New Delhi, Mar 4 (UNI) 'Rang', 'bhang', 'ullas', 'pichkaris', 'gujhiya', 'gulal' and 'dhamal' -- all seven colours of Holi filled the streets of the city as Delhiites revelled in 'phagun's' fun and frolic festival.
'Tolis' of youth, men and women soaked in rainbow colours reached out to each other to express the message of Holi -- brotherhood -- by embracing each other, applying 'rang' and dancing together to the toast of 'bhang' -- the season's most exotic flavour.
Even as children rained baloons from rooftops and balconies, much to the chagrin of those hit, 'Holi geet' singing girls added to the ambience a dash of extra cheer -- delighting hearts and people around.
In Patel Nagar, the celebration began as early as 0730 hrs with children taking to the streets and mobbing every passerby, pinning him down, drenching him and then wishing 'Holi hai'.
In nearby Karol Bagh, one of city's prime market places saw Vyapar Sanghs forming groups and visiting each others' homes -- expressing both 'brotherhood' and 'solidarity'.
Dancing to the tune of 'dhol' among colleagues was a great feeling, as Rajesh Agarwal of 'Punjab sweets' said. ''I was joining such a gathering for the first time. It was equally pleasurable as being with one's family.'' On duty policemen faced 'attacks' from children's 'pichkaris' and a rare balloon 'attack' but they seemed to be unfazed.
''Kya karenge bura manke? (What purpose would it serve by getting annoyed? After all we were also children at some stage,'' said Sub-Inspector Manohar, posted at Karol Bagh, who hailed from Sitapur.
A safe Holi is what we are aiming at and we tend to remain aloof from what all is happening around us to let people enjoy the moment.
Safety and security of people is what we are just bothered about for today and ignore minor incidents. The best part is that local people treat us well today with mithai and namkin et all,'' he added.
Though vehicles were quite less, city centre Connaught Place was another hub of activity with virtual strangers embracing each other to wish 'Holi mubarak' and share a jig or two to the bursting chartbusters over the stereo.
With exams 'on the head', children were a reluctant lot with several staying indoors to make the most of time. Sonika, a Class X student and East Patel Nagar resident, preferred staying back home to catch up with studies as ''Holi can be enjoyed next year also, when I'll be relatively free, but if I can score a little more with this 'little bit' I won't regret missing Holi.'' In contrast Akhil, another Chass X student, was enthusiastic about him enjoying Holi. ''One day, rather half-a-day, play won't make a difference to the year-round preparations. After all, Holi comes just once a year and nothing else gives this sort of camaradarie feeling as this festival of colours. And then who would love to lose the opportunity to mend fences whom we have 'lost' in the year gone by.'' Though mostly markets remained closed, by evening several shops were back to business. The ones who did roaring business were those of sweets, 'paan', kulfi, icecream and the soon-to-be-hot lassi, not to talk of the regular restaurants.
The most hard-hit was the passenger coming out of the railway station and bus terminuses with skeletal auto service and almost no bus service. Rubbing salt to injury was the 'absence' of metro services till 1400 hrs. Passengers were seen complaining of administration turning a blind eye to the very basics of a metropolis.
Mr Ramakant, a doctor in Sirsa, had come from Allahabad by train and had to reach ISBT for his connecting journey. The only thing he would find outside the New Delhi Railway Station at Ajmeri Gate side was cycle-rickshaw and a few auto-rickshaws who were asking exorbitant fares.
''Its ridiculous that such people are left free to fleece the vulnerable. The government doesn't seem to be bothered. Even if I can afford what about the hundreds others like me?,'' he queried.
A shopkeeper by profession, Mr Manoj wanted to reach the Old Delhi Railway Station from New Delhi station to catch a train for Ambala. The only mode of transportation available was the cycle-rickshaw. No buses and no Metro service left him frustrated.
''I was happy that I would be safe from 'colours' as I would be taking the Metro, but I was told it wouldn't ply till 1400 hrs. and with no city bus service operating, I am left with no alternative but take the rickshaw as I have waited for about an hour waiting bus a bus. It sounds strange to me that I am in Delhi -- the capital of our country.'' Nevertheless, the common man was happy for Holi, as it had 'ho li' (just happened) and he was party to it. For a 'dilliwala' it was after all 'Bura na mano Holi hai'.
UNI
'Tolis' of youth, men and women soaked in rainbow colours reached out to each other to express the message of Holi -- brotherhood -- by embracing each other, applying 'rang' and dancing together to the toast of 'bhang' -- the season's most exotic flavour.
Even as children rained baloons from rooftops and balconies, much to the chagrin of those hit, 'Holi geet' singing girls added to the ambience a dash of extra cheer -- delighting hearts and people around.
In Patel Nagar, the celebration began as early as 0730 hrs with children taking to the streets and mobbing every passerby, pinning him down, drenching him and then wishing 'Holi hai'.
In nearby Karol Bagh, one of city's prime market places saw Vyapar Sanghs forming groups and visiting each others' homes -- expressing both 'brotherhood' and 'solidarity'.
Dancing to the tune of 'dhol' among colleagues was a great feeling, as Rajesh Agarwal of 'Punjab sweets' said. ''I was joining such a gathering for the first time. It was equally pleasurable as being with one's family.'' On duty policemen faced 'attacks' from children's 'pichkaris' and a rare balloon 'attack' but they seemed to be unfazed.
''Kya karenge bura manke? (What purpose would it serve by getting annoyed? After all we were also children at some stage,'' said Sub-Inspector Manohar, posted at Karol Bagh, who hailed from Sitapur.
A safe Holi is what we are aiming at and we tend to remain aloof from what all is happening around us to let people enjoy the moment.
Safety and security of people is what we are just bothered about for today and ignore minor incidents. The best part is that local people treat us well today with mithai and namkin et all,'' he added.
Though vehicles were quite less, city centre Connaught Place was another hub of activity with virtual strangers embracing each other to wish 'Holi mubarak' and share a jig or two to the bursting chartbusters over the stereo.
With exams 'on the head', children were a reluctant lot with several staying indoors to make the most of time. Sonika, a Class X student and East Patel Nagar resident, preferred staying back home to catch up with studies as ''Holi can be enjoyed next year also, when I'll be relatively free, but if I can score a little more with this 'little bit' I won't regret missing Holi.'' In contrast Akhil, another Chass X student, was enthusiastic about him enjoying Holi. ''One day, rather half-a-day, play won't make a difference to the year-round preparations. After all, Holi comes just once a year and nothing else gives this sort of camaradarie feeling as this festival of colours. And then who would love to lose the opportunity to mend fences whom we have 'lost' in the year gone by.'' Though mostly markets remained closed, by evening several shops were back to business. The ones who did roaring business were those of sweets, 'paan', kulfi, icecream and the soon-to-be-hot lassi, not to talk of the regular restaurants.
The most hard-hit was the passenger coming out of the railway station and bus terminuses with skeletal auto service and almost no bus service. Rubbing salt to injury was the 'absence' of metro services till 1400 hrs. Passengers were seen complaining of administration turning a blind eye to the very basics of a metropolis.
Mr Ramakant, a doctor in Sirsa, had come from Allahabad by train and had to reach ISBT for his connecting journey. The only thing he would find outside the New Delhi Railway Station at Ajmeri Gate side was cycle-rickshaw and a few auto-rickshaws who were asking exorbitant fares.
''Its ridiculous that such people are left free to fleece the vulnerable. The government doesn't seem to be bothered. Even if I can afford what about the hundreds others like me?,'' he queried.
A shopkeeper by profession, Mr Manoj wanted to reach the Old Delhi Railway Station from New Delhi station to catch a train for Ambala. The only mode of transportation available was the cycle-rickshaw. No buses and no Metro service left him frustrated.
''I was happy that I would be safe from 'colours' as I would be taking the Metro, but I was told it wouldn't ply till 1400 hrs. and with no city bus service operating, I am left with no alternative but take the rickshaw as I have waited for about an hour waiting bus a bus. It sounds strange to me that I am in Delhi -- the capital of our country.'' Nevertheless, the common man was happy for Holi, as it had 'ho li' (just happened) and he was party to it. For a 'dilliwala' it was after all 'Bura na mano Holi hai'.
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