The Hindu : New Delhi News : Towards a safe and colourful Holi

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Friday, Mar 21, 2008
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New Delhi

Towards a safe and colourful Holi

With the festival of colours due to be celebrated this Saturday, singer-composer Shibani Kashyap has appealed to Delhiites to play a safe Holi to avoid any accident or untoward incident.

Advocating a clean Holi at a press conference in the Capital on Thursday, Shibani said she associates the festival with sumptuous food and entertainment. “I have been celebrating this wonderful festival for the past two years. Earlier I used to dread Holi because of the chemical colours used. On this day, I eat ‘ghujiya’. This Holi I will be performing in Mumbai along with other artistes. Before venturing out, I will rub my face and body with coconut oil and cover my head with a bandana and wear dark goggles.”

Use organic colours

Shibani said Holi must be played with organic and herbal colours. “It is a beautiful festival. Don’t spoil the fun by sprinkling muddy water or throwing water balloons at people. Holi should not end up in violence or eve teasing,” she added.

No to water balloons

Dr. A. K. Grover of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital urged Holi revellers to play the festival without water balloons. “Eyes are the most sensitive part of the body and must be taken care of during the festival. Every Holi our hospital receives over half a dozen patients with eye injuries. Hospitals in Delhi receive about 150 patients with eyes injuries caused by water balloons. Of them, nearly 50 get partially blind. So balloons can cause loss of vision and must be avoided. If colour comes into contact with the eye, one must immediately wash it with water and if irritation persists medical aid must be sought.” The conference was organised by the Heart Care Foundation of India and was presided over by its president, Dr. K. K. Aggarwal.

Madhur Tankha

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