Hauz Khas Enclave (HKE) RWA had a beautiful Holi celebration replete with community spirit and participation. After all isn’t that one of the most special aspects of the Holi festival – to bring people together and strengthen bonding between neighbours. And the HKE Holi was exactly about that!
The celebration venue, IFFCO Park, nestled in the heart of the colony was full of multi-coloured spring flowers in full bloom which added vibrancy to the setting.
Six year old Vanya couldn’t contain her excitement and reached well before time accompanied by her nanny. We asked her where her mother was and she replied “Woh holi keliye taiyyar ho rahee hain”. Soon there were little children running behind each other under shiny bunting flags decorations with their armour of water -laden pichkaris powered by ChotaBheem and Spiderman. Groups of women dressed in pristine white filled the park with their chatter and laughter colouring each other with bright organic gulaal. Senior citizens were seen enjoying Holi with Chandan tikas and garlanding each other with marigold malas. Dj Music and live singers enlivened the atmosphere as people danced to yesteryears favourite songs such as “Rang Barse” along with latest chartbusters like “jhoome jo Pathaan”. At another corner couples were getting their pictures clicked in showers of flower petals making the HKE Holi hugely instagrammable!
Holi is a day when everyone takes the day off, so to give the resident’s kitchens a break the RWA organised traditional mouth watering snacks like golgappe, chaat, kalmibade, paneer pakoras, spring rolls and chilli potatoes followed by delicious lunch for everyone.
This beautifully curated Holi experience was organised mainly with funds pooled in from the residents. The arrangements were an effort of the RWA President along with the members of the Executive Committee and volunteers of the colony, reflecting the spirit of teamwork and bonhomie of the HKE community. Volunteers procured Holi decorations from Chandni Chowk, flowers from the Mehrauli mandi, some spent hours to managing the onsite settings, and some put in efforts to create a buzz on different Whatsapp groups to ensure a good turnout of residents. Since the colony has many senior citizens, their needs were taken into account and accordingly seating arrangement was made in a tented shaded area for them. More than 200 people had turned up to celebrate this Holi.
Mr Praveen Gupta, President RWA pointed out, “The Holi Milan festivities are particularly rejuvenating for senior citizens, many who live alone, they get to interact with younger residents and children. It is also an opportunity for the new residents to meet their neighbours and make friends”.
It is noteworthy that Hauz Khas Enclave is home to several interesting boutique institutions such as SVYASA yoga centre, Blind Women’s centre for disability studies, Buddhism centre Bharat Soka Gakkai and The Neemrana Choir. It is also the home of several celebrities such as internationally recognised jurist Padma Vibhushan awardees Fali S Nariman, Raza Foundation trustee and famed artist Manish Pushkale, Aman Gupta, the Boat founder of Shark Tank fame and the family of famous sweets & snacks retailers Haldiram amongst others.
by Praveen Gupta (RWA President HK Enclave)
