Plucking marigold petals is not what mechanical engineering students of Jadavpur University in Bengal usually do. But in the run up to this Holi, that's precisely what they're doing, as part of an effort to manufacture and popularise the use of herbal gulal.

“The traditional colours available in the market are made of harmful synthetic components. They can cause skin diseases, blindness, asthmatic tendencies and even damage kidneys,” Technical Superintendent, Engineering Division of Jadavpur University, Asim Chatterjee explained.

The idea is to recycle flower waste from pujas and transform them into scented gulal, candles and even skin cream. And these herbal colours have already found a place inside the campus.

“We have played Holi inside our campus with these colours which are easily removable. After the classes when we go home no one can understand that we played Holi and enjoyed it so much,” a student at Jadavpur University, Ipshita Bhattacharya said.

The University is now seeking the help of West Bengal legislators to popularise the product in the rest of the state.