Hathras (UP), Mar 11: With the festival of colours 'Holi' round the corner, the colour-manufacturing units at Hathras in Uttar Pradesh are busy meeting the huge demand for colours from many parts of the country.

Those associated with this business are of the opinion that the industry is in a much better shape than it was a few decades ago.

"Today, the colour powder industry is doing well and the demand has jumped phenomenally. I clearly remember that 10-15 years back, colours were not much in demand. The gulal of Hathras is famous countrywide. It is always in huge demand during Holi and other celebratory occasions. Besides, colours are now categorised as herbal gulal, starch gulal, and topia gulal and come in attractive packages and at reasonable prices. We sell these in the market and people in large numbers use them," said Manoj Agarwal, owner of a colour-making unit.

People involved in the business say that the raw material for making the coloured powder is purchased from Andhra Pradesh, and then ingredients like starch and topia are added to it.

Colour pigment and water is also added and the mixture is then dried and ground into powdery form. This ground mixture is again dried with random quality checks. Later, perfumes and scents are added to lend an attractive fragrance.

All the three ingredients, topia, starch and corn flour are herbal products.

"Colours of poor quality are harmful for skin. Some people use sand and fertilizers to make colours. Colours of good quality are not harmful for skin. Chemicals are used in manufacturing colours, but they are not harmful for the skin. We don't use such harmful products in manufacturing colours," said Satish, a worker.

The owners of colour-making units reveal that the turnover prior to Holi is almost a six-figure digit.

Hathras has more than two dozens small and big industrial units catering to the nationwide demand while providing employment to hundreds of persons in the region.

Holi is the festival of joy, mirth and buoyancy, and is celebrated when both man and nature cast off the winter gloom.

Holi heralds the arrival of spring, the season of hope and new beginnings and marks the rekindling of the spirit of life. (ANI)