Holi is a time to rekindle human relationships at the personal, family and social level. It is also time for people of all faiths to usher in unity and harmony of religions, says SHASHI DIP
Holi, the festival of colours, has arrived again to merge the seven colours gifted by mother nature with sensibility. These colours serve as a medium to demonstrate joy and oneness all around, in order to establish love, unity and brotherhood in our country and the whole world.
Traditionally Holika Dahan (the burning of the demoness) is organised on the eve of Holi to record the victory of dharma over adharma, truth over falsehood, and goodwill over ill-will. The burning conveys destruction of hatred and conspiratorial ideologies that spread malice in the world.
As Holi is associated with colours, the atmosphere becomes very pleasant.
This year Holi is being celebrated on Friday, March 14, coinciding with Friday prayers during the ongoing holy month of Ramazan.
Unfortunately, those people who propagate religious malice have started their disgusting drama. It’s sad to see ‘faith-based’ controversy crop up again and again.
Instead, this is the time when we should emphasise the common values and principles shared by both faiths, such as compassion, kindness, and respect for human life. But a handful of extremely biased people have marred the festive spirit of Holi this year.
Holi is a celebration of colours, love, and joy. It’s tragic to see it being overshadowed by tensions and worries.
The festival of Holi is meant to bring people together, transcend social and cultural boundaries, and promote unity and harmony. Similarly, Ramazan encourages individuals to reflect on their values, actions, and relationships, promoting personal growth and unity with oneself and others.
So, it’s essential that we focus on the true spirit of Holi and Ramazan and work towards creating an atmosphere of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect. After all its not for the first time over the years that both the festivals have come together; so why to make it a big issue and destroy the peace of the country.
Let’s hope that the festivities pass off peacefully and that the spirit of Holi will prevail over any differences or controversies. We need to practice true Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world as one big family).
Holi should not be celebrated by keeping in mind who is Hindu and who belongs to another religion or is from another country! Truly, Holi is a symbol of joy and unity.
In fact, this spirit of oneness and unity makes people forget their differences and animosity. When people stand together applying colour to each other, in the true spirit of Holi, it’s the best time to forget the differences between rich and poor, friends and so-called enemies, and above all, religion, considering that we all belong to One God.
I have personally experienced that many times during the festivities after Holika Dahan and during Dhulivandan, also known as Rangwali Holi, when you come across someone who has a grudge against you and with whom you have been keeping a distance, love overflows in the atmosphere of excitement and most of the old grudges end.
Indeed, Holi is a time to renew and rekindle human relationships at the personal, family and social level. Then happiness returns, igniting the flame of love all around.
Shashi Dip is a thinker, bilingual writer, poet, columnist, social activist and an author of the book ‘Waves Within (Horizon and Beyond)’. She is associated with various literary associations and has written more than 200 blogs, 500 quotes in Hindi/Urdu and English and 100 poems in both Hindi and English.
