City denizens are bursting crackers with vengeance even two days after Diwali as heavy rain spoiled the celebrations on Thursday. The festivities too have changes over the years and OdishaBytes caught up with a few celebrities to know their childhood memories about the festival of light.
Anu Choudhury: I prefer to spend Diwali with my family. It is for the first time that I am away in Mumbai. During my school days, fire from a cracker (hathachakri) fell on my neck and I ran into my room without telling anyone about it. It was a frightening experience, but I continue to light Phuljhari even today.
Akash Das Nayak: I would go bang, bang, bang with crackers during school days. I soon realised the harm it caused the environment. For the last 10 years, I have been celebrating Diwali with differently-abled children. I find happiness by spending some time with them.
Jyoti Ranjan Nayak: I was very mischievous as a kid. Once I tied a cracker on the tail of a bull. It kicked me and I fell on the ground. Those were happy-go-lucky days. For the last two years my films are getting released during Diwali, which makes the festival all the more special.