Holi celebrations excite African journalists in India

Mar 17, 2014

Holi, the annual Indian festival of colour has excited African journalists undergoing a three-weeks training in the capital New Delhi.

By Godfrey Ojore

Holi, the annual Indian festival of colour has excited African journalists undergoing a three-weeks training in the capital New Delhi.

Holi is observed with great fanfare by Hindus all over the world and it’s a public holiday in India giving all people a chance to celebrate.

“I am going to be at home with my children celebrating because it’s a special day celebrated once,” said the senior assistant editor of India’s leading newspaper, The Times of India.

The colorful Holi originated as an agricultural festival, ushering in the blooming season. Holi, like all other Indian festivals, also has its fair share of fabulous significance.

Corwne Palza hotel hosting African journalists from 29 African countries organized a party for them and other nationals residing to celebrate Holi

“I am amassed that even big people can play with colors like children. I have decided to join and I am enjoying every bit of it,” said Damalie Nabbosa of Urban Television.

According to legends, the festival is known as Holi, owing to the legend of ‘Holika’.

In Vaishnava theology, Hiranyakashipu was the king of demons, and had received the boon of immortality from Lord Brahma.

As his power and arrogance grew, he began objecting to people’s belief in divine power and demanded that they worship him instead.

Holi is a time for family members to get together, give gifts, eat special foods and decorate their homes.

Women chase the men playfully with sticks, giving the occasion also the name of Lathmar (hitting with sticks) Holi.

“Holi is more than Christmas in my country because everybody here is in celebratory mood unlike in Africa where there is section of Muslims who don’t celebrate Christmas,” said Felex Share, a journalist from Zimbabwe.

Overall, Holi is one of the most spirited and beloved festivals of the Hindu calendar but it’s the time police authorities in New Delhi said the country records high cases of road accidents.

“I feel I should be in India every Holi because it’s exciting experience to play and drink all tribes of drinks,” shouted Devota Chang’a  a journalist from Tanzania.

According to statistics the Hindus times news paper quoted from police indicate that 13 people are killed every Holi in the past seven years.
 

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