterile services.
Could you tell us about your CUH journey?
Aruna says; I joined CUH 38 years ago as a technical staff member and I have been a team leader for the last 20 years.
Lina says; I joined CUH 25 years ago as a technical staff member on a part time basis and I been a training coordinator for last 3 years.
What does a usual day look like?
Aruna says; my usual day is about making sure that all my team members are performing the task they have been assigned to do and ensure the department is running smoothly. Liaising with theatres and clinics within the hospital and supporting outside customers with their requirements. I also make sure that all theatre lists are provided with all the equipment they need.
Lina says; my day to day activities vary, my main role is to assist new staff starting in sterile services and to arrange training in all areas of the department. I also arrange training opportunities with the companies which manufacture and provide our instruments. I help to reach and maintain the competency of staff in the department.
How do you feel your role benefits our patients?
Our roles are not directly linked with the patients but every patient that comes into the hospital to have a minor or major surgery will be using the instruments our department processes. We work to ensure that we can deliver instruments in a timely efficient manner with high standards to keep the hospital operations running and to work alongside the rest of the trust to continue saving lives.