Most people are possibly not much aware of the fact that to begin work on the idol of Goddess Durga a little clay has to be collected from the home of a sex worker. This tradition has been followed as a socio-religious custom for the past several centuries across the Indian subcontinent. There are many interpretations of why this is being done. As per the Vedic scriptures, "Navkanyas" (nine classes of women) are to be worshipped along with Goddess Durga to make the Durga Puja holy and blissful. This is possibly a socio-cultural message across the spectrum to teach the masses that everyone is equal in the eye of the supreme creator (Almighty). The “Nati" (dancer) and the "Vaishya" (sex worker) are among the Navkanyas. We also celebrate the holy worship of the virgins; which includes the live worship of a young non-menstruating girl as an incarnation of Goddess Durga.

The virgin girl is symbolically believed to be the embodiment of the divine supreme power that regulates our life, work (karma), and destiny. No other religious tradition like Hinduism place such high respect and devotion for women in their social, cultural, moral, and religious practices. But yet across South Asia, girls and women are being grossly mistreated, severely abused, aggressively violated, and drastically marginalized even in this new millennium. We need to seriously think and introspect as to what we have learnt from our ancient traditions and practices over centuries.

The national crime record indicates a steady increase in crimes against women in every sphere of our modern life and society. ‘Molestation’ and ‘gang rape’ have transformed into our household vocabularies. Domestic violence against repressed and economically dependent women has been a constant feature in every daily newspaper published across the nation.

Gender discrimination, female infanticide, child marriages, dowry-related torture and deaths as well as death during childbirth due to lack of adequate healthcare, proper nutrition, and medication during pregnancy. Furthermore, gross ignorance and lack of awareness related to sensitive feminine issues have plagued our society for centuries. The exploitation of women in our society has forced the rapid rise of suicidal deaths of young girls and women of all ages is a serious dark spot in our society.

Let us take the oath during the grand celebration of Durga Puja, Dashera (Dasin), and the celebration of Navaratri across the nation to care for the girl child and respect women in every aspect of our sociology-cultural and economic life. A nation cannot proposer without the liberation and proper respect of the female gender. We need to remember that we are brought to this world by a woman, sustained and supported by a woman in our journey from childhood to becoming an adult; and that we worship women in our socio-religious practices.

Let us pray and work towards the betterment of the lives of helpless prostitutes, women destitute surviving on our streets, mentally and physically challenged women, and the women senior citizens. Let our society's deep and dark scars heal over time through our sincere empathy and earnest respect for women. 

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