It’s not high stakes, but camaraderie that’s on the cards at a Diwali bashSometimes honey, it’s not only about the money! While playing cards may be an integral and ‘auspicious’ part of most pre-Diwali bashes, the party’s true essence is celebrating the festivity and joy with friends. Laughter, chatter, good food, games.every night is a celebration of fun and friendship. A tradition is how most choose to call their parties, a must-do, year after year. Diwali is a time to reconnect, let your hair down and be in the company of people you love, smiles Rachna Mehra, who runs a coaching centre and makes sure each Diwali get-together is an affair to remember. “We always say that if you play cards, you invite Laxmi to your home. So for us, it’s all about having a carefree time together and not winning or losing, the idea being to be together in this festive mood,” the 12-15 of them set aside a kitty after every round for food and drinks, so that it all can ordered and no one has to cook. “There’s nothing flashy or formal about the bash and the party just gets better with time,” adds the lady. “Cards are only an excuse to meet up,’’ Jaideep Sekhon, a company executive makes sure the plan is in place two weeks before Diwali and at least, three hours starting 9 pm are reserved for the group. Many in Sekhon’s close-knit group don’t play cards, but are always there for company. This, smiles Jaideep, is the time of the year when people are relaxed, don’t feel guilty about eating, sleeping late and simply relaxing. “And it’s such a great way to catch up on lost time and play on really small stakes, mostly calling in for food we all like,” says Sekhon.For more than 25 years, Preeti Gill and her comrades have been celebrating Diwali parties almost like a ritual, taking turns to hold the ‘event’, which everyone awaits every year. “It’s a tradition that even our children are carrying forward now,” Preeti says the parties are absolute mast affairs, with each one of them taking turns to host the party and cook a feast. “We have many non-playing friends, who make sure they cheer their favourite players,’’ Gill adds a surprise and fun element to every party .Supriya Singh, a banker, soon after Dusshera has afternoon parties every weekend and the venue remains her home. A potluck is what this gang of girls organizes and after the chatting session is over, there are games to be played and prizes to be won. “ We make sure we dress up, catch up for at least, three hours and play two serious games of flash and whoever wins the maximum has to treat too! “We just ask for chocolates,” smiles Supriya. Card sessions before Diwali is like a ceremony, which Akhil Bhanot, a property consultant and his friends have been attending since they were together in college, with many friends joining in for festivities from other cities! Many in the group have been together since school and this is the moment they bond and go down memory lane. “What’s more, our wives and children have formed their own bonds and it’s a huge family affair, one that lasts for more than four hours daily, some two weeks before the festival and we keep shifting venues, ordering or dishing out new cuisines,” Akhil gets ready to play!
