THE BHARATIYA Janata Party’s appeal not to celebrate Holi due to the Varanasi blasts seemed to have no effect on the city.
People were in a festive mood on Monday for the festival of colours.
Schoolchildren smeared one another with gulal and exchanged greetings just after school hours.
Empolyees were busy playing colours in Central and State Government offices. Shoppers thronged major markets of the city. A huge rush was also witnessed at banks which will be closed for two days due to the festival.
Shops of colours, balloons and sprinklers were set up on both sides of the road at Townhall crossing, Buxipur, Jubilee Road and Reti Road. People enjoyed traditional Holi songs at various places. Many cultural organisations, including a human rights body, Teesri Aankh organised a Holi Milan programme at Indira Gandhi crossing on Monday.
Various social organisation appealed to people to maintain communal harmony, while playing Holi. Backward Muslim Sabha district president Rehmatullah and Samajwadi Party city unit secretary Chaudhary Moinuddin appeal to people to restrain themselves, while celebrating the festival of colours.