An unhappy mix in happy times
Tuesday 26 March 2013
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The festival of colours, Holi,
brings with it vibrancy and prosperity and the different colours blend together
for an epochal reorientation of life. This festival is of great significance to
the youth and the gujiya (an Indian
sweet) lovers. And why not? After all, it is the time to throw all barriers to
the winds, shun all the past grudges and embrace each other irrespective of one’s
gender, caste or creed. This festival is undoubtedly an occasion to strengthen one’s
bonds with others but the way this festival is being celebrated among the youth
today has overshadowed the true message and spirits it brings with it.
Even after so much public outrage over the recent gangrape
and subsequent murder of an innocent young girl in the Capital, it seems we
have failed to learn any lesson. In fact, for most of the errant young people, Holi is an opportunity to attack the
dignity of young females. In nearly every street, girls may be seen pleading
before these perverted brains to let them go freely to their destination. But who
cares? Throwing balloons, colours, rotten eggs and other filth on those passing
by has become a morbid craze for them. Be it schools, colleges, market place or
even outside the Metro stations, there is no security for females and young
children. Consequently, those who are unwilling are harasses by the unknown and
dragged into their ‘celebrations’.
No only this, the amount of fresh water that is wasted is
enormous. Even after being enlightened deeply about the water crisis our
country is facing, we fail to practice what we preach. One requires a lion’s
heart to see gallons and gallons of fresh water running sown the drains before
one’s own eyes. And the type of industrial chemicals that are being sold these
days as pucca rang (dark colours) add
to both air and water pollution, leave alone the harmful effects they have on
one’s skin.
Of late, it has been observed that there is a spurt in crimes
and anti-social activities like eve-teasing, molestation, road rage while
drunken driving et cetera during the day of Holi.
Why is the devil inside us trying to overpower the human in our soul?
The purpose of this article is not to dissuade anybody from
celebrating this festival. We should celebrate Holi with great enthusiasm and splendour. But at the same time, we
must exercise some caution. Avoid compelling those who are unwilling to be a
part of your celebrations. Learn to respect the dignity of others. Minimise the
use of dangerous colours and chemicals as far as possible and do not waste
water unnecessarily by filling water balloons. Use a bucket of water and a pichkaari instead. Most importantly, don’t
drink and drive. Instead of blaming the Police in the aftermath of any
accident, try to take all necessary precautions at your end and abide by the
law.
We as a nation have embarked on the road to development and
are ahead of several ‘modern’ nations. But, let us not on our way forget our
moral values or denigrate our culture.
I wish all my dear citizens a very happy and colourful Holi!
JAI HIND
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