Puri: In a unique initiative, the India-Japan Friendship Centre organised Holi celebrations on its Chakratirtha Road campus, where Japanese tourists enthusiastically took part in festivities. The visitors smeared colours on each other and even greeted passers-by on the road with colours enjoying the traditional celebrations.Japanese tourist Nachos Miyahara said the experience was memorable and something they would cherish for a long time.President of the centre Srimant Kumar Das said Holi symbolises brotherhood and unity beyond caste, religion and social barriers. “While some of the Japanese visitors were already aware of the festival, others were introduced to its cultural significance here. After watching people embrace each other and exchange colours, they also joined the celebration with great excitement,” he said.The tourists also conveyed a message encouraging the use of natural colours while celebrating Holi. The celebrations concluded with visitors enjoying a refreshing dip in the sea.
