Our Constituent Assembly (CA) members and student leaders are busy with their political schedules most of the time. Political meetings, speeches and protests often do not spare them much free time.

Stealing a few moments from their busy schedules, Sharada Adhikari delves into their perception of Holi

Gayatri Shah/ Youngest CA member

Significance of Holi

For me Holi is synonymous with happiness. It brings cheer and happiness as people even in places far away return home and celebrate the festival together. It is an occasion where people regardless of their castes come together and enjoy.

Ideal Holi celebration

Despite Holi being celebrated for happiness, it has become a dreadful experience, especially for girls. I have run many times to protect myself from lolas weeks before the day it is celebrated. I think Holi celebrations should be limited in the circle of acquaintances who wish to take part in it.

Colour coordination

Red: My mother who always wears red clothes. Red symbolises the initiation of good changes and my mother has been an inspiration for me to start new things.

Green: My Party (Nepali Janata Dal) because the flag of my party is green.

Blue: Coat of CA members, which is blue.

Yellow: It’s my favourite colour and reminds me of my brother Subodh on whom the colour yellow looks good. He is my favourite too.

Silver: Boys. In Holi they are the boys who walk on the streets with silver colour painted all over their faces and they resemble ghosts. (Laughs)

Ram kumari Jhankri/ President, All Nepal National Free Students Union

Significance of Holi

A symbol of victory and joy, Holi represents our cultural value. It keeps on reminding us about our civilised culture and motivates us to walk on the right path.

Ideal celebration

of Holi

Mostly it’s the boys who are misusing this festival as an excuse to attack girls with lolas and misbehave with them. The festival of colours should be celebrated within one’s own circle and on the particular day of Holi only. It should be made an occasion of happiness, not a chaotic festival.

Colour

coordination

Red: Revolution. It was an impression that developed in my mind unknowingly since my childhood.

Green: I have a childhood memory of a parrot that used to sit on a tree besides my house and used to call me.

Yellow: Ronaldo and his team as the jersey of the Brazilian football team have always been yellow.

Silver: Probably the dirtiest person dancing in any song. This impression has developed from those people who on the streets with their faces painted in silver colour during Holi. They are not only dirty but seem horrible.

Manushi Bhattarai/ Secretary, Free Student Union, Tribhuwan University

Significance of Holi

Besides being a religious festival, Holi is significant for it creates an environment of cooperation and coordination among people from different communities in society. Though I don’t celebrate this festival, I feel that this festival is one of the occasions that helps develop the feeling of unity among people.

Ideal Holi celebration

The lola aatanka (terror of lolas) upon girls should be stopped first of all, which is the worst part of this festival. The celebration should be spontaneous not forced. Only then will it be a celebration of happiness and coordination.

Colour

coordination

Red: Che Guevara — red is a revolutionary colour on seeing which I am reminded of the sacrifice of Che for change.

Blue: My father and me — blue is our favourite colour.

Green: Nature — the freshness of nature is always represented by green.