New Delhi [India], March 13: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the Asha Kiran Shelter Home on Thursday, where she celebrated the festival of Holi with the inmates. The Chief Minister extended her warm greetings to the people of Delhi, wishing them a safe and joyous Holi. She emphasized the significance of safety and water conservation during the festival, urging everyone to celebrate responsibly.
“I extend greetings to the people of Delhi on Holi. I hope it is a safe Holi and there is no wastage of water. I felt very good on my visit to Asha Kiran,” said CM Gupta during her visit.
Holi celebrations have begun across various regions, with the traditional Holika Dahan marking the beginning of the festivities. Cities like Mathura and Vrindavan are especially known for their grand Holi celebrations, including the famous Lathmar Holi, where devotees engage in playful festivities with sticks. In other cities such as Varanasi, Jaipur, and Delhi, enthusiastic crowds were seen smearing each other with vibrant colors while enjoying festive treats like gujiya and thandai.
Earlier this week, CM Rekha Gupta and Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena chaired a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to assess the capital’s hazard vulnerability and risk assessments. The meeting also reviewed key issues such as earthquake preparedness, urban flooding, and extreme heat events. The state heat action plan for 2025 was discussed, highlighting the importance of preparing for such challenges in the coming years.
The DDMA was found to be underprepared in terms of infrastructure, manpower, and technology. Delhi was one of the few states without its own State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor directed officials to expedite the availability of land and urged CM Gupta to address logistical issues that had been neglected by the previous government. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has agreed to provide the necessary technological support to help renovate and restructure the DDMA, which will also involve setting up a Crisis Coordination Center (CCC).