| COVER STORY
The Rathi Family 1. What is the most memorable Diwali till date? So one year my birthday coincided with diwali. This was when I was a kid. I felt like everyone was celebrating my day and every cracker was being burst for me and all the sweets were made in my honor. Somehow I was fully convinced everyone knew it's my birthday and everyone who came to visit us just had to know! 2. What is your Ootn/ Ootd for the day? So it's the one day of the year I love wearing a saree. Since the pandemic we have really forgotten to dress up. I am a big fan of silks and traditional sarees. Il be raiding my mom's closet for something vibrant! 3. What is the most loveable thing about Diwali? The fact that it's seen as a new beginning. The house is painstakingly cleaned, there are new clothes, there's just revelry in the air and everything looks so bright and promising. Oh, I also love all the get togethers as all my cousins come down and then we plan to make the maximum of diwali. 4. What is your favourite fire cracker? I love flower pots and chakris. As a child I loved anything loud and personally indulged in many hydrogen bombs but over time I have understood the effects of it on nature, sound and animals and now consciously avoid bursting them. 5. How is a typical day like at the Rathi household? A typical day in the *Rathi* household starts with cleaning the entire home and putting lime paste & mud to decorate the home. Then we proceed to more elaborate rangoli. We also wash all our silver coins together and then set up the puja area. We wear new clothes, call & wish everyone , have a pandit come over to do the pooja. Post that it's all about crackers, treats , cards and clicking pictures!
6. What according to you are the best places to shop for Diwali outfits? I love how every designer in india takes out their best pieces around Diwali. You are totally spoilt for choice. Brands like Aza, Diwali exhibitions and Instagram are some of my go to places to shop! 7. Are Diwali celebrations going to be any different due to the pandemic? So this is the first Diwali I'm not celebrating at home. We have decided to go Kalimpong to enjoy lesser crowds, cold weather, steaming hot momos and adventure sports like river rafting and trekking. 50 NOVEMBER, 2021 TULIP
