Badin / Karachi:
It is the festival of good on evil. It is the welcoming spring festival. It is the triumph festival. It is a festival for everyone. It’s the color festival. It’s Holi – Happy Holi!
One of the main Hindu festivals, Holi, was celebrated through the Sindh with a religious and cultural zeal.
“For me, it is more a cultural festival than a religious festival,” commented Mukesh Meghwar, activist and educator of Badin. “We [Hindus] Celebrate it with our own community and friends [Muslims]. We share the colors – the colors of life. “”
He said most of his friends in Umerkot have been celebrating the festival for three days. “They tried to break the silence. They tried to bring peace to the region. They tried to discourage fear,” he added.
“On this special occasion, we celebrate the colors because they are universal, and they have their own meaning, which we must all understand,” said Meghwar.
Some of the biggest events in Holi took place in Mithi and Umerkot – the two major cities where the Hindus are mostly. Muslims also joined the celebrations of these cities, as well as Hyderabad, Sukkur and Karachi.
Professor KS Nagpal, educator and principal writer, told L’Express PK Press Club that he celebrated Holi in Kandhkot. “The colors are everywhere. It is a festival of happiness and tells the story of Triumph on tyranny.”
Most people on this occasion wear their old clothes, and according to Professor Nagpal, it is a festival for the poor. “Special dishes are prepared for this festival. We throw ourselves colors to spread joy and mark the beginning of a new trip in life.”
“Holi gives you the message of harmony. It also gives you hope. It is a festival of happiness that everyone wants to appreciate,” said Professor Nagpal. He added that for the inhabitants of the Sindh, Holi will be really celebrated when the water is restored on the Indus River.
In Karachi, Holi was celebrated in different parts of the city, especially in old cities, notably Narainpura, Saddar, Clifton and other localities.
Ganish Mandir goalkeeper in Mauripur said his community celebrated the day on Thursday. “The celebrations started in the morning and continued until late in the evening,” he said. “Special prayers have been offered for peace and prosperity in our country,” he concluded.
Mukhi Sahil, a resident from Umerkot, said it was the first time that the festival has been really alive. “Umerkot was different this year. The markets remained closed. Everyone participated – Hindu and Muslims.” He added that the Dhandhya made the festival even more colorful. “Dhandya Dance was organized in various places.” He said thousands of people in the city and neighboring regions had attended the Holi evening programs.
Due to Ramazan, most of the programs were organized after Iftar.
