Addressing a Press Conference Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony. Secretary General, IMA and President Heart Care Foundation of India said that in the first 6 months of Uttarayan, Holi is the only major festival.
Uttarayan is the phase of a positive state of mind, which helps build friendships and turn your enemies into your friends. Holashtak, a period of 8 days before Holi is meant for this purpose. It takes up to 8 days to purify the mind and clear ego-based negativity from one’s own mind as well as that of our enemies or those with disputes. Once the negativity of the mind is removed, the day of Holi is played in friendship.
Dr A Marthanda Pillai National President IMA and Dr K K Aggarwal Honorary Secretary General IMA released the following guidelines for Holi.
*Water filled balloons can causes head/eye injury.
*Green Holi colours contain malachite green, which can be dangerous to the eyes.
*Most Holi colours may contain artificial colours or dyes and/or lead. These chemicals are harmful to the body and skin. Shiny colours may contain ground glass or mica, which again are harmful.
*Use haldi/turmeric and flower-based colours to play Holi.
*Avoid eating adulterated sweets.
*Avoid Bhang and alcohol.
*Date rape drugs can be mixed with Bhang and Thandai by boys to sexually harass young girls. *According to POCSO Act, any girl below age of 18 years if harassed with sexual intent even in the pretext of Holi celebrations is a criminal offence and punishable with imprisonment. Under the *POSCO Act, any person touching the chest of a female younger than 18 years of age, can amount to imprisonment.
*Patients with cough and fever should be careful during Holi celebrations as Swine Flu can infect others who are in the vicinity of 3 feet from the patient. Because of untimely rain and lowering of temperature, the effect of Swine Flu will continue for a few more days. According to IMA, people suffering from Swine Flu should not be allowed to gather in Holi crowds.
The dignity of women must be preserved when playing Holi and this should be our message for the coming International Women’s Day falling on 8th march.
