The festival of lights is just a day away, and we’d like to take the opportunity to wish all our readers a happy, prosperous and safe Diwali! Speaking to DC, a few celebrities, too, would like to wish you the same, and share what they love most about the festival:
Ritu Varma, Actress
Since childhood, Diwali has been my favourite festival. I was always fascinated by the diyas, flower decorations, rangolis and lights. My fondest memories of Diwali would be helping my parents decorate the house with flowers and lights. We would shop for new clothes and sweets for family and friends.
My appeal to people this Diwali would be to limit the burning of crackers, and to be sensitive towards the environment, people and animals. Diwali is about the victory of good, so spread peace and happiness. Be safe and have a bright, beautiful and healthy Diwali.
Gaurang Shah
Gaurang Shah, Fashion designer
Diwali at our home begins with the joy of lighting diyas and offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity with family members at home and in our store with staff. For me it is a moment to feast on sweets and indulge in Gujarati traditional food. I go on a khandvi and gugra sweet diet.
Lakshmipathy Balaji
Lakshmipathy Balaji, National cricketer
The best part about Diwali, I feel, is that it is not celebrated by only Hindus, but people from every religion embrace it. I also look forward to this day, every year for one main reason — sweets. I’d like to burst fewer crackers without disturbing others, and will have a good meal with my family.
Y.S. Chowdary
Y.S. Chowdary, Minister of State, Government of India
Diwali is the most special festival for my family and me since childhood. It used to begin with my sister, my brothers and me taking blessings from my parents, and it has remained unchanged till today. The entire family — siblings and theirs spouses, nieces and nephews, daughter and son, and the little ones — join in for the puja and have dinner together. Then diyas and crackers are burst.
I love the traditional Andhra sweets, the favorite being Jelabi and Coconut Barfi. Sharing happiness is essential to the spirit of Diwali. We buy sweet boxes and crackers and go to three different places to celebrate it; with underprivileged people, with children and older citizens.
Their smiles and joy makes a big difference to us. Environmental concerns have changed our style of Diwali — we are now more silent. We just arrange lights and diyas. But in the olden days, as a youngster I would burst many big and loud crackers!
I use the occasion to wish all people a very happy Diwali. I also convey my special wishes to the readers of Deccan Chronicle.
Ritu Dalmia
Ritu Dalmia, Chef
For our favourite Diva chef Ritu Dalmia, “Diwali is about puja time, so all the diva family members gather together and performs the puja, followed by a breakfast that we sit down and enjoy. This has been a tradition forever.” The chef-restaurateur-and-author’s Diwali day treat is the Badam halwa. While praying to goddess Lakshmi, “I have always asked for peace of mind more than any other thing,” says Dalmia.
A.D. Singh, Restaurateur
A.D. Singh, Restaurateur
The one tradition that of this festival that Restaurateur A.D. Singh always celebrates is “the Puja and of course festoon the house with lights,” says Singh. On Diwali day, his family enjoys a customary treat of Suji ka Halwa. Besides prosperity, the man behind the Olive brands of restaurants across the country prays for “my daughter’s safety and wellbeing,” smiles Singh.
Readers’ response
We had asked readers if firecrackers should be burst this Diwali or must be done away with
Festival of lights
Firecrackers shouldn’t be burst for the sake of humanity and environment. Diwali is a festival of lights and not of noise and air pollution. It could be a tradition but one must also understand its consequences. Festivals can be fun but must also help humanity. However, it may take sometime for people to completely do away with crackers.— Syeda Sahar
One day won’t make a difference
Diwali comes once in a year. Family members come together, decorate their house, make rangolis, perform Lakshmi puja and burst crackers. All this is a part of our tradition. Lord Ram came back to Ayodhya on this day, and we can’t stop bursting crackers at once. Pollution happens every day, not only on Diwali.— D. Manoj Kumar
— With inputs from Nasrin Modak and Balajee C.R
Venue courtesy:
Kamini Saraf
Ritu Varma:
Stylist: Bobby Kandhari
Wardrobe: Angasutra
Makeup and hair: Shilpa Srihari, I Adore Spa And Salon For Women
Vijay Devarakonda
Stylist: Shravya Varma
Wardrobe: Anitha Reddy
