A bit of colour would go a long Holi way

The internet is right - India is not for beginners. The more things change here, the more we seem to cling to old stuff. In 2022, GoI dropped the genuinely popular and moving tune 'Abide With Me' from the Beating Retreat ceremony that was part and parcel of the repertoire since 1950, because it wanted to include non-English Indian songs. Earlier this year, the Indian Navy changed protocol to allow officers and sailors to wear kurta-pajamas in officers' messes and sailor institutes, as part of GoI's initiative to 'Indianise' military customs.

But come this Holi, netizens spotted a video of a BSF team organising a Holi mela in Srinagar. And, as is practice, the house band was playing some popular tunes for those who attended. So far so good. But what was the full team wearing for the Holi mela? Believe it or not, black suits, white shirts and - wait for it - red ties! It almost seemed that the team forgot it was Holi, which is all about non-subdued colours. Did the BSF band - also looking very, very sombre - think they were attending a board meeting of a PSU? How on earth can one celebrate spring in a black suit, white shirt and - yes - red tie? Next time, someone needs to remind BSF that Holi is not a red-tie event, leave the suits at home and embrace technicolour. And who wants ties - red or otherwise - to be tied to the past?