Navratris - A Dicotohmy

The Festival of Navratris, although very popular & widely celebrated, also brings out tremendous dicohotomies in our society & ourselves as well .. Being a Devout, HardCore Non Vegetarian Food Lover, these 9 days of abstinenc seems to much of a sacrifise isnt it..It is also a period, when heavy drinkers, also have to refrain from Consumption of Alcohol ....... Many also practice complete celbacy during these 8-9 days of Navratris...Vow.. Women could never feel so much respected in a society....Where women power is celebtrated with so much aplomb, fanfare & pride...Durga, Saraswati, Laxmi, Kaali, all forms of the Shakti or women power......

I have seen many Delhi & North Indian Families, end the last day of the Puja, or naumi, as its called, with a Kanjak Puja at home....Its a small Puja where 8-9 small girls, representing the Goddess, in its avatars, are worshipped for a brief period though....With the Traditional Praisad or Offerinngs of Halwaa, Puri, Ornaments..People aslo wash their feet with water to cleanse them before the ritual....Isnt it strange..In a Country, which is still struggling with the highest Crimes against women..... Rapes, EveTeasing, Dowry Deaths, Female Infantcides, Suppression, Torture..... Fat lecherous Traders or Lalas as they are called in Trade Circles, who keep staring at small girls, probably young enough to be their daughters, are the most eager paticipants in these ceremonies

One Report on the status of Primsry Schooling in India, stated that close to 50% of schools in Villages Offering Primary Education, dont have separate toilets for the Girl Child....The Girl Child, is not the Priority for Educationg in Poor families......