On 15 March 2025, the day dawned in an unusual way. The sun rising in sober gesture, threw its first colorful rays on the Chandalika Apartment located at a posh area in New Delhi. The apartment had a sprawling lawn where two Indian mynas were busy foraging for insects. They too were elated after the sun greeted with warmth. They made soft landings on a water-filled tub kept at the corner of the lawn. Getting refreshed after shaking the water over their bodies, the birds flew toward a window pane protruded from a room at the 4th floor.
One of the mynas produced inviting chirps and said, "Good morning Meethi! It's festival of colors today. Aren't you late for the celebration?"
Meethi, the little girl opened her eyes and saw the birds flapping their wings. She was delighted at the sight. Wearing an innocent smile she replied," Thank you friends for reminding of the day". She then left the bed and hurried to the room where her parents were asleep still.
Meethi shook hard her parents and they woke up in surprise. Anita, Meethi's mother inquired," What's the matter Meethi, why are you in desperation now?". "Mom today is Holi. We are getting late for the celebration. I have to rush now for informing Chhotu, Motu, Sunaina, Swati and the other residents including the secretary uncle about this day". Saying so, she came back to her room and wrote a small notice on scrap papers.
Meethi stuffed the papers in the pocket of her frock and left. She was seen banging every door and posting the papers underneath until she reached the secretary's office. Meanwhile Chhotu and Swati exchanged jolly-well notes with Meethi upon the first meet at the stairs.
After 1 hour, the residents gathered at the clubhouse, including the secretary. Meethi was present beforehand. She greeted everyone warmly and asked them to sit. She opened the meet with welcome notes, "Good morning everyone. Today is Holi. Like every year, we will celebrate this year too, but with a twist. She explained the modus operandi and requested the secretary uncle for granting some funds. She appointed her little friends to arrange the bash.
The celebration rolled off at 10 am. The elders took their seats under a canopy erected in the mid of the lawn. Chhotu and Motu brought some buckets and prepared colored waters. A few trays were laid on a table, with colored powders.
The themed music began and soon it filled the air. The aura was set. The little battalion took the center stage. They were equipped with squirt guns. They filled those guns with colored water and charged at the each other. The elders weren't spared too. Everyone ran helter-skelter, but with fun.
Ladies formed a group; they danced and clapped to popular numbers. Men could not resist and they joined the bandwagon, recalling their youthful days. The children made the moment colorful by throwing colored powders high in the air. Soon, everyone was smearing each other's face with gulal. The excitement lasted for 2 hours.
Everyone was back under the canopy. It was time for lunch. The toddlers' brigade had arranged for the lunch packs beforehand. They announced that they had invited some kids from a nearby slum to grace the luncheon. Soon, the guests arrived and they were offered seats.
Swati and Sunaina distributed the lunch boxes and everyone at the venue relished with umpteen satisfactions. Following the luncheon, the Holi celebration came to an end.
