Colorful festival is here. So how many of you are ready and exited to play colorful and wet holi this week? Plans are ready or are still on its way? Well, we would like to pass one message before holi starts. We all are already aware of the situation that our country is facing - the acute shortage of water. Hence this Holi season we request you to play Holi as “Dry Holi” or “Waterless Holi”. Before the time has come and you have indulged yourself in playful moods, wait a second and think about how much water you can save if you go for Dry Holi. Think about the situation people are facing in the draught affected areas. Water used during (in pichkari and balloons) and after (to clean ourselves) is totally waste. Below are the few highlights to prevent water wastage while playing holi.
Wear the old dark colored clothes. Check for the clothes that you have not wore in last six months and use them this holi. No need of washing, you can just discard them after playing. Remember to do proper oiling on hair, moisturize the skin, and coat your nails with nail paint before you step out for a play. This will help in using less water afterwards for cleaning up.
Use the natural homemade colors to avoid the wastage of water. Natural colors are comparatively easy to wash off. Cleaning up of colors should only happen after you are completely done with playing. Using water to clean up and again play will not only waste water but it is also damaging to your skin and hair. Avoid using dark colors as they take more water to clean them off.
It is recommended to play in the garden of the complex. In case you don’t have that choice play indoors at the designated fixed place. Most difficult time is faced when we try to convince children to play “Dry Holi”. However don’t get disheartened, here are few tips for you. Explain them the importance of water and the situation we are into, effects of harmful chemicals used in colors on plants and environment. Let them know the other things they can do on holi and still enjoy without wasting water like having the painting competition – ask them to use their imagination and use colors in every way they want. Do singing and dancing, play games, ask them to participate in the preparation of special holi dishes, tell them holi related stories, etc
In case they are too rigid, try to set the limit on the quantity of water they can use and ask them to stick to it. Ask them to play in the designated area to avoid colors in the entire home. Set the time after which they should stop playing it. Once they are done with playing try to hide the colors.
In case you have played indoors and the cleaning up timing has come: Take a bucket of water. Add washing soda, surf / soap, stain free liquid and rub the entire area with the sponge. Once you are entirely done take the clean water and then give the final wash. Make use of clean water only after all the color spots are washed away.
So what are you waiting for? Pledge now that you will curb the water wastage and celebrate this time Holi as “Dry Holi” and do your bit. I would also take this opportunity to mention that we should save water not only on holi but also in day to day activities. Let us know through comments who all are with us.
