Holi with a Welfare Purpose

By Radhika Nagrath
Haridwar, 2 Mar: It is Holi time and the entire city of Haridwar is soaked in the spirit of the festival. The Senior Citizens Forum celebrated with a medley of talent shows enacted by the senior citizens, singing of melodies and shaking to the dance beats in Hotel Gardenia. The entire hall was packed and the senior women were seen fluttering in the best of their flared lehengas and sarees while the men were in traditional attire.
The programme started with lighting of the lamp and recitation of Vande Matram. The central theme of the programme was Rasleela by Radha and Krishna. Lucky draw winners were given prizes by former executive Director AK Mittal.
A Holi satire by Shyam Sundar and Rita Awasthi was appreciated by the audience.
SK Agarwal, Secretary, Senior Citizens Forum, said, “Apart from rejoicing on festivals and observing national days, the forum is constantly making its efforts to get its voice heard at the national level. In a recently held AISCCON annual convention held in Bhubaneshwar, MK Raina, the national president from Haridwar, pressed the demand for formation of a separate ministry for senior citizens and resuming the grant of railway concession during travel for senior citizens.”
AK Jain, President, Senior Citizens Forum, said, “The Holi celebration by the senior citizens forum started two decades ago and the first celebration was held in Model Colony under the leadership of Vice President Subhash Chand Goel. Each passing year it has added new colours to its show.” Sangeeta Gupta, Kumkum Gupta, Ranjana Verma, Prabha Sharma, Sudheer Agarwal, Savita Gupta, Neeta Nayaar, JP Juyal, Subhas Malik and Ravikant gave their performances.