Symbiosis– The name itself suggests a blend, an amalgamation that bears witness to the diverse culture of students from all around the Indian subcontinent. All round the year all these students spend their time in various diversified activities ranging from academics to extra-curricular ones. However, it is the festive season that unites us all through the chords of ‘Navratri’- the nine-day festival dedicated to worship of the Hindu deity Maa Durga. Navaratri or Navadurga Parva happens to be the most auspicious and unique period of devotional sadhanas and worship of Shakti (the sublime, ultimate, absolute creative energy) of the Divine conceptualized as the Mother Goddess-Durga, whose worship dates back to prehistoric times before the dawn of the Vedic age. The entire ‘India’ comes together on these 9 days and lets its heart out into the joyous and pious celebrations. A much awaited festivity for all, we the students at Symbi too, take this opportunity to get the entire Symbiosis fraternity unite through the celebrations on the campus itself. The celebrations start off with the ‘Durga-Aarti’on the very first day. Following that there comes off the sumptuous ‘Gujarati Dinner’ and ‘Garba Night’- all arranged heartily by the enthusiastic ‘Gujarati Pariwar’ @ SIC. And not falling far behind comes the ‘Bengalee DurgaPuja’ celebrations- that takes place one whole day including the delicious ‘Bengalee Dinner’ and wonderful cultural program by the ‘Bengalees of SIC’. All these celebrations are fun-filled and colorful so much so that one can hardly resist being a part of them. The mouth-watering delicacies, the lively performances, the holy ‘Aartis’ and the flaunting of colorful ‘Chaniya Cholis’ to the beats of Dandiya brings out even the geekest of geeks onto the grounds. However it is not to be overlooked in this context that at the backdrop of these happening events is a lot of efforts of the student community who plan out effectively the finest of the finer details pertaining to the arrangements of events- be it completing necessary college formalities, arranging for caterers or decorations of the atrium or arrangement of dresses for the festivities or even playing hearty music throughout the day, the enthusiasm and dedication of students knows no bounds. To add to the support of the students we have the really co-operative and supportive college authorities who extend their association in the events in whichever way possible. All the students at the campus join their hands together during this festive season to make the events come live and fun-filled to the core. Thus the ‘Navratri Preparations’ demarcates a real ‘Symbiosis’ of thoughts, ideas, enthusiasm, dedication and cultural persona of the multicolored and ‘United in Diversity’ Indian subcultures.
– Sreeparna
