Known for their lavish Holi bashes in the vicinity, this year, Navi Mumbai-based Bihar Navchetna Seva Samiti members have decided to keep celebrations low-key. Instead, the Samiti will utilise Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000 — otherwise used for organising entertainment programmes and delectable cuisines — in purchasing and donating food grains and household utilities to the drought-affected people in the state.

Registered in 2005, the organisation has been celebrating Holi for the last eight years. Every year, members are known to order 50 kg of Gulaal from their hometown. However, this year they decided to get only five kg to keep the essence of the festival intact. Rajesh Shreevastava, founder member and convenor of the festival celebrations, said, “At a time when people in our state are facing acute water shortage, it would be selfish on our part to celebrate the festival lavishly.