Dasara

 Mythically, the stories associated with the Dasara festival come from both the Indian epics, Mahabharat and Ramayan. As per the Ramayan, it signifies the victory of the good over the (d)evil. Hence the Ravan-Dahan events, especially up North and in traditional folk arts. As per the Mahabharat, it marks the day the Pandavas ended their incognito hardships.

In Hindi, the Marathi Dasara becomes 'Dashahara'. In the context of this nomenclature, I suppose, both as a society and as an individual, we could re-define the festival. May be given the excessive identity politics these days, the rituals would have to continue, I suppose.

In addition, the 'dashhara' could refer to ten vices that we, as a society and as an individual,  could delete from our selves. If we can manage to cross at least one limit, one border line in our working, thinking, or what have you, that would be the real 'simmolanghan'/ the cross-over, the transcending of self-destructive habits.

Here let us mention a few of these horrendous habits. Let us keep on thinking through those habits and these changes on a constant, almost daily, basis. For example. as a society, different affiliations could at the least stop mocking each other. That would settle down troubled waters. 

Over-generalisation, yaking away/letting loose your tongue could be the other faults that need targeting, rather than targeting other innocent people. Such a change has to be indeed inevitable currently, i suppose.

At the individual level, a great deal of self-reflexivity is indeed necessary. So is transparency in daily dealings. Well, hope that many people would instil in themselves, self-discipline, i suppose. 

Any unusual idea would help us accept our self betterment programme and make it concrete, and float it asap. So put on your thinking caps (caps were once very necessary for the evening Dasara ritual) and reflect away on mitigating your faults. You have nothing to lose, but your cupidities!

Pratima@  We stand already improved when we recognise our faults, our foibles, and subtly start working on them to become better versions of our own selves.