CITY HOTELS TO PLAY DRY HOLI

City Hotels To Play Dry Holi

Mumbai: On the backdrop of an acute water shortage and farmer suicides, hotels in Maharashtra have decided to celebrate a dry Holi. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), the apex body of hotels of Western India, has advised its members to put up placards at visible spots in their hotels, strictly avoid water intensive celebrations like ‘rain dance’ and consciously engage in water conservation measures.

The association, urging members both in the capacity of individuals and as establishments, has asked hoteliers to respect the precious resource not just during festivities, but as part of their day to day routine. Holi or Dhulivandan also known as ‘The Festival of Colours’ falls on the 24^th of this month and is celebrated across the country.

Asking members to join together and pledge a commitment towards water conservation, Mr. Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI said that hoteliers question themselves whether they should be wasting water to have a colorful celebration of Rang Panchami at a time when India is grappling with back –to-back droughts. 

“Hence in an endeavor to create awareness about the seriousness of this issue amongst all HRAWI members; your Association requests you to do your bit to save water. It will save lives. You as Hoteliers and responsible citizens can play a pivotal role by taking a pledge of not wasting water during the festivities,” says Mr. Malkani in his communication to the hoteliers.

“The hotel industry is proactive and takes measures in every way to use resources conservatively. Whether with adopting newer technologies that are energy efficient or conserving water, we strive to do our bit. But the present water crisis demands more efforts. Our hotel industry has always reminded guests not to waste water with collateral reduce, reuse and recycle water conservation placards in washrooms for the past many decades. The message is loud and clear, for the present century water is one of the foremost challenging resource which has to be put to optimal use by aiming for zero wastage. Agricultural chain's dependency on water is therefore the key for our survival,” concludes Mr. Kamlesh Barot, past-President, HRAWI.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 66 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include smaller Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. The bulk of its members like any growth economy are made up of budget hotels. With around 1300 members across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa, and is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr. J.R.D. Tata.