Asha for Education, a student run University group, hosted their fifth annual Holi Festival and raised 18,000 for underprivileged children in India.
Asha for Education’s chapter at the University was established in 1999, and its effort have grown throughout the years. This year’s festival, on April 16, over to 2,500 people came out to participate in this “Indian Color Festival.” All the proceeds went to schools and students in India who lack resources to obtain a better education.
Holi is a religious South Asian festival taking place during the springtime, celebrating the importance of love. Despite being a predominantly Indian Holiday, the University’s Holi Festival attracted a diverse group of people.
Sarika Malani, coordinator of the Holi event and graduate student in engineering, said the Holi festival only just started attracting people of different backgrounds. According to Malani, five years ago when the event first started up the numbers were significantly smaller ranging from 500 to 1,000 people and the participants were mostly South Asian.
“It is a unique event and not very many campuses practice Holi and not many cultures have an event like this,” Malani said. “I think when you allow people to openly, freely throw colors, with the music, colors and food, the idea of this event just appeals to people.”
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Based on Malani’s view, the growth in popularity in this Indian event is due to the popularity in color runs and other color events. Having color and being outdoors commemorates spring, for all people alike, she said.
This festival is not only a demonstration of culture for people unfamiliar with the Indian tradition, but it also helps South Asians get in touch with their roots.
Shrina Patel, a sophomore in LAS, partook in the Holi activities.
“I came out here last year and it was so much fun, people running around and throwing colors. And I never get to celebrate Holi at home, so it was a great opportunity,” Patel said. “I have always wanted to experience Holi the way they do in India, and this is a way to do that.”
For Patel, the event is a fun way of celebrating spring and also a cultural display. The throwing of colors was only a part of the event. Asha for Education supplied a variety of Indian foods and Indian performances, making Holi a large cultural event.
A volunteer and freshman in engineering, Charmie Patel, describes the difference between the celebration at home and the University’s event.
“There is so much to do so you really don’t have time to take a breath. And I kind of like that. It is a giant celebration as a festival of colors. It is such a fun festival to celebrate that everyone. No matter how old they are or what their culture is, can celebrate in this Indian cultural event.”
