Winning Essay Showcase (1)
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 Shakti, 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 ultimate representation for versatility. ‘Channeling my inner Durga’ does not mean waging an external war; it means embracing the divine capacity to hold multitudes, balancing grace with unyielding feminist resilience, & navigating the complexities of a multi-faceted, fast-paced life without losing one’s soul.
The most striking attribute of Maa Durga is her decennial capability— her ten arms acting in simultaneous harmony. Each hand holds a different weapon or symbol gifted by the Gods: the trident of action, the disc of intellect, & the conch of divine sound. Translated into the human experience, these ten hands represent the modern woman’s daily reality. We are simultaneously students, daughters, artists, writers, researchers, & creators. In my own life, channeling this energy means transitioning seamlessly from the rigorous discipline of classical dance (adavus) to the delicate emotional nuances of abhinayas, & then pivoting instantly into academic focus, reflective prose, or community storytelling. Society often warns women that spreading themselves across multiple passions will shift their focus. Yet, Maa Durga teaches us the exact opposite. True power lies in integration. Managing diverse responsibilities simultaneously is not a distraction; it is the living manifestation of the ten-armed spirit. Versatility is a woman’s innate superpower, proving that our capacity to create, protect, & survive knows no single boundary. Beyond versatility, channeling Durga is an unapologetic, deeply felt feminist stand. Invoking Durga is stepping into a timeless tradition that defies patriarchal confinement. For centuries, societal conditioning has tried to suppress women into rigid stereotypes: the docile homemaker or the silent subordinate.
Yet, Durga is the supreme power which emerged when the collective divine masculine failed to defeat injustice. She did not ask for permission to take up space but strongly commanded the battlefield. ‘Channeling my inner Durga’ means refusing to be diminished or used as a passive tool by those who lack integrity. It means recognizing the subtle politics of exclusion, whether in artistic spaces where gatekeepers attempt to hold aspiring voices back, or in professional dynamics where a woman's dedication is taken for granted. True feminism, much like the energy of the Goddess, requires standing firm in one’s self-worth. It is the refusal to let internal doubt or external backstabbing dim one's light. When a woman stands up for her boundaries, when she speaks the truth through her skills & actions, & when she protects her peace, she embodies the fierce, protective grace of the Mahishasuramardini. However, true feminine power is never loud or performative; it is deeply rooted in humility & inner stillness. The danger of stepping into one's strength is the temptation of ego—the illusion that we achieve things entirely alone or that our accomplishments make us superior. This is where the true test of a devotee & an artist lies. Behind Maa Durga's violent battle stance sits a calm, centered, & belligerent countenance. Navigating the bittersweet realities of life—experiencing the quiet disappointment of unsupportive mentors juxtaposed with the radiant, life-changing encouragement of true guides & a mother’s unshakeable presence—teaches the value of staying grounded. True strength means keeping one's feet firmly planted on the earth, refusing to let self-pride & boastfulness distort one's character. It is about trusting the Universe, offering one's efforts as pure devotion, & letting go of the need for external validation from those who cannot see your potential. When ego threatens to creep in, the inner Durga acts as a sacred fire, burning away pride & leaving behind pure sincerity.
To channel my inner Durga is a daily, conscious practice of awakening. It is a constant reminder that a woman never needs to substantiate which part of herself to hide. She can be an artist with calloused feet & an author with a pen; a daughter offering quiet prayers at dawn & a feminist raising her voice against discrimination & inequality. Like the ten hands of the Goddess, every role played, every challenge encountered , & every boundary defended adds to a harmonious whole. In a world that often attempts to clip a woman's wings, awakening the Durga within is an act of reclaiming totality—stepping forward with ten hands, an unshakeable spirit, & a heart rooted entirely in grace. As the acclaimed Bengali writer & feminist icon Mahasweta Devi eloquently asserted, “A woman is not just a body; she is a mind, a voice, & a force of nature.” Ultimately, awakening the Durga within is the realization that every woman carries this very unshakeable, divine force inside herself, waiting only to be nurtured.
1st Place Winner -
Aarna Bhandari
Every year, during Navratri, we worship Goddess Durga and celebrate her victory over Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. On Ashtami and Navami, many families perform Kanya Pujan, honouring young girls as manifestations of the divine feminine. Yet, this beautiful tradition makes me wonder: if we can worship a girl as a symbol of divinity for a day, can we not respect her dignity throughout the year? Perhaps, channelizing my inner Durga begins with finding an answer to this question.
In Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga represents courage, wisdom, and the strength to confront injustice. Her battle against Mahishasura reminds us that evil must be challenged rather than ignored. Today, however, our battles are different. They exist in the form of gender discrimination and humiliation. Despite progress in education, laws, and awareness, women’s safety remains a serious concern.
This brings me to a contradiction that deserves reflection. We celebrate the goddess who embodies feminine power, yet some girls continue to face restrictions, prejudice, and disrespect in their everyday lives. The real question is whether the values we celebrate through our traditions are reflected in our behaviour. Kanya Pujan can remind us to respect girls, but that respect must extend beyond religious ceremonies into our homes, schools, workplaces and public spaces.
For me, channelizing my inner Durga does not mean becoming fearless or fighting everyone who disagrees with me. It means having the courage to speak against unfairness, the wisdom to distinguish right from wrong, and the compassion to support someone who feels alone. As a student, I can begin with small but meaningful actions: refusing to participate in bullying, questioning stereotypes respectfully, and standing beside someone who is being humiliated. I may not be able to change the entire world, but I can ensure that my own actions do not contribute to the problems I wish to change.
The truest way to honour Goddess Durga is not merely to celebrate her victory over Mahishasura, but to carry the values she represents into our everyday lives. A girl’s dignity should not depend on a festival, a woman’s safety should not depend on public outrage, and justice should not depend on how much attention a case receives. And perhaps, when the respect we offer a goddess becomes the respect we show every girl and woman, we will have begun to understand what it truly means to channelise our inner Durga.
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