When UNESCO included Kolkata’s Durga Puja in its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021, it was the trigger for us to celebrate the festival on a grand scale for the first time since the COVID19 pandemic and its lockdowns hit life in 2020.

We know that the time we celebrate Durga Puja is called Akaal Bodhon, i.e., the untimely invocation or worship of Ma Durga. Legend has it that it was started by Lord Ram when he was not able to defeat Ravana, owing to a boon from Ma Parvati. It is said that the actual battle took place between Ma Durga and Mahishasura in Chaitra when we celebrate Basanti Puja.

I have always wondered why Akaal Bodhon got more popular than the Basanti Puja, which remained more of a family festival than a public one. Maybe the climate has to do something with the adoption, as the September-October period, when Durga Puja is celebrated, is much more pleasant than Chaitra, the onset of summer. I will be happy if someone could help me with a reason given in the scriptures.

What amazes me the most is the philosophy behind the worshipping of Shakti. Be it the battle with the Asura King or Ravana, irrespective of whoever is fighting at the forefront, time and again our mythology reminds us that, during a grave crisis, it is the feminine form of humankind that needs to be invoked for the added power required to win over the adversary.

This philosophy aligns with that of VFS Capital, where we strongly believe that empowering the female member of the household through financial support and motivating them to start their entrepreneurial journey is key to fighting the adversity of financial woes. It is the woman who can take the entire family out of the crisis.

I have written a few times on the economic benefits of the Durga Puja festival on microenterprises. Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life as we knew it, and affected the micro-enterprises badly. But, hopefully, this year will bring in better sales numbers. I shall try and update you on the learnings, as I get the feedback from the ground.

Till then, I wish you Subho Bijoya and happy and prosperous times ahead.