Holi goes green as housing societies,clubs pitch organic colours

At Bombay Store,Camp the entire stock for organic colours was exhausted two days before the festival. Mayur Bhave in Kothrud and Pune Club Store saw the sales double as compared to last year. Organic colours demand in the city has grown over the last three years as awareness about their use has increased.

Every year eCoexist supplies organic colours to various stores in the city. This year the organisation has roped in local self-help groups to make and package these colours. The range of colours called Rang Dular are made by groups formed in slected slums in the city. “eCoexist brings the colours to each slum group,gives them a training in packaging and quality control and coordinates the process of packaging through regular visits and follow up,” said Manisha Gutman,Founder,eCoexist. The NGOs supplies to stores outside the city has increased. ” We send our colours to several stores in Mumbai. In Pune,the places are still limited but they have a good demand.”

Holi parties are also choosing to go the organic way. Rang Barse organised at The Residency Club will see over 2,000 people who have opted to play Holi with organic colours. Savio Mascarenhas,Event Manager said,” We have sourced these colours from local vendors. No chemicals have been used to make them.” At Festival of Colours,Raga Lawns close to 1000 people will play holi with colours that have been organically produced. Other places where eco-friendly colors are being promoted are High Spirits,Corinthians and Sayaji. The new additions this year are Holi played with rose petals and multani mitti. Even most housing societies have requested their members to bring only organic colours to the society Holi dos.

This year organic colours are also available at stationary shops and chemists. Venus Traders,FC Road has stocked colours from companies like Pidilite. Meanwhile,vendors in Laxmi Road and Tulsibaug are seeing a good business.