The festival of colours, Holi, is here. It doesn't just signify the victory of good over evil, but also marks the onset of spring after winter. Some people wait the whole year to celebrate this festival, not just for the colours but also to gorge on some yummy delicacies.
This is one festival which is celebrated amongst all ages with the same enthusiasm and energy. However, last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people all around the globe, couldn't celebrate the festival with the same zeal and vigour. And this year, looking at the increase in the COVID-19 cases, the government has put restrictions on playing Holi. We spoke to a few celebrities about their Holi plans this year, and this is what they had to say:
Kavitta Verma:
We all look forward to this time of the year but last and this one too things have been different because of the pandemic. Nothing is important than our lives. This year I won't celebrate as I lost my dad. I might just listen to some music on that day. While I enjoy playing with colours but I get scared too because during this time some people, even some of my friends go bad. They become insensitive and put colours on even those who don’t want to play much with colours. But still, these people would force them to play. It has happened with me as well. And then these people will try to justify their action by ‘Bura na mano, Holi hai’. These people don’t understand the spirit of the festival. Holi as a festival encourages love and friendship between people. We need to understand that.
Chandni Soni
I think the need of the hour is to stay indoors and avoid gathering. With the increase in the number of cases it’s evident that this pandemic is not going to end till we take strict precautions. So I intend to celebrate Holi this year at home with my family. I will make gujiya and other sweets. My daughter Nandini makes organic colours using flowers. We will play with those colours and pray to god that the pandemic ends soon.
Saurabh Kaushik
I went to my hometown to meet my parents during Holi last year to spend time with them. There will be no Holi parties this year because of the Covid-19 situation. If I get 1-2 days off I’ll go to my hometown this year too. If not then I’ll stay home and chill. I might celebrate the day with the few friends I have. My crazy Holi memory dates back to two-three years when I went to my hometown after long played Holi. The amazing response around my show Jijaji Chhat Per Hain led to many people knowing me and happy that I am back in town to celebrate the festival with them. Many were waiting for me with colours and by the time I reached home I was unrecognizable.
Amit Mishra
This year we are not celebrating Holi because my Dad’s elder brother, my Tau ji died recently. My favourite memory of holi is getting drenched in the mixture of mud, water and colour along with my family and friends. Tearing clothes and making ourselves look scary and unrecognisable by the end of the day.
Piew Jana:
I am not against Holi, but I am against the way it is celebrated. You can play all you want, just don’t force me into it. Originally, Holi was celebrated with natural colours, made from flowers. What we have now are synthetic colours that even contain hazardous chemicals. A test revealed heavy metal content in Holi colours which is harmful for our skin and hair. These colours cling on to the skin for as long as fifteen days. I actually love to celebrate Holi with my family and enjoy in house party, which is the right thing to do this time amid the pandemic.
Munisha Khatwani:
With the present pandemic situation, there is no Holi celebration this year, so I don’t have any fixed plans. I might just catch up with a few friends and chill over lunch. My best Holi memory definitely has to be the party that happened two years ago where I was with the entire TV gang and we had a great time playing with colours, eating and drinking and of course dancing like there’s no tomorrow. I also remember the fun we had during the Holi special rain dance. Though that isn’t the right thing to do now when we should save water, I must admit that we all had a great time because I am anyway a water baby.
Aarvika Gupta:
Holi is my favourite festival. I’ve never missed out on the fun even during my 12th Boards examination. But last year I couldn’t play the way I am used to and this year too will be some. I will be putting colours on my family members for shagun and it would be just that apart from puja and eating good food. We have to understand the coronavirus situation and act accordingly. Jaan hai to jahan hai. But yes I miss my Holi celebrates during childhood, when there was no boundaries, no time limits. Now we are concerned about our hair, skin, chemical colours etc. My best Holi memory was in college. Our seniors once asked us to play Holi with gobar (cow dung) and mud. That was not like ragging, it was fun, though the gobar part was not interesting at all. I always miss that Holi. I always like to celebrate every festival with family and friends. I love to distribute gulal and sweets to street kids, but this time I might distribute sweet by following precautions.
Rohit Choudhary
Last year also we were not able to celebrate Holi and this year too we’ll not celebrate the festival. Agar jaan hai to jahan hai, so now when the pandemic is still there and cases are on the rise in India, let’s all come together and follow all safety measures. Maintain social distancing, wearing mask and sanitise as much as possible. It’s better to celebrate safe Holi at home with friends and family and not step out unless necessary. Eat, drink and have fun in the confines of your abode. If we are good enough this year then 2022 onwards things will be good like the earlier times.
