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Beyond gulaal: Indore students discover how to celebrate a sustainable Holi

Beyond Gulaal: Indore Students Discover How to Celebrate a Sustainable Holi | Tina Khatri
Sustainability Watch: Indore Edition

Community Report | Sanawadia

Beyond gulaal: Indore students discover how to celebrate a sustainable Holi

By TINA KHATRI | tinakhatri.blogspot.com | February 26, 2026

As conversations around eco-friendly Holi celebrations and sustainable living gather pace, 54 students from the Environmental Club of the Prestige Institute of Management and Research visited the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development to learn how natural colours and conscious choices can reduce festival-related pollution.

Led by Professor Madhulika Choudhary and two faculty members, the students attended a hands-on workshop conducted by Janak Palta McGilligan at the centre. The session focused on preparing dry and liquid organic Holi colours using flowers and fruits easily available in local markets.

“Festivals can be celebrated without harming health or the environment. Plant-based colours are biodegradable, safer for skin, and reduce water and soil contamination.”

— Janak Palta McGilligan

What the students learnt on ground

Apart from making organic Holi colours, the group explored practical models of:

  • Water conservation through efficient storage and reuse systems
  • Organic farming without chemical fertilisers
  • Waste segregation and composting
  • Renewable energy through solar and wind-powered systems

The visit exposed students to self-reliant living practices that minimise dependence on conventional electricity. Professor Madhulika Choudhary said the field experience helped students understand that sustainability is implemented through daily decisions rather than policy discussions alone.

Practical ideas for a greener Holi

For readers looking to adopt eco-friendly practices, the workshop offered several actionable takeaways:

1. Make natural dry colours at home

Dried marigold or rose petals can be powdered and mixed with gram flour to create soft, skin-friendly gulaal.

2. Prepare liquid colours from kitchen ingredients

Turmeric diluted in water creates yellow, while beetroot extract produces pink hues. These are easy to wash off and do not stain permanently.

3. Reduce water wastage

Encourage dry Holi celebrations or set limits on water usage to prevent unnecessary waste.

4. Avoid plastic packaging

Store colours in reusable steel or cloth containers instead of single-use plastic packets.

Why this matters

Chemical Holi colours often contain synthetic dyes and heavy metals that can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues and environmental damage. Organic alternatives not only lower health risks but also reduce festival-related pollution in urban areas such as Indore.

Celebrating Holi responsibly is both practical and achievable. From choosing natural colours to adopting water conservation, individual responsibility is the first step toward environmental impact.

SEO Search Description for Blogger: Explore how 54 PIMR students learned to make natural Holi colors and practice sustainable living at the Jimmy McGilligan Centre in Sanawadia. Featuring DIY natural color recipes and water conservation tips from Tina Khatri.

TAGS: tinakhatri.blogspot.com, Sustainable Holi Indore, Janak Palta McGilligan, PIMR Environmental Club, Organic Colors Indore, Sanawadia News.

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