In 2010, a completely natural Holi party was organised by eCoexist volunteer Venkat Gunnam along with his friends, Madhukar Banuri and Santosh, who are also on the Teach for India team. The party was at the Balwant Phadke municipal school in Wanowrie and nearly 500 children participated.

The natural colours Rang Dulaar were sponsored by Vikram Potdar, of Suzlon and Namita Thapar of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, and were distributed free of charge to the children.

The children were educated about the need to use natural colours only and about the importance of recycling plastic bottles.

Also, pichkaris made out of waste bottles were given to them. These pichkaris were a pilot project taken up along with the ragpickers of SWaCH who recycled waste plastic bottles according to a design offered by Sri Arvind Gupta, scientist at Pune University.The project was supported by a sixteen year old young girl, Shruti Gogia who offered her prize money towards this work!

eCoexist is helped to organise six such events across town at the PCMC Municipal school, Pimpri, Blind Girls school, Kothrud, Blind boys school, Koregaon Park, Vidya Jyoti school for slow learners, and for slum kids through the NGO Swadhar in addition to the one held this morning. This will ensure that children who may otherwise not be able to afford to play Holi have a safe and joyous celebration.

To take a look at some beautiful photos of our event with the Blind Girls schools visit http://uniqpixel.com/holi/ Photos courtesy : Umesh Kale

Holi parties for kids in 2011:

If you are part of a kids group and would like to organise such an event you can also approach us for the colours.

The sponsors:

Namita Thapar

Emcure Pharmaceuticals

Monique von Allmen

Lotika Gurnani

Vishay Components

MWH