Past five o’clock in an October morning, faint chants of the Mahalay echo in the hills. The presence of gentle mist makes the surrounding saccharine. The seraphic smell of pure Ghee Diyas and floral incense sticks adds to it. Joyous beats of the Nagara resonates on the streets. The occasion offers not only a four-day-work-free holiday, but also the anticipated arrival of the symbol of protection and power - Maa Durga.

You must be wondering about the absence of synchronisation between the article’s context and the title, and which is why, reading it till the last becomes your top priority.
The history of worship of Goddess ‘Shakti’, has been traced all the way back to 9,000 – 8,000 BCE in central India. Representations of the Goddess have been found in stones and Yantras from ancient civilizations of the Son river valley. Her embodiment on Earth includes the creative potential of women and nature’s enchantment. Shakti resembles Herself in every female entity and vice versa.
From the past centuries, a question has been constantly arising - are we resonating our actions of admiration, stimulation, spirituality towards ‘Stree’? Sadly not!
How double faced are we, to happily light diyas for the arrival of our beloved Goddess, but blow it off at the arrival of a baby girl.
How double faced of us was it to devote ourselves to the Goddess of education, only to snatch away the right of touching a book from a girl.
How double faced of us was it to preach about the tales of valour and leadership, only to be critical of the rule of a queen.
How double faced of us was it to have a leader who would wash toilets to promote the rights of Harijans, but underestimate a woman’s rights to work out of the four walls.
How double faced of us was it to keep mum while a widower remarried, but an unfortunate widow was kept away from the joys and set her ablaze!?
Maybe that is why, we had icons like Savitribai Phule, Razia Sultana, Ahilyabai Holkar, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Rashsundari Devi, Pandita Ramabai, Kalpana Chawla, Sarojini Naidu, Kamala Sohonie, Hamida Banu, Kailashbashini Devi, Tarabai Shinde, Sarla Thakra, Cornelia Sorabji, Chonira Belliappa Muthamma, Anandi Gopal Joshi, Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, Lalitha Ayyalasomayajula, Pratibha Patel, Bhawana Kanth, Bachendri Pal, Mary Kom to defy the rules of patriarchy.
On this occasion of Durga Puja, I solemnly request each and every one of you to revive yourself not only Shakti Mata, but also the beloved women who helped you in cherishing every moment of your life. The words that I included in my article may be genuine, but not dispensable.
Jai Maa Durga!
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