Bhubaneswar, Oct. 25: The capital is getting ready for Diwali with firecrackers, sweets, gifts and grand plans for family gatherings. Amidst the festive fervour, several youngsters have decided to spread cheer by reaching out to the less fortunate.

Anwesha Ambaly, a student of BJB (Autonomous) College, has invited her maid’s children and some other kids from a nearby slum to her house tomorrow.

“I have spent my entire pocket money for buying chocolates, sweets and crackers for the kids. They would come to my house tomorrow, burst crackers and have fun,” said 20-year-old Anwesha.

Student volunteers have also decided to celebrate the day by bringing a smile on the faces of orphaned and abandoned children. The volunteers of We4You group have organised day-long celebrations for the kids at Anand Mission Foster Home in the city.

“Events like blowing balloons, jump-and-eat chocolates, musical chair, cricket matches and painting competitions would be conducted during the day. In the evening, we would burst crackers,” said Abhay Mohanta, a We4You member.

Members of Uddan Odisha, a voluntary organisation established by college students, have already started visiting orphanages to spread happiness.

“As a child, I have always celebrated Diwali with my friends and cousins, lighting lamps, relishing sweets and watching fireworks light up the night sky. That is the kind of experience every child deserves. So, we are taking the festival to them,” said Uday Kumar Sahoo, a volunteer and former student of C.V. Raman College of Engineering.

Biswajit Dash, a student of KIIT University, said he would not burst firecrackers. Along with his school friends, he would visit a slum in Laxmisagar and gift sweets and storybooks to the children.

Youth volunteers of Bakul Foundation are collecting study materials for the children in flood-affected areas.

“I had collected some money from my hostel mates and bought notebooks, pencils and crayons. The other volunteers are also mobilising people to donate books and other stuff so that the victims of floods will have something to cheer about this Diwali. We would distribute these things among 2,700 children in Gop block of Puri post-Diwali,” said Rupali Mishra, a student of College of Engineering, Bhubaneswar, and a volunteer of Bakul.

Raj, another student of BJB (Autonomous) College, said he would spend the day at an old-age home.

“I would light lamps and read out stories to them. A small gesture makes a lot of difference,” he said, adding that he would return home in the evening and make sure that the stray dogs in his neighbourhood are safe.

“There are many puppies that need to be looked after and I have created a small space in our garage to keep them safe from the noise and accidents,” he said.