Celebrating Holi with Natural Colors: A Week-Long Training Concludes in Sanawadia
A Colorful Conclusion to Holi Training
Sanawadia (Indore), February 27, 2026 - The week-long training on natural colors for Holi, organized by the Jimmy Magilligan Center for Sustainable Development, founded by Padma Shri awardee Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan, has successfully concluded with a vibrant celebration.
The final day commenced with a Saraswati Vandana performed by Gujarati Arts, followed by a Bahá'í prayer led by La College and Janak Didi. A student from Arunabh Autism School captivated everyone with the mythological tale of Prahlad and Holika.
Janak Didi welcomed the chief guest, Dr. Prateek Srivastava, Editor-in-Chief of Digiana News Indore and a professor at Gujarati College, along with his students and faculty, as well as special students from Arunabh Institute.
She expressed, “My life is dedicated to the human birth given by God. We must protect all living beings. Festivals should be celebrated with respect for nature. For the past 15 years, I have been conducting training on natural colors before Holi in Sanawadia, ensuring everyone can enjoy a healthy and joyful celebration.”
Participants included students from Devi Ahilya University’s Social Sciences and Journalism Department, Akropolis Rotaract, Prestige Institute, Gujarati Law and Arts College, IATV School, and individuals of all ages from Sanawadia.
The training showcased how to create colors using readily available materials: orange from tesu flowers, black from poi, orange from peels of oranges and seasonal fruits, and tilak from saffron-red of parijat, along with colors from palash, bougainvillea, and beetroot. Janak Didi emphasized that these colors are harmless to health and the environment, unlike chemical colors that can damage skin and clothing and pollute water and soil.
Dr. Prateek Srivastava remarked, “Padma Shri Janak Didi, who has dedicated her life to tribal women and villages, is an inspiration for us all. I have been associated with her since 1985 and am deeply influenced by her commitment to nature. I urge the students present here to live a life dedicated to the environment, away from the virtual world of mobile devices. We pledge to celebrate this Holi with natural colors and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.”
This training has proven to be a significant step towards environmental conservation and sustainable development, reflecting Janak Didi's life philosophy.