INDIAN STARS CALL FOR DRY HOLI FESTIVAL AMID DROUGHT

HOLI 2013: CELEBS PROMOTE 
A DRY, ECO-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL

http://zeenews.india.com - Film and TV artists are known for hosting and enjoying lavish Holi parties, but this year, celebrities are endorsing dry and eco-friendly colours to combat with the severe drought situation that looms over many parts of Maharashtra. Celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Vikramaditya Motwane, Riteish Deshmukh and others are going all out to promote a dry Holi. Big B took to Twitter to spread the word among his 4,670,000 followers, and posted: "Water shortage in Maharashtra ... and it’s only March. What will happen in summer? Save water! Play a dry Holi!"
Popular host Mini Mathur tweeted: "Please urge everyone you know to enjoy a waterless holi. The mere thought of rain dances in the wake of the water crisis is creepy and tasteless." In fact, singer-actress Suchitra Krishnamurthy said she was invited to a Holi party with bottled water. "I said distribute the bottles in drought-ridden areas instead. I’ve been struck off the guest-list," she added.

Nevertheless, celebrities are doing their bit in saving water. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, who hosts a Holi party at his residence every year, has scrapped his plan this year. "Because of the drought in Maharashtra, I am not playing Holi this year. Every year I have a Holi party at my home, but this year there is severe water problem, so this time we have decided not to play Holi. People are saying that play dry Holi but what’s that, I don’t understand. So it’s better not to play," Gupta said here. 
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra said: "This time on Holi, don’t use water. Play Holi without water because there is a drought." For ‘Vicky Donor’ actor Ayushmann Khurrana, efforts to save water are important on this festival. "There is a lot of scarcity of water in Maharashtra. I would only say that we should celebrate Holi without water and save water," he said.

Bollywood stars have joined calls for Mumbai to temper celebrations and reduce water wastage during a riotous Hindu festival this week, as millions of Indians face their worst drought in decades. Holi marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring and revellers who enjoy the “festival of colours” have been urged to cut down on water usage during the festival, which is normally celebrated with wild “rain dances” and the throwing of buckets of water, water-filled balloons and paint. The Holi festival takes place on Wednesday at a time when central parts of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, are reeling under a severe water shortage with no rain due until the monsoon in June.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Holi is a major festival and celebrates the onset of spring, along with good harvests and the fertility of the land. It is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March. This festival is known best for the way people throw brightly colored powder and water over each other to celebrate the advent of spring. Then they bathe and cleanse themselves after which they distribute sweets amongst friends and relatives. Vibrant processions accompanied by folk songs and dances are also a characteristic of Holi celebrations. Holi is a very popular festival amongst the youth. 
Holi also commemorates the burning to death of Holika, the aunt of Prahlada. Huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Holi for this reason. Holi is celebrated with great vigor in the north, but is hardly celebrated in southern India.

Dr Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Hindu Festivals”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/hindu_festivals.htm

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/