Holi also called as the “Rang Panchami” is the festival of colours. It is one such festival which is now being celebrated in unison by people of every caste and religion. It is celebrated for the celebration of good fertility of the land.
The myth runs as follows: The King (Hiranyakashipu) resents his son Prahlada worshipping Lord Vishnu. He attempts in several ways to kill his son but fails every time. Finally, the king's wicked sister Holika, who is said to be immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire in order to kill him. The prince Prahlada emerges unscathed, his aunt burns to death. The custom is followed even today as the huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi.
People of all the ages are free to play Holi. It rightly signifies the term, “Playing Holi”, as everyone in true sense has the little kid in them, play with the colors, water balloons etc.
Though, the festival might not be joyful to all. The other side of the coin also has to be considered. There were many reported cases in Delhi, like harassment against women. A teacher was the victim of eve teasing and a slap. There are people who take it as an advantage to touch women in the name the name of the innocent festival.
The other incidents like, colour poisoning, where in over 170 people, especially children were being hospitalized in Lokmanya Tilak hospital, Mumbai.
People also use greez and the paper mill colours, especially the pink and green colours which do not leave the skin for days together also making it allergic to the skin. It's no wonder seeing people on the next day with the pink ears and neck or even the nose. The succeeding days, are good to hold good memories of holi but not literally the remains of the colours which is harmful.
I remember a naughty kid, slightly on a heavier side, coming towards me with a fistful of red colour and smashing mercilessly on my mouth and saying, “Lipstick”! The awful taste of it makes me fear kids on Holi even today!
Richa, a pure vegetarian who usually said, “Yuk Yuk” hearing about non vegetarian was hit by eggs during Holi by few playful kids. The look on her face seemed like that of the mother who strives to drive away the lizard from the kitchen window. She ran behind them smashing tomatoes at them upholding her vegetarianism concepts.
Mr. Menon was a hardworking employee. As usual he went to the office and was drenched on the mid way with black coloured water balloons. It was sad when he was later commented by his wife, that he resembled that drenched crow after an unexpected rainfall.
As Holi is approaching near, we should also look into few of the important aspects which would help us enjoy the festival and also play it safely.
The children are more at risk and should always play under the supervision of an elder. I remember seeing a two year old baby, enthusiastically moving towards the water tank and toppling and falling into it. He got lucky enough to quickly get rescued on time.
Non-toxic colours or the gel based colours are the good options. We must make ourselves well prepared by applying oils as this will avoid the colours to stick on to the skin. The eyes are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of the colours. Also the mouth, as you don't want to end up tasting awful and harmful colours like I did. Do you?
Especially the children must be taught how to use the Pichkaaris and asked not to focus on the faces of the people. I wonder why the kids often focus their pichkaaris on the faces? On asking one such class 8 kid, I get the answer, “Because the look on the faces after being attacked is priceless, especially the girls who do make up even on Holi”.
Ban the water balloons. They may be fun to play with. But when hit on the person, it can cause injuries to skin eyes or ears.
Playing Holi among the group of known and close people is the best thing to do. Give no chance for accidents to take place. Precaution is always better than cure. Be safe, play safe because, “Your safety comes first”.
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