People in large numbers joined the “Durga Mata Daud” (run) expressing solidarity with each other and wishing a strong and better future for the younger generation. The run is organized annually by the Shri Shiv Prathisthan Hindusthan. The run is being organisd for the past 16 years, in the initial couple of years the response was quite meager and now about 30,000 people participate.
The run is part of the Navaratri celebrations in which people from all walks of life, including children and the aged, participate with the single objective of expressing solidarity with and inspiring the youth to lead a healthy life free from intoxication and other evils of society. The run is also aimed at inculcating patriotic and brotherhood feelings and motivating the youth to work for building a strong nation, both economically and culturally. Children garbed in the colorful costumes of Shivaji and his mother, Jijabai, and soldiers lead the run in a chariot.
All along the run one can hear cheers and loud drum beats and prayers to Goddess Durga. It proceeded on different streets and lanes of the city in the early hours of the morning. Children who rarely get up early after watching pogo and Cartoon network get up early and get ready for the run. The run is welcomed in each street by the Yuvak Mandals. You can see beautiful Rangoli’s put up all along the route of the run. Each day from first day of Navratri until Dasar the run is organized in different and predefined routes. Each day it is estimated that about 15,000 people participate in the run.
In this modern corporate world of Mumbai marathon and Delhi marathon, the scene here is also the same and well organized, only fact there are no corporates behind the arrangements.
Run Belgaum Run.
Hi Uday,
Thanks for posting such a wonderful article on your website. It’s really inspirable and that's why it’s Belgaum….I proud to be Belgaumite.
Today India is in most critical situation where it has to fight with its internal enemies and also with external forces. The only thing which can survive us is Unity in our country and youths are backbone of our country.
Durga mata daud is the one example to reunit our youths and our country.I would say every state should start similar events in their states at least for nine days a year. It will help to build our unity stronger and make our “Hindustan” stronger.
I missing my Belgaum very much and durga mata duad.
Thanks again Uday,