'I never liked loud crackers'

It's 'family first' for actress Neha Dhupia as she plans to catch up with friends and family this Diwali.
Diwali for me is total celebration time. It symbolises a year gone by and the starting of all good things to come. It also means: 'stop all work' as it's time to enjoy and be with your family.
What I love about Diwali? I love the lights and the fact that there is no restrictions on eating sweets during this festival.I love to gorge on all kinds of sweets.
My most memorable Diwali was when I was in school. My father used to teach me how to burst crackers and I used to stand with my eyes shut tightly, scared of all the noise. I never liked loud crackers whereas my brother and father used to burst those. I love phooljhadi, for it is the most beautiful and safe cracker.
This year I am planning to celebrate the festival of lights with my family. It will be after a very long time that we as family would be coming together. My parents are flying in from Delhi and my brother is coming in from Dubai. Other than that my uncle and aunt are also visiting me for Diwali. So it is going to be a total family celebration for me.
I feel most strongly about the amount of money that is blown up in bursting crackers. Instead youngsters should put that money aside and use it for a better cause. Diwali should be a festival of only lights.