Mumbai mayor hosts flower Holi event, calls for eco-friendly festivities
Mumbai (PTI): In a bid to promote sustainable festivities, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Tuesday hosted a 'Phulanchi Holi' (Holi of flowers) event, urging Mumbaikars to ditch chemical colours and avoid water wastage for an eco-friendly celebration.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) initiative, held at Rajawadi Garden in the eastern suburb of Ghatkopar in the presence of MLA Parag Shah, aimed to promote the use of flower petals and discourage the burning of hazardous materials during Holika Dahan.
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Speaking on the occasion, Tawde said festivals such as Holika Dahan and Rangpanchami should be observed with social responsibility and environmental consciousness.
"As the mayor of Mumbai, I wanted to send a message by organising 'Phulanchi Holi'. Citizens should avoid cutting trees for Holika Dahan and instead use dry wood, and plastic, tyres, rubber and chemically treated materials should not be burnt," a release quoted Tawde as saying.
She also appealed to citizens to avoid water wastage during the celebrations and to opt for natural and organic colours.
According to the BMC, the flowers used during the event were collected for processing into organic compost. The area was cleared immediately after the programme to reinforce the message of a "cleaner and greener" Mumbai, the release added.
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US rules out use of nuclear weapons against Iran
Washington DC: The White House has reportedly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, even as uncertainty continues over ongoing peace negotiations and a deadline set by US President Donald Trump approaches.
Issues bout a possible escalation had increased after US Vice President JD Vance said that the United States has “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” in dealing with Iran.
His remarks came amid rising tensions and ahead of a deadline linked to peace efforts.
The situation has attracted attention as Trump warned Iran that its “whole civilization will die tonight tonight” if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday at 8 pm.
This statement led to speculation about the possibility of extreme military measures, including a nuclear strike.
Following Vance’s comments, the White House issued a clarification distancing itself from such interpretations. In a post on X, it said, "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons." In a later statement, it added that “only the president knows” what action will be taken regarding Iran.
Literally nothing @VP said here "implies" this, you absolute buffoons https://t.co/7JU3wXMaWX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
