Women in festive India

The festivals of 'Dushera' and 'Karvachauth' were celebrated in October. The spirit of festivals arouse the women; and the fasting was strictly followed by the women folks. Most festivals in India are 'women-centric' Women decorate themselves with 'mehendi' and colourful clothes. Consumerism has made festivals a costly affair. There is more and more commercialization of festivals like "Dushera sale" or "Diwali sale" (which is going on now). Gold is an important part of festive mood, so there is more buying of gold. With women becoming a major part of work-force, they have more power to spend than ever before. On normal months, women may spend Rupees.4000, but on festival months it would be more than double like about Rupees. 9000. Indian women derive great contentment in spending on festivals as it renews their bonds with the family and the community. Such social spending becomes a necessity for the continuation of the Indian culture and lifestyle. Modernism has not made psyche of Indian women to forget their cultural moorings.This kind of adherence to culture has become more and more costly given the bad state of the economy. What this shows is that women's income has increased, and they have become more powerful--power to spend. That is a positive sign. In future India, women will become more powerful.