Diwali fills you with so much positive energy: Flora Saini

'Stree' actor Flora Saini loves Diwali for it being the festival of lights. "It is not only our home that we decorate with lights but you see everywhere beautifully lit buildings and surroundings. Diwali fills you with so much of positive energy. Now a days the kind of lights available is really amazing. I make it a point to light every corner of my house with these lights," says the actress who was in Varanasi a few days ago.
Not a very pro cracker person, Flora says, "Even as a child I used to just light a few sparklers. Later we had four dogs at home so Diwali meant keeping away from crackers as our pets used to be really scared. We used to keep all the doors of our house closed so that minimum noise could reach them. This used to begin a few days before the Diwali and would continue post- festival as well since people continue to burst crackers even once the festival is over. As a child, to me, Diwali also meant chhutti from school, and we also used to visit our nana and nani. The exchange of mithai was also an interesting part of the festival. My mother used to send me to our acquaintances in the neighbourhood with mithai and other goodies and they in turn used to give us Diwali goodies. I used to be really excited as to what gifts we have received. So it was really fun," she remembers with a laugh.
Flora Saini (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)
The Begum Jaan actress believes that as you grow up the perception of the festival changes. “Diwali is the time to clean the clutter. Recently on one of my off - days I took out time to clean my wardrobe. I didn’t know I had so many clothes which I had not worn for a long time and the same goes for shoes. At times you are in dilemma whether you want to keep them or shun them as they are all in good shape. But this time I decided to give them to people who are really in need of them. I plan to visit an orphanage or an old age home to give away my things this Diwali,” she declares.
Flora Saini at a local market in Maldahiya area of Varanasi (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)
Flora, who happened to visit Banaras thrice this year, says the place is really ethereal. “During my earlier visits, I got the chance to go to the ghats and enjoy the rising sun. Soaking in the spirituality around me it was sheer bliss to be on the ghat. It is the Banarasi food as well which I have relished during all my visits. Samosas, the famed lassi and of course the Banarasi paan that I really loved the most. This time round I also checked on some of the Banarasi stuff and I should say that Banarasi saris are so very beautiful,” she says. Flora also went to a local jewellers to shop for some jewellery for Dhanteras. “I’m very fond of chunky earrings, so I picked up a very beautiful one for Dhanteras from a local jeweller. I also shopped for Banarasi saris,” she informs.