Harmony drives Sec-34 festival spirit

CHANDIGARH: Fun-filled and boisterous Holi celebrations indeed have a lot more to them than water balloons and gulaal. This was evident in good measure at the celebrations of Sector 34 Residents’ Welfare Association, wherein the festivities meant not just splashing colours on near and dear ones. A message for communal harmony came forth, what with the residents participating in the celebrations, irrespective of religion, age and gender.
People of different communities played ‘eco-friendly’ Holi with herbal colours and flowers.
“The Holi celebration is for residents of Sector-34, religion, gender and age no bar. Communal harmony should shine through on festivals of all religions,” said Brig Cheema.
On the eve of Holi, people were enthusiastic as everybody enjoyed the moment, throwing gulaal at others. And the elderly seemed more enthusiastic than the younger lot.
“I believe in enjoying a dry Holi. Colours are beautiful and we should enjoy them with a pure heart. Though the festival comes once a year, one should bear in mind that people should not force colours on everyone as some are allergic to them,” said resident Halish Minocha.
Harjinder Kaur, chairperson of Punjab Arts Council and former mayor, accompanied the local residents in the festivity. “Our happiness should not have us forgetting the pain of others. We pray for safety of people in Japan. This festival is all about harmony. Setting aside personal barriers, we should be bound together by bonds of feelings,” she said.