Let the Durgas Dance Forever

During Navaratri a few years ago, I was in Mumbai, travelling on a local train. Something caught my attention. Almost every woman was beautifully dressed, and all of them were wearing grey! I thought it was just a coincidence.

But the next day, something even more surprising happened. This time, the women were dressed in green. The day after, yellow was everywhere!

I asked a friend what was going on. He explained that each day of Navaratri is associated with a special colour, and women dress accordingly.

I was fascinated. Here were women juggling jobs, families, and countless responsibilities, yet finding the time and enthusiasm to dress up and celebrate.

What amazed me was that this enthusiasm continued despite their exhausting daily routines. 

Many women wake up early in the morning, manage household chores, prepare meals, get children ready for school and rush to work. After a long day at the office and a crowded journey home, there is still dinner to prepare and a family to look after. 

Yet, when Navaratri arrives, they make time to dress up, and celebrate. Their responsibilities haven't disappeared, nor have their worries. But they still find a way to make room for joy.

Then came the most memorable moment.

On Dussehra, I was waiting on the platform to board the Deccan Queen to Pune. I heard loud singing near the ladies' compartment. I turned around and couldn't believe what I saw.

A group of women had formed a circle and were singing and dancing Garba right there on the platform!

I was not the only one watching. Nearly a hundred men stood around, enjoying the sight. The women sang louder, clapped harder, and danced with complete abandon. No hesitation, no holding back. Just pure joy!

I stood watching, completely mesmerised. In that moment, I saw women finding joy despite the daily struggles they faced. 

To me, these women looked like dancing Durgas.

But as I watched them, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

What could go wrong?

What could bring these dancing feet to a sudden halt?

What if the family's main breadwinner suddenly loses his job?

What if he falls seriously ill or is no longer around?

What if a medical emergency eats into years of savings?

And what about the women themselves? Would they know where the family's money was invested? Would they know which insurance policies existed? What loans were outstanding? How to access the family's financial records? If they suddenly had to manage everything, would they know where to begin?

Had these women ever thought about such possibilities?

Would they know how to manage the family's finances if she suddenly had to take charge? 

Would they have the financial confidence to make decisions at a time when she might already be dealing with an emotional crisis?

We never know what tomorrow holds. Life can change in a moment, and the consequences can last for years. These are uncomfortable questions. But they are worth thinking about when life is going well, rather than waiting for a crisis.

Every Navaratri, I remember those women dancing on the railway platform. Their laughter, their energy, and their carefree celebration remain etched in my memory. And I wish they continue to dance through every season of life.

And achieving financial independence can keep their feet dancing forever.

Let the Durgas dance — today, tomorrow, and forever!

---

Pravinkumar Padalkar | ARN-179619

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