Go out and have all the fun you kept bottled in the last couple of years. Just stay safe!
After two years of continuing scare of the novel Coronavirus, and having lost at least a few near and dear ones in the interim, this year marks the semblance of a return to the “normal, buoyant” Holi spirit. People are finally preparing in full gear to freely celebrate the festival of colours with their family, friends and loved ones. Of course, count in the toddlers who were maybe five or seven years old in 2020 when the normal life behaviour, as we had known until then, was snatched away all of a sudden. They spent most of their time in the next couple of years cooped inside their homes, away from friends, schools and other social contacts. Now they, as almost everybody else cutting across age brackets and geographical boundaries, are enthusiastically awaiting the day of the traditional arrival of spring, which is today. We shall not use these hallowed columns to pontificate or spout forth the routine police advisories or details found in medical brochures on the dos and don’ts on Holi. But it’s pertinent to mention how people are having fun online and on social media platforms too with interesting memes and tweets.
Among the jokes and memes, several police departments have inserted their posts to spread awareness against drunk driving, celebrating with firearms, hooliganism and harassment. Using a still from the film Bhool Bhulaiyaa, the Delhi Police has captioned it: “#Holi par sadak suraksha mein koi Bhool (Bhulaiyaa) nahi honi chahiye! #DriveSafe #RoadSafety.” The police of UP, Himachal and Rajasthan have also cautioned people against breaking laws. In a happy turn of events, wholesale and retail shopkeepers are reporting good sales as crowds are thronging marketplaces to stock up on gulaal and arming themselves with balloons and pichkaaris. Even T-shirts with funky Holi messages are a rage among collegiates and other youth. It’s alright to have all the fun while you can. Just a word of caution, though, before you get drowned into colours or start feasting on gujhiyas, pakoras and thandai. Please do take adequate safeguards and precautions; it’s not like the virus is on holiday leave just because it’s the festival of colours. After all, it’s the season of new beginnings, a new harvest, a new moon and a new zeal for life and love. May you be showered with all of these and a lot of happiness. Happy Holi!
