India, Sept. 22 -- A fter spending over a decade in the UK, actor Niki Walia is back in India, celebrating Ganeshotsav with family and friends. Best known for her work in shows Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani and Baat Ban Jaye, she says being home for the festival this year has brought back memories of childhood celebrations. "My sister and I got home an eco-friendly Ganpati idol, and it is an incredible feeling to be back. It felt just like those days when we would decorate each and every corner of our house to welcome Bappa home," she shares. It is this festive spirit that she missed while living in the UK. She says, "We never brought Ganpati home in the UK as it is difficult to follow the visarjan process there. Instead, I used to perform the puja in my temple at home. It cannot be compared to Mumbai because here it's a completely different vibe." For the 53-year-old, this year's celebrations have also been special because she has been able to reconnect with friends. "After years, I followed the ritual of visiting friends' houses and having them come to our home for festivities. Purane din yaad aa gaye, doston ke ghar jaana, khana peena aur woh dhol-tasho ki awaaz," she says. It's not just the festive atmosphere that she missed, but the food as well. "I missed eating modaks, samosas, chana poori, aloo ki sabzi and poori, to name a few!" she ends....