Bright Colours, water balloons, lavish gujiyas and melodious songs are ingredients of perfect Holi. But with this perfect Holi comes the nightmare for hundreds of stray animals of being doused in colours by children to having colours thrown into their eyes. Most Holi colours available in the market have chemicals and cause skin irritation and allergies in animals. These chemicals can also impact their fur, causing discolouration and infection. Animals have this habit of licking their body due to which chemicals enter their system and if not taken any action, this can also be fatal. Even organic colours are harmful for them as their skin and gastro intestinal are very sensitive. Stray animals are more prone to get allergies and infection for we can clean our pets but who is going to wash stray dogs and cows after Holi? The lead in the colours is harmful not just for animals but for children too. The difference is animals don’t have a voice thus they suffer in silence.

Educating and teaching children about the dangers of colours used during Holi go a long way in preventing any untoward incident. Once children understand the problems, they can ensure that adults don’t indulge in such acts. Still if one wishes to colour the animals on Holi he/she can use natural colours like beetroot juice, turmeric powder or Vermillion as alternatives.

So this Holi, lets pledge to play safe and let animals show their real colors.

Happy Holi.

– Agarta Mahajan