Articles by Lakshana N Palat

Technology

Diwali plans flopped? 8 ways to turn it into a win

Sigh. It stings. That last message saying ‘So sorry….’ really makes you gnash your teeth. After all, you spent weeks designing invites, thinking of playlists, looking at fairy lights in markets and building sweet towers. But, everyone bailed.I can tell you from rather brutal experience, that yes, you do overcome the misery of it all. After you allow yourself to wallow in a little sadness, you start looking around for lights and finding joy. (I’m not going to lecture you about life’s little things, I know some of you will throw slippers at me). But what I tried to do on one particular Diwali when people had to cancel…was, celebrate anyway.You love the festival. You go for it. .Biggest Diwali makeup blunders revealed and how to get festive glow that works in Dubai weather.Step 1: Go back to focusing on turning your home into a fairylandWho says your apartment can’t be a palace? Light all the diyas you bought, string up fairy lights, and scatter candles around like confetti. Bonus points for glitter—because if it’s Diwali, sparkle is mandatory. Your home is stunning, and Instagram will never forgive you if you don’t document it..Step 2: How about a little cooking?It was my first and only attempt at kheer, but I managed. So, if you have a ladoo mix you bought with dreams of impressing everyone, or that half-baked gulab jamun that didn’t make it to the party, it’s Time to go rogue. Try a new recipe, or just perfect the old one. Extra syrup, extra cardamom, all yours.Test responsibly, obviously. And if your culinary experiments fail? Well… more for you..Step 3: A dance partyDance solo or grab that one person who is still willing to make the distance. Bollywood bangers, bhangra beats, and a little Desi pop—crank it up. Nobody’s judging your shimmy, your freestyle spins, or the dramatic “slow-mo dance walk across the living room” moment.Step 4: Dress up, even if it’s just for youWearing that eyeliner, dotting the bindi and lining your lips really makes a difference. Drape that saree, lehenga or kurta that you bought for the party. Now’s your moment. Just because it’s solo doesn’t mean you can’t feel fabulous. Pair it with bold earrings, a glittery bindi, and maybe a hint of perfume..Step 5: Movie timeIf music isn’t enough, it’s time for a movie binge. From Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham to quirky Diwali specials, your living room is now a cinema. Dim the lights (or don’t—your fairy lights do the job), grab your plate of sweets, and settle in. Bonus points for commentary: whisper dramatic dialogues to your snacks for full immersive fun.Step 6: Connect virtuallyTechnology exists for a reason. Zoom your friends for a mini celebration, start a WhatsApp Diwali group, or FaceTime a relative. Light a candle together, exchange quick laughs, or even compete in a “best outfit” contest. The energy multiplies, even if the room is technically empty.. Step 7: Reflect and rechargeDiwali is also about light in your soul, not just in your home. Light a diya, sip chai, reflect on the year, and maybe jot down some intentions for the next one. Treat it as a day to recharge, because celebrating yourself is never a bad idea.Step 8: Remember, solo doesn’t mean sadAnd if you're alone, it doesn't mean lonely. Diwali is about joy, celebration, and best food—whether shared with twenty friends or just yourself. The sweets are sweeter when you truly savor them, the lights shine brighter when you appreciate them quietly, and the music is louder when you belt out those Bollywood hits with abandon.So yes, your Diwali party may have been canceled. But with the right mindset, a sprinkle of creativity, and a touch of sass, it can turn out to be your most memorable festival yet. After all, why wait for others to bring the party when you’re perfectly capable of throwing it yourself?.Diwali 2025 in the UAE: How to glam up your bash without the bills, tips from the experts .Diwali 2025 fireworks in Dubai: Locations, timings for Indian Festival of Lights revealed.7 best Diwali lights and lanterns for UAE homes 2025: Battery, plug-in and solar picks

Technology

Anupamaa cast hits out at Smriti Irani for dismissing them as competition: 'Not expected from you'

Smriti Irani’s recent remarks about television ratings have stirred reactions from the cast of Anupamaa. In an interview, Irani, who leads Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, stated she does not consider the current hit as competition. “I don’t (look at them as competition). We were there 25 years ago. If you have the capacity to be remembered for 25 years, then we will talk about competition,” she told India Today..Smriti Irani is 'iconic as ever': Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot premiere sparks waves of nostalgia .She further added, "If you have been a three-time MP, a cabinet minister for a decade, a BJP person for 25 years - if you want to compete, you have to be fair to everybody in the so-called competitive sphere. You can't have somebody who's just started something and say, 'Compete with Smriti Irani'." Her remarks about her show’s dominance continued: “The competition or even referring to such a competition is unfair, because you'll never get to 30. And you'll never be consistently number one for eight years, which we were. The fact that we've had competitive mediums, and yet managed to come back after 25 years — that's remarkable.”.Her remarks did not sit well with several Anupamaa actors, who took to social media to express disappointment. Alpana Buch, who plays Baa, wrote, “Honourable Smriti ji, this was not expected from you,” while Milloni Kapadia added, “Breaks my heart to see our love not getting reciprocated.” Jaswir Kaur questioned the comparison itself: “One was the most famous show 25 years ago… one is the current show since 5 years… Yes, there is no comparison yet getting compared... hhhhhmmmm.”Shiwani Chakraborty echoed the sentiment, noting, “True, and it’s not always about YEARS, it’s about how much a new thing in television doing wonders… much love for Anupamaa.” Krutika Desai defended the team further, saying, “The show & @rupaliganguly ji hasn’t just started something! Let’s have a healthy competition & uplift the show without demeaning the artist.”The two serials remain neck-and-neck in recent TRP rankings. In week 40, Anupamaa scored 2.3, just ahead of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 at 2.2. Zalak Desai, who plays Khyati Patel Kothari, emphasised, “‘Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai’ was a great show, did come back and is still remembered. Truly, there is no comparison here! The numbers speak for themselves.”.5 K-Drama dream pairings that fans deserve in 2025: Lee Jun-ho, Shin Min-a to Kim Seon-ho and Seo Yea-ji.6 iconic Hindi serial couples who once ruled Indian TV: From Kutumb to Kumkum .Zee TV's longest-running show Kumkum Bhagya to end after 11 years: Inside the ratings slump and final cast .6 longest-running Hindi shows with over 15 years on air: CID to Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai