Festival of colours Holi being celebrated with traditional fervour, gaiety

Festival of
colours Holi is being celebrated across the country today. The festival
signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring.

President
Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra
Modi have greeted the people on the occasion.

In a
message, President said, the Festival of Colours signals the end of winter and
the advent of spring. Mr Kovind said, as the harbinger of hope, Holi has a
special place in the cultural calendar.

The
President said, its celebrations across the country are marked by a rare
vivacity across generations.

Mr Kovind
said, Holi, with its myriad colours, is also the best reflection of Indian
diversity and multicultural heritage. He hoped that the festival will
strengthen the faith in the cherished national values and promote the good for
all. 

In his
message, Vice President said, Holi festival is a time for family and friends to
come together and rejoice in the spirit of unity, brotherhood and affection. Mr
Naidu said, the lighting of the bonfire on the eve of Holi symbolizes the
triumph of virtue over evil.

The Vice
President said, Holi is also a celebration of the beauty and bounty of nature
and the festival signifies the end of winter and the beginning of summer.

He called
upon people to strive to strengthen the bonds of friendship and amity in Holi
which hold the society together. Mr Naidu hoped that the festival will break
the barriers that divide people and unite everyone in the quest for shared
prosperity, peace, progress, harmony and joy.

In a tweet,
Prime Minister Modi hoped that the festival of colours will bring joy and
happiness in the life of all the countrymen.

Delhi Police
has made elaborate traffic arrangements to ensure the safety of motorists and
check the incidents of drunken driving on Holi. Over 170 traffic pickets have
been set up to ensure a peaceful and safe Holi celebration.

Delhi
traffic police has deployed around 1,600 staff for the purpose.

In an
advisory Delhi traffic police has asked motorists to obey traffic rules on the
day of the festival.

As per the
directions issued by the Supreme Court committee on road safety, in cases of
drink driving, traffic light violations, usage of mobile phone while driving,
and over speeding, the offender’s driving license will be seized and liable for
suspension for at least three months.

Delhi Police
has also advised parents to not allow their minors drive vehicles.

Special
checking teams with alcometers will be deployed at major intersections and
vulnerable points to detect and prosecute traffic violations. Rashtrapati
Bhavan will not hold the traditional Holi gatherings this year as a
precautionary measure in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, several Union Ministers, BJP
president J P Nadda will skip the Holi celebrations due to the outbreak.

In a tweet,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that experts across the world have
advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID19 Novel
Coronavirus.

Hence this
year, he has decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme.