ENJOY HOLI BUT WITHOUT ADULTERATED COLOURS, HOOLIGANISM, BITTERNESS

When you start witnessing water-filled balloons being thrown at pedestrians or become a victim to mischievous children hiding in their balconies, you know that Holi is around.

There is no doubt that it is one of the most significant Indian festivals, but over the years it has arguably turned into a festival of hooliganism, with women and the elderly being targeted the most in the name of Holi celebrations.

While smearing colours on others or even splashing water at them on the festival of colours is not a problem; it is a whole other thing when harmless colours are replaced by soot, mud and other harmful chemical and oil mixed colours, because these can be quite harmful to our skin. Mud and dirty water being flung at passers-by arouses irritation and anger, leading to quarrels and fights.

Festive spirit should be about spreading cheer. But what happens is often contradictory, as even when at get-togethers such as Holi-Milan, we avoid meeting those we’ve had a fallout with. But aren’t festivals about making up? Holika-Dahan (or Holika burning) may symbolise the burning of differences, and the subsequent Holi celebration, our rapprochement.

Also, beware of the ill-practice around this time of the year — adulteration in colours and sweets. No one wants to face the nasty after effects, right?