Cayman’s Indian community came together on Sunday to raise US $700 in donations for relief efforts in Ukraine as they marked the festival of Holi.
Shilpa Tagalpallewar Gampawar, organiser of the event and member of the Indian Community Group, said she was pleased by the response of the community in general to the festivities held at Dart family Park.
“I was overwhelmed to see so many non-Indians join in Holi. They said their kids enjoyed lot and they learned a lot about Indian festivals too. Actually they are the ones who made my event very successful,” Tagalpallewar Gampawar told the Cayman Compass.
Holi is the festival of colours and is held in India to mark the beginning of spring as well as the triumph of good over evil.
Canadian visitor Dana McKinlay said it was the first time she has played Holi and it will not be her last.
“This was the most fun I have ever had on a holiday. Normally it’s just sitting around, things are quiet and calm and this is 100 times more fun,” she said.
McKinlay was joined by her friend Daniella Ferreira who also enjoyed the celebrations.
“This is my first time doing Holi and it’s amazing. I have been trying to get to a Holi festival when I lived in Asia and it didn’t work out, so this is amazing,” she said.
Both women said they were also happy to be able to help raise funds for Ukraine as well.
“It is just incredible, any support that Ukraine can get during this time I feel it’s standing together as humanity… it’s all we can do,” Ferreira said.
McKinlay agreed, adding that she was trying to find something on island she could do to help Ukraine as well.
“It was amazing to see this all coming together at once,” she said.
Tagalpallewar Gampawar thanked everyone for joining in the festival celebration, now in its fourth year, adding that she looks forward to an even bigger response in 2023.
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