For actor Nimrat Kaur, Diwali embodies the warmth of home and the essence of Delhi. “From childhood, my association with Diwali has always been about being home — surrounded by my maa, my nani and if my sister is free, her as well. There is no Diwali for me without being at home,” Kaur says, adding, “I’d never want to celebrate Diwali away from home.”

When asked how her family celebrates the festival of lights, Kaur describes it as a “simple affair” at home. The festivities kick off with pre-Diwali shopping, the house is beautifully adorned and everyone dresses to impress.

“After lighting all the candles and diyas post-puja and having an early dinner, we usually take a drive to see how other homes are decorated,” she says.

Regarding outfits, Kaur shares, “My mum always says, ‘Sohni tarah tayyar hona hai’. She insists that I wear something she approves of since we take family photos to share with friends.”

Her favourite Diwali tradition? “I love making rangoli... Everyone looks forward to my creations,” she says, adding, “Another cherished tradition is my nani ji making gud ke chawal. At almost 90, she still maintains the traditions.”

Reflecting on her childhood celebrations, Kaur, whose father, Major Bhupinder Singh, SC, served in the Army, says, “Growing up in cantonments, our Diwali was quite simple... My dad would buy crackers for us. It used to be a low-key yet sweet celebration.”

On the 72nd birth anniversary of Major Bhupinder Singh, SC, Nimrat Kaur attended the unveiling ceremony of his bronze statue in his birthplace, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. “It’s a memorial that honours 12 other martyrs, and it’s named after my dad. This Diwali is extra special for that reason. It’s a really important life event for us. We’ve been dreaming of this for the last three decades — doing something in his birthplace,” she tells us.

Major Singh was abducted by state enemies on January 17, 1994 and martyred on January 23, 1994. He was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra on March 13, 1994 — a date that coincidentally falls on Kaur’s birthday.