Good news for us over here in Bangalore, there will be no layoffs this week due to Diwali on Wednesday. It would offend many people to be cut on this important occasion. Cisco might face major lawsuits for religious discrimination. Imagine layoffs in the US or UK happening during X-mas week, how would those folks impacted feel? The public backlash would be unfathomable.
If you are in BGL and got a 1:1 invite for today or anytime this week, decline it politely. Tell your manager, you don't do 1:1 during Diwali week.