Holi Fun Run is not just a game—it's a digital celebration of India's most colorful festival, Holi! Launched in 2021 by Desi Games Studios, this mobile sensation has taken the country by storm, blending fast-paced endless runner action with the joy, colors, and traditions of Holi.
From the bustling streets of Delhi to the quiet villages of Punjab, Holi Fun Run has become a household name among Indian gamers. It's where the thrill of running meets the warmth of Indian culture, making it more than entertainment—it's a way to feel the spirit of Holi all year round.
Whether you're a kid playing on your parents' phone or a grown-up taking a break from work, Holi Fun Run offers something for everyone. With simple controls, eye-popping graphics, and music that makes you want to dance, it's easy to see why this game has captured the hearts of millions across India.
The story of Holi Fun Run begins with a simple idea: to bring the magic of Holi to mobile screens. The developers at Desi Games Studios noticed a gap in the market—while there were many endless runners, none truly celebrated Indian festivals in a way that felt authentic to local players.
So, they set out to create a game where players could collect gulal (colored powder), dodge water balloons, and run through streets decorated with rangoli—all while enjoying the upbeat tunes of dhol and Holi songs. The result? Holi Fun Run, a game that feels like a mini-Holi celebration in your pocket.
The main character, Meera, is a young girl from a small town in Uttar Pradesh who's rushing to prepare for her village's Holi mela (fair). Along the way, she needs to collect enough gulal, sweets, and water balloons to make the celebration unforgettable. But it's not easy—there are obstacles everywhere, from stray cows to overexcited kids throwing water balloons!
What makes Holi Fun Run special is its attention to detail. The characters wear traditional clothes like lehenga-cholis and kurta-pajamas. The backgrounds feature Indian landmarks, from temple spires to village wells. Even the power-ups are inspired by Holi traditions, making the game feel deeply connected to Indian culture.
At its heart, Holi Fun Run is an endless runner, but with a Holi twist. Players control Meera (or other unlockable characters) as she runs through ever-changing environments. The controls are simple enough for anyone to learn:
• Swipe up to jump over obstacles like rickshaws or puddles of colored water.
• Swipe down to slide under low-hanging branches or makeshift stalls.
• Swipe left or right to switch lanes and avoid crowds or stray animals.
As Meera runs, she collects three key items: gulal packets (the game's main currency), mithai (sweets that boost your score multiplier), and water balloons (which act as power-ups). The longer you run without hitting an obstacle, the higher your score!
But don't worry if you're new—Holi Fun Run starts slow, letting you get comfortable with the controls before ramping up the speed. Even seasoned gamers will find challenge in later stages, where obstacles come faster and environments change more dynamically.
What's a Holi celebration without a little magic? Holi Fun Run features power-ups inspired by Holi traditions, each designed to make your run more exciting and help you go further:
You can upgrade these power-ups using gulal, making them last longer or work better. For example, upgrading Gulal Blast increases its duration to 25 seconds, while a maxed-out Rangoli Shield can take two hits instead of one.
Holi Fun Run takes you on a tour of India, with environments that showcase the country's rich diversity. Each location has its own look, obstacles, and surprises:
Village Lanes (Rural India): Narrow paths between mud houses with thatched roofs. Watch out for cows blocking the way, kids chasing each other with pichkaris (water guns), and farmers carrying bundles of hay.
The lanes are lined with marigold garlands and rangoli patterns, and you might even spot a local band playing dhol and shehnai in the distance. The ground is often uneven, so be ready for sudden jumps!
City Bazaars (Urban India): Busy markets filled with Holi shoppers. Dodge cyclists, street vendors selling gulal and pichkaris, and piles of colorful Holi supplies. The air is filled with the smell of jalebis and samosas from nearby stalls.
Look out for sudden crowds stopping to watch street performers—they can block your path! Sometimes, a truck loaded with Holi colors will pass by, spilling powder that temporarily blinds your view (but looks amazing!)
Temple Grounds (Spiritual India): Serene temple areas with marble floors and intricate carvings. Here, you'll avoid priests carrying offerings, devotees bowing in prayer, and stray dogs napping in the sun.
The temple bells ring as you run, and flower petals often fall from above. Collecting flower garlands here gives you extra points—they're considered lucky!
Festival Mela (Celebration Zone): The ultimate Holi environment! This is where the mela is set up, with Ferris wheels, swing rides, and food stalls. Obstacles include dancing revellers, moving rides, and kids running with lit sparklers.
The music here is the most upbeat, with popular Holi songs playing in the background. It's the most colorful environment too—expect lots of gulal in the air and people throwing water balloons left and right!
While Meera is the star of Holi Fun Run, there are many other characters to unlock, each with their own special abilities. You can get them by collecting enough gulal or completing special challenges:
Raju: Meera's younger brother, who's super fast but a bit clumsy. His special ability? He can duck under obstacles faster than anyone else, making him great for tight spots.
Unlocking Raju requires 5,000 gulal or completing the "Village Dash" challenge (run 500 meters in the Village Lanes without using power-ups).
Chachi Ji: Meera's aunt, who's a bit slow but very steady. She can push through small crowds without slowing down, which is helpful in busy bazaars.
Her special move is "Mausi's Hug"—if she hits a small obstacle, she doesn't stop, just keeps running! Unlock her by collecting 10,000 gulal or finishing in the top 100 of any weekly leaderboard.
Deepak: A college student from Delhi who loves parkour. He can double-jump, reaching high places where others can't. Perfect for collecting hard-to-reach mithai.
Deepak is a fan favorite among competitive players. Unlock him by completing 20 daily challenges or reaching a high score of 50,000 points.
Dadi Ma: Meera's grandmother, who might seem slow but has a trick up her sleeve. She can use "Blessing of Colors"—a power-up that automatically collects all nearby items for 10 seconds.
Players love Dadi Ma for her wisdom and useful ability. Unlock her by playing 100 times or sharing the game with 5 friends.
Each character can be customized with different outfits, from traditional wear to modern Holi-themed clothes. Outfits aren't just for show—they give small bonuses like extra gulal collection or longer power-up duration. For example, Meera's "Lehenga of Speed" makes her run 10% faster!
Since its launch in February 2021, Holi Fun Run has become one of India's most downloaded mobile games. Let's look at the numbers that tell its success story:
📱 Total Downloads in India (as of October 2025):
• Google Play Store: 6.8 million+ downloads
• Apple App Store: 2.2 million+ downloads
• Total: 9 million+ downloads across all platforms
• Peak Monthly Active Users (MAU): 3.2 million (March 2024, during Holi week)
• Average Daily Active Users (DAU): 650,000+
• Most Active Age Group: 13-35 years (78% of players)
• Gender Distribution: 55% male, 45% female (more balanced than most mobile games!)
1. Uttar Pradesh (22% of total players)
2. Maharashtra (18%)
3. Delhi NCR (15%)
4. Gujarat (10%)
5. Karnataka (8%)
6. Tamil Nadu (7%)
What's interesting about Holi Fun Run is its seasonal popularity. Every year, in the months leading up to Holi (January to March), downloads and active users spike by 400-500%! For example, in February 2024, the game saw 1.2 million new downloads—five times more than the average month.
This isn't just a one-time trend. The game's retention rate is also impressive: 52% of players return after 7 days (well above the industry average of 30% for endless runners), and 28% stick around for 30 days. Developers credit this to regular updates, festive events, and the game's ability to make players feel connected to their culture.
Another key metric is the game's "session length"—the average time players spend per session. For Holi Fun Run, this is 7.2 minutes, which is high for a mobile game. Players often report playing "just one more run" before putting their phones down!
Indians love Holi Fun Run—and it shows in the reviews! The game has an average rating of 4.7 stars on Google Play (from over 150,000 reviews) and 4.8 stars on the App Store (from 75,000+ reviews). Let's dive into what players are saying:
Most reviews praise the game's cultural authenticity and fun gameplay. Many players say it feels like "celebrating Holi every day" and appreciate how it represents Indian traditions accurately.
Sneha Patel, Ahmedabad
"I wait for Holi all year, but with Holi Fun Run, I can enjoy the festival anytime! The colors, the music, even the little details like the jalebi stalls—everything feels so real. My kids now ask me about Holi traditions because of this game. 5 stars without a doubt!"
Aarav Singh, Lucknow
"Best endless runner I've played! The controls are super smooth, and I love that the characters aren't just generic—they look like people I see in my village. The power-ups are creative, and I always try to beat my high score. Great job to the developers!"
Priyanka Rao, Hyderabad
"What I love most is that it's not just for kids. I'm 32, and I play it every day during my lunch break. The regional variations are a nice touch—when I visited Chennai, I saw the same kolam patterns in the game that I saw on the streets there. So cool!"
Players also appreciate the game's accessibility. Many mention that it's easy to learn but hard to master, making it perfect for both casual players and those who love a challenge. The inclusion of multiple Indian languages is another big hit—players say it makes the game feel "like it's made for us."
No game is perfect, and Holi Fun Run has its share of constructive feedback. The most common issue players mention is ads:
Vivek Kumar, Patna
"I love the game, but the ads can be annoying. Sometimes after every run, there's a 30-second ad. I'd happily pay 50 rupees to remove ads forever. Please add that option!"
Other suggestions include adding more characters, especially from Northeast India, and expanding the environments to include more regional landmarks. Some players also want more challenging modes for experienced runners.
Anjali Nair, Kochi
"Great game, but I wish there was a Kerala-specific environment—maybe with backwaters or Onam elements? Also, more female characters with unique abilities would be nice. Still, I play it daily!"
The developers have been responsive to this feedback. In the 2024 update, they added an ad-free subscription option (for ₹49/month) and introduced a new character from Assam, "Jahnvi," who can glide over obstacles using a traditional gamosa (scarf).
India is a land of diversity, and Holi Fun Run embraces this fully with localized versions that feel personal to players from different regions. It's not just about translating text—it's about capturing the unique essence of each part of India.
Holi Fun Run supports 15 Indian languages, more than most mobile games in the country. This includes:
• Hindi (the most widely used)
• Bengali
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Marathi
• Gujarati
• Kannada
• Malayalam
• Punjabi
• Odia
• Assamese
• Urdu
• Konkani
• Manipuri
• Nepali
The localization isn't just surface-level. For example, in the Punjabi version, Meera says "ਹੋਲੀ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ, ਜੀ!" (Happy Holi, dear!) when she collects a power-up. In the Tamil version, she exclaims "பொங்கல் போல் மகிழ்ச்சி!" (Joy like Pongal!) during special events.
Voiceovers are also done by local artists, ensuring authentic accents and intonations. Players often comment that hearing their mother tongue in the game makes it feel "more personal and亲切 (warm)."
While Holi is the main theme, Holi Fun Run celebrates other regional festivals too, with events that change based on where you're playing from:
In West Bengal, during Durga Puja, the game transforms with:
• Pandal-themed obstacles (colorful temporary temples)
• "Dhunuchi Dance" power-up (Meera dances like in Durga Puja, making obstacles move out of the way)
• Background music featuring traditional Bengali puja songs
In Tamil Nadu, during Pongal, players enjoy:
• Special "sugarcane" collectibles that give extra points
• Obstacles like decorated bulls (jallikattu-inspired)
• Environments with beautiful kolam patterns on the ground
In Punjab, around Lohri, the game includes:
• Bonfire obstacles (jump over them for bonus points)
• "Bhangra Boost" power-up (Meera does a bhangra dance, making her run faster)
• Characters wearing traditional Punjabi clothes like phulkari dupattas
In Kerala, during Onam, players can:
• Run through backwater environments in a boat (instead of on foot!)
• Collect "pookalam" (flower rangoli) for power-ups
• Avoid "snake boat" obstacles during the race
The game's environments change subtly based on your region, making Holi Fun Run feel like it's set in your own neighborhood:
In North India (Uttar Pradesh, Delhi), the Village Lanes have:
• Mud houses with colorful doors and windows
• Street vendors selling "gajar ka halwa" and "jalebi"
• Cows and buffaloes wandering the lanes
In South India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka), the same Village Lanes feature:
• Houses with tiled roofs and coconut trees in the yard
• Vendors selling "vada pav" and "filter coffee"
• Temple gopurams (towers) in the distance
In East India (West Bengal, Bihar), the City Bazaars have:
• Narrow lanes with hand-pulled rickshaws
• Stalls selling "puchka" (panipuri) and "jhal muri"
• Colorful hand-painted signs in Bengali script
In West India (Gujarat, Maharashtra), the City Bazaars include:
• Wide streets with scooters and auto-rickshaws
• Stalls selling "vada pav" and "dhokla"
• Marathi or Gujarati movie posters on walls
Indian players have spent hours mastering Holi Fun Run, and they've shared their best strategies to help you score higher and progress faster. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned runner, these tips from the community will help you improve:
• Focus on survival, not score: When you're new, don't worry about collecting every gulal. Just try to run as far as possible without hitting obstacles. As you get better, you can start chasing high scores.
• Learn the obstacle patterns: Each environment has predictable obstacles. For example, in Village Lanes, a cow is almost always followed by a kid with a water gun. Once you learn these patterns, you'll avoid them easily.
• Save power-ups for tough spots: Don't use your Gulal Blast as soon as you get it. Wait for sections with lots of obstacles—like the crowded mela areas—to get the most use out of it.
• Play daily for rewards: The game gives daily login rewards, including free gulal and power-ups. Even a 5-minute daily play can help you accumulate resources faster.
• Start with Meera: While other characters look fun, Meera is the most balanced for beginners. Unlock others once you've mastered the basics.
• Chain mithai collections: To get Sweet Frenzy quickly, look for groups of mithai. Collecting 10 in a row is easier when they're clustered together, and the boost will help you collect more gulal!
• Upgrade the Rangoli Shield first: Most intermediate players agree—this power-up is the most useful. Upgrading it to level 3 (which takes 8,000 gulal) lets you survive two hits, which can double your run length.
• Memorize environment transitions: The game switches environments after 1,000 meters. Learn what to expect—for example, Village Lanes often transition to Temple Grounds, which have more low obstacles. Prepare to slide more!
• Use character abilities wisely: Raju's fast slide is great for City Bazaars (lots of low stalls), while Deepak's double-jump shines in Temple Grounds (high obstacles like temple bells).
• Participate in events: Event rewards are better than regular runs. Even if you're busy, play a few event runs daily—you'll get exclusive outfits and more gulal.
• Perfect your lane switching: Pros switch lanes at the last possible second to collect hard-to-reach items. Practice this in slower environments first—you'll be surprised how much it boosts your score!
• Maintain "Festival Streaks": Run 200 meters without hitting obstacles to activate a Festival Streak, which increases your score multiplier by 100%. Keep it going as long as possible for massive scores.
• Time power-ups for maximum effect: Use Sweet Frenzy right before a Gulal Blast—you'll collect all the gulal from the cleared obstacles, plus any nearby items. It's a combo that can net you 500+ gulal in one go!
• Study leaderboard replays: The top players' replays are visible in the game. Watch them to learn new routes and techniques—you'll pick up tricks you never thought of!
• Customize for your playstyle: If you're an aggressive player, use Deepak with the "Parkour Outfit" for higher jumps. If you're more defensive, Chachi Ji with the "Mausi's Sari" (extra shield strength) is better.
• Play during off-peak times: Pro players say it's easier to get high scores in leaderboards during early mornings (5-7 AM) or late nights (11 PM-1 AM), when fewer skilled players are competing.
One of the biggest reasons Holi Fun Run stays popular is its calendar of exciting events, tied to Indian festivals and seasons. These events add new content, rewards, and challenges, keeping the game fresh all year round.
Running for 3 weeks every February-March (leading up to Holi), this is the game's flagship event. It's when Holi Fun Run truly comes alive:
• New "Mela Grounds" Environment: A massive festival area with Ferris wheels, dance stages, and food stalls. The colors are brighter, and the music is non-stop Holi hits like "Rang Barse" and "Holi Ke Din."
• Special Power-Ups: "Colors of Joy"—turns all obstacles into colorful explosions that give bonus points, and "Bhang Thandai"—slows down time for 30 seconds (yes, it's inspired by the traditional Holi drink!)
• Community Challenge: All players work together to collect 5 billion gulal packets. If they succeed, everyone gets a free "Golden Gulal" outfit for Meera, plus 10,000 free gulal.
In 2024, players completed the challenge in just 5 days! Over 2.5 million players participated daily, making it the game's most successful event ever.
• Daily Mini-Games: Like "Water Balloon Toss" (throw balloons at targets for rewards) and "Rangoli Maker" (trace patterns for power-ups).
Every October-November, Holi Fun Run gets a Diwali makeover. This 15-day event is all about lights, sweets, and joy:
• Diya Collection: Players collect oil lamps (diyas) to light up a virtual village. Lighting 100 diyas unlocks a "Lakshmi Blessing" power-up that doubles gulal collection for 24 hours.
• Firecracker Obstacles: Avoid exploding crackers, but collect "green crackers" (eco-friendly ones) for bonus points. The developers added this to promote sustainable Diwali celebrations!
• Rangoli Trails: Running over colorful rangoli patterns gives temporary invincibility. They're placed in tricky spots, so only skilled players can use them effectively.
• Special Guest Character: In 2024, players could unlock "Lakshmi Ji" (the goddess of wealth) as a playable character, who leaves a trail of coins wherever she runs.
The game also hosts smaller events for regional festivals, making players from every part of India feel included:
Pongal Harvest (Tamil Nadu):
A 7-day event where players collect rice bundles and sugarcane. The environment is a village farm with decorated bulls and pongal pots. The top reward is a "Harvest King" outfit for Raju.
Bihu Bonanza (Assam):
Celebrating Rongali Bihu, this event features traditional Bihu dance moves as power-ups. Players run through lush green fields and collect "jaapi" (traditional hats) for rewards. The special character is "Bohag," a farmer who can jump over large obstacles using a bamboo stick.
Gurpurab Grace (Punjab):
Honoring Sikh gurus' birthdays, this event takes place in a gurdwara (temple) environment. Players collect "prasad" (holy food) and avoid crowds of devotees. The "Guru's Blessing" power-up makes all items magnetize toward you for 15 seconds.
Onam Ocean (Kerala):
A water-based event where players run through backwaters in a traditional boat. Collect "pookalam" flowers and avoid other boats. The top reward is a "King Mahabali" outfit, which makes you invincible to water obstacles.
Holi Fun Run isn't just a game—it's a community. Players from across India connect over their love for the game, sharing tips, celebrating high scores, and even making real-life friends. Let's look at how the community thrives:
The official Holi Fun Run Facebook group has over 400,000 members—one of the largest for any Indian mobile game. Here, players:
• Share their highest scores and screenshots of rare power-ups
• Post fan art of characters and environments (some are so good, the developers have turned them into in-game items!)
• Organize friendly competitions, like "Best Holi Selfie with the Game" or "Longest Run Without Power-Ups"
• Help new players by answering questions and sharing strategies
On Instagram, the hashtag #HoliFunRun has over 3 million posts. Players share gameplay videos, character customizations, and even real-life Holi celebrations inspired by the game. Many parents post videos of their kids playing, saying it's helped them learn about Holi traditions.
YouTube is another big community hub, with hundreds of creators making Holi Fun Run content. The most popular videos are "high score attempts," "event walkthroughs," and "character ability comparisons." Top creators have even been invited to beta-test new updates!
The game itself has features that encourage players to connect and interact:
• Friend Leaderboards: Connect with Facebook friends and compete for the top spot each week. The player with the highest score gets a "King/Queen of Holi" badge and 5,000 gulal.
• Clans: Join or create a clan of up to 100 players. Clans work together to complete weekly challenges (like collecting 1 million gulal as a group). Successful clans earn "Clan Chests" with exclusive rewards, like rare outfits or power-up upgrades.
The most popular clans have names like "Holi Heroes," "Gulal Gang," and "Mithai Munchers." Some clans even have their own WhatsApp groups to coordinate strategies!
• Gift Sharing: Players can send each other free gulal packets or common power-ups once a day. It's a small feature, but it builds a sense of community—many players say they've made friends by regularly sending gifts.
• Player Messages: After a run, you can send a friendly message to the player who beat your high score (like "Great run! How did you get so far?") or congratulate someone on a new achievement. It's all about positive competition.
Every strong community has its own traditions, and Holi Fun Run is no exception:
• "Gulal Goals": Players often set "gulal goals" for the week (like "I need 50,000 gulal to unlock Chachi Ji") and post updates on their progress. The community cheers them on!
• "Mithai Mondays": A tradition where players share their best runs from the previous week every Monday, with a focus on collecting mithai. The best one gets a shoutout in the Facebook group.
• The "Cow Curse": A funny inside joke about how the stray cow obstacle in Village Lanes seems to appear at the worst possible times. Players often post memes about "dodging the cow curse."
• Festival Meetups: In some cities, players organize real-life meetups during Holi or Diwali. They play the game together, share snacks, and even have small Holi celebrations—proving the game has brought people offline too!
The developers at Desi Games Studios are always working on new content for Holi Fun Run. Based on player feedback and their official roadmap, here's what we can expect in the coming months:
• Amar: A street vendor from Mumbai who sells Holi supplies. His special ability? He can call a "vendor cart" that clears a path of obstacles for 10 seconds. Unlockable by completing 50 event challenges.
• Leela: A folk dancer from Rajasthan. She can perform a "ghoomar spin" that makes her invincible to obstacles for 5 seconds. Perfect for tight spots!
• Krish: A young farmer from Punjab who can use his tractor to plow through large obstacles. This heavy-duty ability will be great for the new "Farmland" environment.
• Farmland Fields: A new rural environment with crops, tractors, and scarecrows. Obstacles include irrigation pipes, farm animals, and hay bales. Collectible items include fresh fruits and vegetables that give bonus points.
• Hill Station: Inspired by Shimla and Ooty, this environment features pine trees, toy trains, and misty weather. The mist will occasionally reduce visibility, adding a new challenge. Collect "snowflakes" (even in India!) for special rewards.
• Beach Carnival: A coastal environment with sand, waves, and beach shacks. Obstacles include beach umbrellas, stray dogs, and incoming waves. Perfect for summer events!
One of the most requested features is finally coming in early 2026: real-time multiplayer! Here's how it will work:
• 4 players race against each other in the same environment.
• You can use power-ups to slow down opponents (like throwing a water balloon to make them slip).
• The first player to reach 1,000 meters wins, but there are also rewards for most gulal collected or fewest obstacles hit.
• Multiplayer-only power-ups, like "Color Blind" (temporarily makes an opponent's screen black and white).
The developers are working to make Holi Fun Run playable for everyone:
• Color Blind Mode: New color schemes that make obstacles and collectibles easier to distinguish for players with color blindness.
• Adjustable Speed: A slider to reduce the game's speed for players who find it too fast.
• Voice Commands: For players with motor difficulties, the option to control the game using voice commands like "jump" or "slide."
Future updates will include even more regional content:
• New events for festivals like Vishu (Kerala), Baisakhi (Punjab), and Chhath Puja (Bihar/Jharkhand).
• More localized environments, like a "Goan Beach" and "Northeast Village."
• Additional languages, including Kashmiri and Sanskrit, to make the game accessible to even more Indians.
Holi Fun Run is more than just a successful mobile game—it's a milestone for Indian gaming. Here's why it's important:
First, it proves that games rooted in Indian culture can be hugely successful. For too long, many mobile games in India were just copies of Western titles with minor changes. Holi Fun Run shows that embracing local traditions, festivals, and languages can resonate deeply with players.
Second, it's helping preserve and promote Indian culture among younger generations. Many parents report that their kids ask about Holi traditions, rangoli patterns, or regional festivals because they've seen them in the game. It's education through entertainment!
Third, it's setting a new standard for localization. Instead of just translating text, Holi Fun Run adapts its content to feel authentic to each region. This level of detail is rare in mobile games, and other developers are starting to follow its example.
Finally, it's building a positive, inclusive gaming community. Unlike some online games that can be toxic, the Holi Fun Run community is known for being friendly and supportive, with players helping each other and celebrating each other's successes. In a world where online interactions can be negative, this is a breath of fresh air.
Holi Fun Run is more than a game—it's a celebration of India's colors, cultures, and communities. Whether you're a casual player looking for a few minutes of fun or a dedicated gamer chasing high scores, there's something for everyone in this vibrant, joyful world.
With its authentic Indian feel, engaging gameplay, and active community, it's no wonder Holi Fun Run has become a beloved part of India's mobile gaming landscape. It's a game that makes you smile, teaches you a little about Indian culture, and connects you with millions of fellow players across the country.
So what are you waiting for? Download Holi Fun Run today, start running, collecting, and celebrating—and maybe you'll even find yourself topping the leaderboards or making new friends in the process. After all, Holi is about joy, togetherness, and a little bit of chaos—and this game has it all!
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