For the first time in three years, Holi will not be tempered by the spectre of Covid.
Kolkata is ready for the festival of colours, but anyone who is unwilling to get smeared in colours has the right to say no.
At the Holi Bazar in Burrabazar, colourful masks and elaborate headgear sold briskly. As did water guns with multiple barrels.
Guns that sprayed gulal are in demand this year, said traders.
Children crowded Holi markets, from Burrabazar in the north to Golpark in the south.
Sweet shops in Burrabazar were also busy as people waited in queues to buy barfis, gujiyas and laddus.
Before saying Holi Hai, here is what you need to know:
What constitutes an offence during Holi?
⚫ Sprinkling colours on someone unwilling to play
⚫ Touching someone inappropriately while playing Holi
⚫ Throwing colours from windows or terraces
Can I throw balloons filled with coloured water on people?
No. It is illegal because revellers do not take the consent of those being targeted. Also, throwing balloons at passers-by can result in injuries.
What to do if someone forcibly tries to play Holi with me or stalks me on bikes?
Immediately call the emergency police helplines — 100 and 22143230 — in case of any harassment. Senior officers said “elaborate arrangements” have been made to secure the roads and ensure no one is harassed.
Students of Patha Bhavan Montessori and primary department celebrated Basanta Utsab on the school’s Palm Avenue campus on Monday. The Telegraph
Is it all right to drink and drive on Holi?
No. Police will undertake special drives to curb drink and reckless driving. The cops will also look out for those riding bikes without helmets.
Is Holi a dry day?
Tuesday will be dry day till 2pm.
Bars are expected to serve liquor after 2pm but off-shops are unlikely to open before evening.
Alcohol can be ordered online after 2pm but since many shops might not open at all, there could be trouble finding your poison.
Children with special needs from the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy celebrate Basanta Utsab. The Telegraph
Can I visit a mall?
Quest, South City, Acropolis and City Centre Salt Lake will open at 4pm. Restaurants, bars and plexes at the malls will also open at the same time.
Can I plan a lunch with friends or family?
Most restaurants, other than those in malls, should open for lunch.
Students of Patha Bhavan Montessori and primary department celebrated Basanta Utsab. “We wanted it to be an integrated celebration,” said teacher-in-charge Kankana Das Gupta. The Telegraph
Will there be public transport?
⚫ App cab operators said they would keep their services normal. But expect fewer cars and brace for a surge in fares
⚫ There will be a few metered taxis till afternoon, after which their count will increase
⚫ Buses are expected to ply early in the morning and again from late afternoon
⚫ On Tuesday, Metro Railway will run 60 services on the New Garia-Dakshineswar corridor (Blue Line), instead of the usual weekday count of 288.
What will be the Metro schedule?
⚫ The first trains will leave the terminal stations at 2.30pm.
⚫ The timings of the last trains have not been changed. The last trains will leave Dum Dum and New Garia at 9.40pm and Dakshineswar at 9.28pm.
⚫ On the truncated East-West corridor, the carrier will run 22 trains, instead of 106, between Sealdah and Sector V on Tuesday. The first and last trains will leave the two stations at 3pm and 8pm, said an official.
How will the weather be?
Expect a hot, sunny and dry day.
