holi

In a horrific incident, a man allegedly raped a minor in school premises. The incident occurred on Holi, in Bihar's Begusarai district. The police confirmed the incident and said, the victim and her friend, stopped at school to enjoy the swing ride, when the accused identified as Chotu Kumar, raped the seven-year-old and assaulted her friend, a nine-year-old in an intoxicated state. The police registered a case and arrested Kumar.

The people of West Bengal celebrated the festival of colors, predominantly known as 'Dol Utsav' in the state. Meanwhile, the people begin the day singing and dancing on the famous Tagore song "Ore Grihabasi, khol dwar khol laglo je dol…. (O home dweller, open the door, the Dol festival is here)." The festival of colors is celebrated across India by playing "gulaal" or powder color on each other.  

Women inmates of Indore Central jail made organic Holi colours out of fruits, vegetables and flowers. The inmates adapted the new skill from the NGOs who visited them, said Alka Sonar, jail superintendent. Reportedly, the raw materials provided to them were grown inside the premises. Sonar further stated that the skills these inmates have acquired will be used to make a livelihood once they are out.

Durbar Mahila Coordination Committee, the largest organisation of sex workers in West Bengal, celebrated Holi on March 18. "The sex workers cannot go out and celebrate the festivals with other community so every year we organize various celebrations in Songachi red-light area," Bishakha Lasker said. Meanwhile, sex workers and children come together to play Holi. "We want them to live a life like all normal people," said Satabdi Das. 

The Islamic Centre of India has requested mosques to change the timings of Friday prayers on the occasion of Holi, as per sources. ''Since Holi, Shab-e-Barat, and Friday prayers are on the same day, all efforts should be made to ensure peace and order in keeping with the composite culture of the country,'' stated Muslim authority. Notably, about 22 mosques have changed the timing of the Friday prayers till now.