Dr Daisy Parihar
daisy.parihar@gmail.com
Every year, as Navratri arrives, households across India prepare to celebrate the feminine divine. Little girls are invited into homes, their feet washed, and they are offered food and gifts as part of Kanjak Poojan. They are revered as the living embodiment of Goddess Durga, symbols of purity, power, and protection. This tradition is among the most profound expressions of Indian culture, a reminder that the essence of divinity lies within the feminine form. Yet, once the festivities end, the reverence often fades, and the lived reality of women and girls in India stands in stark contradiction to the rituals we so lovingly perform.
If we truly respected girls as divine, would so many of them still live in fear? Would families still consider the birth of a daughter a burden, and why would discrimination in education, property rights, and opportunity remain so widespread? Discrimination often begins at birth. Despite awareness campaigns and legal safeguards, the arrival of a daughter is sometimes met with silence, disappointment, or even resentment. Sons are celebrated, while daughters are often seen as economic liabilities, a perception reinforced by social pressure and the dowry system. Though outlawed, dowry continues to fuel harassment, abuse, and, in some tragic cases, even death. Domestic violence remains a silent epidemic, endured in the name of family honor or social stigma, turning homes,supposed sanctuaries,into spaces of fear.
The most urgent concern, however, is safety. India has made enormous strides in technology, space exploration, and global leadership, yet crimes against women continue to rise. Thousands of cases of assault, harassment, and violence are officially reported, but countless more go unrecorded due to fear, stigma, or mistrust in the system. We Indians have not forgotten Nirbhaya, the daughter of India. She was brutally raped in a Delhi bus, where devils committed such a crime that humanity itself was shamed. Her story shook the nation, ignited protests, and led to calls for reform. Yet even years after her death, such crimes persist, proving that outrage alone is insufficient unless followed by systemic change, strict law enforcement, and a societal commitment to protect girls. Survivors often face judgment instead of support, asked questions that should never be directed at the victim but at the perpetrator. Until this culture of victim-blaming ends, society cannot claim to be safe for women.
The failure of justice compounds the problem. Cases of violence drag on in courts for years, forcing survivors to relive their trauma while perpetrators exploit loopholes to escape punishment. Fast-track courts, police sensitization, and survivor protection are essential, yet implementation remains inconsistent. Beyond the legal system, societal attitudes continue to stigmatize victims. Families worry about marriage prospects, neighbors whisper, and communities judge. No girl ever invites violence, and no girl should carry the weight of blame. The shame must rest solely with the perpetrator.
While these grim realities persist, it is impossible to ignore the achievements of women who have broken barriers. Women have excelled as scientists, leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, and changemakers. Figures like Kalpana Chawla, Mary Kom, and Indra Nooyi inspire generations. Urban women increasingly pursue higher education and careers, reshaping industries and contributing to national growth.
And yet, in rural and semi-urban areas, many girls are still pulled out of school, denied inheritance rights, or forced into early marriages. India may be reaching the stars, yet on the ground, countless girls remain denied the chance to dream. This stark contrast underscores the failure to translate symbolic reverence into tangible respect and opportunity.
The path forward lies in transforming both laws and mindsets. Education is the most powerful weapon against gender inequality. When boys and girls are raised as equals, when respect and dignity are taught in schools and homes, and when empathy is cultivated from childhood, we begin to dismantle the cycle of prejudice. Economic empowerment is equally critical, as financial independence enhances security and asserts a woman’s value in society. Policies must promote women’s participation in the workforce, provide skill training, and ensure safe working conditions. Legal reforms must be accompanied by social initiatives,accessible counseling, rehabilitation, community support, and awareness campaigns that penetrate deeply patriarchal regions. Most importantly, society must stand with women when they speak up, rather than silencing them in the name of “honor.”
True respect for women cannot be seasonal, confined to festivals or rituals. It must be lived every day,in homes, schools, workplaces, and public spaces. Worshipping girls during Navratri carries meaning only if their dignity is protected year-round. The spirit of the goddess is reflected not in offerings, but in the respect, safety, and equality we extend to every woman and girl.
India’s greatness will not be measured solely by the height of its rockets or the speed of its economy, but by how safe and empowered its daughters feel. Progress must be judged not only in achievements in science or technology, but in the elimination of fear, discrimination, and injustice in the lives of women.
In this journey of overcoming barriers, inspiring stories shine as a ray of hope. Miss Sheetal, a pararcher born without hands, faced the usual skepticism and pity from society, with people questioning how her parents would raise her. Yet she defied every expectation. Through determination, resilience, and family support, she rose to the top in her field and brought laurels to India, proving that physical limitations do not define success. Her story reminds us that with opportunity, encouragement, and belief, girls can achieve extraordinary heights, regardless of the challenges they face at birth.
If we truly wish to honor the goddess, we must move beyond symbolic reverence to genuine respect, empowerment, and protection. Only then will the message of Navratri shine not just in temples and homes, but in the lived reality of every girl across the nation.
The post Kanjak Poojan: The Paradox of Reverence and Reality appeared first on Daily Excelsior.