The article first appeared in The BBC on March 22, 2024
Shubhangi Sharma is set to host a Holi party later this month at her family home in an affluent part of Berlin. To celebrate the popular Hindu festival of colours, which falls on 25 March, the 34-year-old will spend around €200 (£171; $218) to cover the costs of the Indian food and sweets she will serve friends; she’ll buy the pricey Holi paint online; and wear the traditional clothes she bought as part of an earlier bulk buy during her most recent visit to her hometown, Delhi.