Covid-19 effect! Hindu to miss Damdami Mai puja?
The most famous tree in Delhi University aka Virgin Tree at Hindu College is the site for the annual Damdami Mai puja every Valentine’s Day (February 14). Students from the boys’ hostels on campus flock around it, believing the popular myth that worshipping the tree on V-Day will help them fall in love within six months and lose their virginity in one year. Some students raised objections to this “misogynistic” practice, and even tried to halt it. But what the protestors couldn’t do, apparently Covid-19 has done!
“Since the hostel is closed, elections to the hostel core committee could not be held. And without a committee, organising an event on campus seems impossible... Plus, it’ll be hard for the outstation hostellers to return and organise the event,” says Ajay Deswal, a BCom (Hons) student.
Many are dejected at just the thought of missing out on this much awaited ritual. “Hindu College is known for this puja! Last year, a poster of Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh as Damdami Mai and Love Guru was put up after much chaos. It’s fun to see all the preparations on campus,” says Iba, a second-year student.
Even freshers were pumped to attend. “There’s so much our seniors tell us about Damdami Mai and Love Guru. I was looking forward to experiencing it myself; a more inclusive version of it. Par kismat mein hi nahin hai shayad... Hope the seniors come up with a digital alternative,” says a first-year student on condition of anonymity.
But some students feel that the celebrations might still happen, except on a smaller scale. “You never know, some students might still try to assemble in small numbers to celebrate it, in order to not break the tradition...,” says Pooja Santosh, second-year student of the college.
STUDENTS HOPE FOR EITHER A DIGITAL VERSION OF THE ANNUAL EVENT OR A SMALL-SCALE CELEBRATION TO NOT BREAK THE TRADITION