On Saturday, Asha For Education held its annual Holi celebration and drew in over 2,500 participants. Currently, Asha’s festival holds the title of the largest Holi festival in the Midwest.
Holi is commonly called the “Festival of Colors,” and for good reason. Participants are given color packets upon arrival and then tasked with thoroughly dousing their friends with every color in the rainbow.
In Hinduism, Holi represents the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Harshita Ponugoti, senior in Business and co-president of Asha for Education, also said Holi presents the chance for friends and families to get together.
“That’s what most Indian festivals are about,” Ponugoti said. “It’s to get people out and behind a cause that they believe in.”
Asha for Education’s cause is to make education more accessible in India. Since its inception in 1991, the organization has donated $32 million to its mission.
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The University chapter enrollment is one of the largest in the country and has a wide-reaching impact. One project currently funded through the University chapter provides housing assistance for children of sex workers in a rural region of India. Another provides funding to an area in India that has less than a 30% literacy rate among its children.
“We as a chapter support three schools in India,” Ponugoti said. “We fund everything from admin costs to books and clothing.”
Ticket sales for Holi through Asha are the organization’s biggest source of funds. Co-President Eshaan Tibrewala, senior in Engineering, said Holi raises $25,000 to $30,000 every year, and almost all of the money goes to schools in India.
In addition to Asha’s cause, it also strives to make Holi the best experience possible for anyone who participates. For six hours straight, colors flew among friend groups and strangers alike. Attendees left the event thoroughly covered in the six colors that make up the Holi celebration.
“Last year I also had to wash my hair like four times with shampoo and conditioner to completely get the stains out,” said Malini Pillai, junior in LAS and secretary of Asha for Education. “But if one day a year I have to take four showers to get them out, I still think that is totally worth it.”
Ponugoti urges people interested in volunteering or attending next year’s event to reach out.
“Anyone who is interested in volunteering with us should definitely reach out to us on our Instagram,” Ponugoti said. “And if you have a cause you would like to support just contact us.”
