Given the Covid year that has gone by and Covid’s worrisome resurgence, we should be more careful about how we choose to celebrate the Holi festival and try to avoid visits to loved ones as a precaution. Great food, family get-togethers, exchanging gifts, and a riot of colours—what’s not to like about Holi? While sharing gifts with loved ones does not require any occasion, the festival of colours is certainly an inspiration to make the occasion cheerful and full of warmth.
Unfortunately, the corona threat has taken a toll on the Holi celebrations this year. To maintain a distance from the infectious virus, most of the saner element of society are preferring to stay indoors and avoiding to be a part of any mass gathering. As a result, various Holi events have been called off those otherwise help organisers make enough money.
In the wake of the spread of the virus, the Health Department of J&K UT too has urged people to celebrate the festival with precautions. In an advisory and public message, it is called upon people to avoid large gatherings during the celebrations in view of the emerging scenario of Covid-19. It was recommended that big events attracting large gatherings must be avoided till the time it subsides. People should avoid visiting crowded places, rain Holi or water sports, adding that people must try to avoid celebrating Holi, if possible.
It is further imperative on us that any person with a travel history to any Covid-19 affected country or those who have come in contact with any affected persons in the past 14 days, should strictly avoid playing Holi as the infection could easily be passed by doing so.
Though auspicious Holi is supposed to be a festival of colours, but the way the unsuspecting passersby are discoloured with toxic dyes and filth renders it as an unholy affair. This dirty display of drugs or frenzied gangs forcing unwilling people to run helter-skelter to escape their assaults in the name of Holi must be banned. The members of the community well acquainted, who want to celebrate Holi, in the real spirit of colours, should be confined to certain areas/parks in a small number, along with the willing partners so that others are not offended or subjected to inconvenience.
Drunken driving during such festivals has become a fashion. Our sisters and daughters cannot walk freely on the road. The younger people think they can buy the law with money or by their influence. Jammu is a beautiful city because of amicable social and community relations among the people and if anyone breaks the rules then he must be punished.
The only way to play a safe Holi is preferably to keep indoors as the world outside goes crazy with colours. A favourite for many reasons, by now everyone has stocked up the Holi essentials, including colours, pichkaris, thandai and gujiya. As the spirits run wild, here are some pointers for the day.
Avoid Holi celebrations in huge gatherings; Abstain from water sports; Use only organic colours; Don’t touch others’ eyes, mouth and nose; Don’t shake hands; hug or physically touch anyone; Protect your eyes and skin
Fun aside, Holi can be harsh on the skin if you let people go wild with colours. Make sure you enjoy the festival without screaming in horror the next day. Allergies, rashes, skin irritations and hair damage are common problems post Holi because of the chemical-laden colours. Keep your skin moisturised before playing with colours. Apply a lot of oil on your hair and try to avoid the sun. Do not let the colours into the eyes, mouth or other sensitive spots on your skin. Most importantly try organic or natural colours. Go green. Keep the Virus at Bay. This Holi stay Home and Celebrate with your family
