Colouring Holi green: management students learn to make organic colours in Sanawadia
Colouring Holi green: management students learn to make organic colours in Sanawadia
In a step towards promoting eco-friendly Holi celebrations, 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 to prepare organic colours from natural sources.
Led by Professor Madhulika Choudhary and two faculty members, the group was received at the centre by its director Padma Shri Janak Palta McGilligan. She conducted a campus tour and later held a practical workshop demonstrating how to make dry and liquid Holi colours using flowers and fruits.
Students were shown simple methods to create plant-based colours that are non-toxic, biodegradable and safe for skin. The session focused on reducing the use of synthetic dyes during Holi and Rangpanchami, festivals often associated with chemical pollution and water contamination.
“Natural colours are safe for the skin, non-toxic and biodegradable,” said Janak Palta McGilligan during the session.
She also explained that adopting traditional knowledge and responsible consumption habits can significantly reduce environmental damage during festivals, according to participants.
Apart from the workshop, the students observed working models of water conservation, organic farming, waste management, and renewable energy systems powered by solar and wind energy. The visit offered practical insights into self-reliant living without dependence on conventional electricity and non-renewable resources.
Professor Madhulika Choudhary said the exposure helped students understand that sustainability is not just a theory but a daily practice based on conscious choices and resource efficiency.
For readers planning a greener Holi, the centre’s demonstration underlined a simple message: eco-friendly colours can be prepared at home using locally available flowers and fruits, reducing health risks and environmental impact while keeping the spirit of the festival intact.
