New Delhi: India's festival of colours, Holi was subdued on tuesday with fears of the coronavirus putting a damper on the usually boisterous celebration marked by the throwing of colours.
The two-day spring festival is an of colours, with people smearing each other’s faces with different holi colours.
But the coronavirus, which has infected nearly 40 people in India, kind of spoiled the fun this year.
“Avoid participating in large gatherings,” the Ministry of Health said in notice warning of the danger of the virus, while wishing everyone a “Happy and Safe Holi”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said he would not celebrate Holi this year. Shopkeepers said rumours that the coloured powders and dyes revellers use in the festival were imported from China had hurt their sales.
