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The Diwali We Grew Up With: A Nostalgic Journey Back to the 80's by Dr. Mandeep Kaur

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  When life was simpler, celebrations were grander, and the warmth of family made every festival unforgettable.  Being an '80s kid is like carrying a treasure chest of memories that modern world can never truly recreate. We grew up in an era when technology had not yet taken over our lives, and happiness was found in the simplest of things. Our childhood was rooted in traditions, family values, outdoor games, and countless little moments that have now become precious memories.  My mornings began with familiar voice of my parents waking us up for school. After returning home, enjoying a freshly cooked meal and sharing stories about the school day with my elder sister was one of the simplest joys of life. We studied with the help of our textbooks, our own efforts, and the occasional guidance of our elder siblings. There were no smartphones, online tutorials, or digital distractions. Self study and the support of family were enough to help us excel in our studies.  Even...
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How important is it to support local vendors during Diwali by Anushree Bhattacharya

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    Diwali, the festival of lights , signifies the victory of light over darkness , hope   over despair , & prosperity over scarcity . Beyond its deep spiritual roots, Diwali  is an occasion of collective joy , marked by the exchange of gifts , the illumination   of homes , & the renewal of community bonds . In the weeks leading up to the  festival, city avenues, towns & neighborhoods undergo a vibrant transformation,  overflowing with pop-up stalls & street vendors selling clay diyas , handmade   torans , marigold garlands , rangoli colors etc. While modern retail chains & e commerce platforms offer automated convenience, the true soul of Diwali resides  in these local street markets . Supporting the local street vendors during Diwali is  not merely a gesture of seasonal charity ; it is an essential act of economic   equality , cultural preservation , & human connection which signifies the  genuine spi...
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Winning Essay Showcase (4)

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  We organized an Essay Writing Competition on the topic "Channeling my Inner Durga," and our winners have amazed us once again so today we are going to showcase their essays in front of you so that you can also witness the magic of their writing wrapped in devotion.  3rd Place Winner -  Akash Das  Title - October - The Radiance of Mother's Embrace  The radiance of October, The beginning of October, The month in which Mother Durga arrives, the month in which festivals reign. In the winds, the fragrance of mother's veil flows, in whose color mother's garden dwells, In these winds, after the raindrops, A zeal to do something different surges. This zeal is not of one person, it is the zeal of moments with loved ones, in some moments of life, forgetting every desire and every disappointment, Together we all worship the Mother. Somewhere you will call it Navratri, somewhere the arrival of Mother Durga, do you know this heart of Mother? A mother is a mother. Giving bl...
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Winning Essay Showcase (3)

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  We organized an Essay Writing Competition on the topic "Channeling my Inner Durga," and our winners have amazed us once again so today we are going to showcase their essays in front of you so that you can also witness the magic of their writing wrapped in devotion.  2nd Place Winner -  Munvi Bhandari  Every year, we celebrate the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. We admire her courage, bow before her divine power, and rejoice in the triumph of good over evil. We worship her ten hands, each holding a weapon or an object that represents her extraordinary strength. But have we ever paused to wonder what those ten hands could teach us about the battles we fight within ourselves? We often speak of Ravana’s ten heads as representations of human weaknesses and vices. Each head reminds us of a flaw that, when left unchecked, can lead us towards our own downfall. But what if we looked at Goddess Durga’s ten hands as a reminder of the ten strengths we can cultivate ...
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Winning Essay Showcase (2)

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 We organized an Essay Writing Competition on the topic "Channeling my Inner Durga," and our winners have amazed us once again so today we are going to showcase their essays in front of you so that you can also witness the magic of their writing wrapped in devotion.  2nd place Winner -  Thakur Daivik Singh  Title -  CHANNELING MY INNER DURGA: THE QUIET WAR, RESOLVE, AND THE AWAKENING WITHIN: My earliest memories of Durga are framed in the celebratory chaos of autumn—the rhythmic, heart-thumping cadence of the dhaak, the sweet bitterness of burning camphor, the mist of red vermilion in the crisp morning air, and the towering idol standing majestic under the glowing lights of the pandal. Ten arms bearing celestial weapons, a fierce lion poised in mid-stride, a fallen demon pinned under a lotus-soft yet unyielding foot, and across her face, an incomprehensible, still serenity. As children, we were instructed to fold our hands, bow our heads, and murmur prayers for ...
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Winning Essay Showcase (1)

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  We organized an Essay Writing Competition on the topic "Channeling my Inner Durga," and our winners have amazed us once again so today we are going to showcase their essays in front of you so that you can also witness the magic of their writing wrapped in devotion.  1st Place Winner - Anushree Bhattacharya In a society that constantly demands compartmentalization — telling  women to choose between being soft or strong , artistic or academic ,  quiet or commanding —the portrayal of Maa Durga stands as a  radical , divine rebellion. To picture Her is to imagine the divine cosmic  energy or S hakti , which is radiant , fierce , & multi-dimensional . In  sacred traditions, Maa Durga is depicted riding a lion, holding ten  distinct weapons in her ten outstretched hands. But beyond the sacred  iconography & the festive vibes of Sharodotsav, those ten hands  represent something deeply personal & profoundly modern. They are the...
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