Women empowerment a big theme at Durga Puja pandals

Goddess Durga is an epitome of women power and so it comes as no surprise that Durga Puja pandals are being built on the theme of 'empowerment.' In the national capital region, these pandals are a big success every year and they invite hordes of people, who come, sing, dance and enjoy there. Yet, each year there is a slight variation, this year some pandals in different parts of Delhi NCR have women empowerment as their themes.

There is one pandal in Gurgaon at the Maruti Vihar named as Maruti Vihar Sarbojanin Durgotsav (MVSD), which is also one of the oldest community of Bengalis in the city, have the theme of “India Let Her Live- Save the Girl Child.” This is inspired by the PM’s “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” programme.

“The theme was chosen to highlight the plight of the girl child, particularly in Haryana where female foeticide is still rampant. The lowest among all Indian states, Haryana's sex ratio shows that the mindset of the society has not changed despite the country's progress in different domains,” says Anit Kumar Ghosh, President, MVSD to NDTV.

He further told the channel that it’s not just the government that is responsible for bringing a change in the society, but the citizens of the country should also join in the efforts. The idols are a concept of Biswajit Majumdar, recognised sculptor and the dresses and the jewellery of the idol are being flown down here from West Bengal.

Some of the other pandals with a similar social cause is the pandal at Arambagh Puja Samiti named DuggAmar-Empowering women. The theme is in close context with Satyajit Ray’s movie “Pather Panchali.” Rather than having artificial idols, this pandal is going to have real-life Durgas.

It is about ending all kinds of violence against women. There are life size installations of Mother Teresa, Malala Yousafzai, Mary Com among others. “While we worship Durga, in reality most women are subjected to exploitation, violence and humiliation. Our puja is a silent protest against all forms of violence against women," says Abhijit Bose, Executive Chairman of Arambagh Puja Samiti., reports India Today.

They also called 50 women from Vrindavan to make them have a good time and so they could cherish the pooja forever. It is with such vigour and zeal that people here celebrate Durga Pujo.

Picture Credit- Indian Express