Feed poor, celebrate in unity: Bollywood celebs on Diwali

By Subhash K Jha

Mumbai, Oct 19 (IANS) Popular Bollywood celebrities like Lata Mangeshkar, Shatrughan Sinha, Asha Parekh and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have wished "Happy Diwali" to their fans and urged them to feed poor and celebrate the festival of lights in unity.

Here's what these celebs have said:

Lata Mangeshkar: This Diwali, I wish people would not spend money on firecrackers and lavish parties and instead give money to those who cannot afford a proper Diwali.

Shatrughan Sinha: To see every political party get together for one agenda, one goal, namely the empowerment of the poor -- this is my Diwali wish. I also want Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumarji to join hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for some serious progress and development in Bihar.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali: I pray for a tolerant more accommodating and inclusive India this Diwali. I pray for every Indian's right to think and say what he wants without fear or inhibition. Personally, I've lost someone close to me. So, I am not celebrating Diwali."

Hema Malini: Diwali is my favourite festival. It means being with my family, dressing up in beautiful new clothes, making rangoli and eating sweets. And there is no greater joy for me than spending time with my children and grandson. My elder daughter Esha is expecting her first child. So, this Diwali I wish a little Laxmi to come to our home. I wish not a single home in our country would go without light this Diwali.

Prasoon Joshi: Diwali gives us an opportunity to catch up with relationships which might not have got their fair share of light in the whole year so it's time to light up those less visited corners of your heart and life.

Asha Parekh: My Diwali spirit is dampened by the closure of my non-profit hospital for the poor. We tried to keep it going as long as we could. My concern for the healthcare of the poor is constantly preying on my mind. This Diwali I wish no financially challenged Indian would die due to medical neglect.

Khushboo: We have a very low key celebration as we lost a family member recently. But, we have always believed in bringing in more lights as I lit up my home and my interiors with lot of lights.