Celebrating HOLI – let our hearts melt! - Col RD Singh
26, March 2013
Pictures and Videos: Amar Singh
Jyani, GS Mann, Background Music: Murari Verma
Come Holi and we as a family, look
forward to it as another good occasion, for bonding, and pacifying our estranged friends. Dressed for Holi, and loaded with
packets of dry colours, at about 11 am, my wife and self, set out to mix and
mingle. We head for one army unit after another. As we enter, the troops,
already playing Holi with their officers,
rush to smear ‘gulal’ and drench
us with buckets of water. We do the same, and join them in dancing, with the
rhythm of dholak. Then, I straight away
reach out to the person who is angry with me or not on talking terms for some
reason or the other. I hug him and say sorry, sometimes, not even being aware
what wrong I have done. But, this gesture is enough to melt the other person,
and we are in communication again. I repeat the same in every unit, and every
house that we visit. By now some more drinks down, and hardly recognizable, we
reach the sports ground where the entire station is gathered to celebrate the
festival of colours. The environment is full of mirth and joy. Everyone is
playing, laughing, and dancing. We can see ladies having a gala time pushing
their colleagues in a pond of water and having great fun. It seems as if the
entire station has become one, and the spirit of Holi has permeated in each one
of us. No vengeance, no cribs, no ego prevails at this time. Even the general
officers can be seen sitting down and enjoying with the junior officers. My wife does a jig with her school
teachers and students, all joined in a happy group. What a beautiful feeling of
togetherness, and oneness, even in looks – all look the same.
I am sure people across the country
experience similar feelings, in a festive mood. The moment you think of
celebrating Holi, it brings a smile and a splash of colours in your mind. Be it
a village or city, Holi does bring people together, of all religions and
communities. Barring a few incidents of
drunken driving and rowdiness, the festival is vibrant and colourful. It
strengthens the secular fabric of India.
We can make the festival even more
meaningful by reaching out to our elder parents and relatives, in a greater
degree. As I said above, we say sorry
and make up with our ‘enemies’ where we are posted/residing. We even go a mile
extra to please our ‘bosses’ on this
day. But, not many of us do the same with our own relatives. If I can say sorry
to my boss, beg him/her to pardon me, why can’t I do it to my own real brother
who is annoyed with me? In case it is a property problem, which in most cases
is, can we not sit together, be a little less greedy, and settle it by give and
take. How happy the life will be. Why can’t we go back to our village and hug
our old parents on this day. If we can let go of our past unpleasant memories,
and forgive and forget our close ones, then not only our roots will remain
strong, but our families will be more united. Let this Holi bring us closer not
only with our office seniors and colleagues, but also with our kith and kin. On
this unique festival, let our hearts melt for everyone. Happy Holi!
( Colonel Ripu Daman Singh, a highly
experienced and decorated soldier, belongs to vill Pilimandori ( Fatehabad).
Presently he is engaged in social service ( INTACH, Save The Girl Child, and Voluntary Blood Donation movement). An
avid reader, he writes for news papers, periodicals, and Sirsa News.
