“Pass kadhavyo?” The most frequent question one answers now a days. The time has come. Nights are about to get longer. They may call it Tomorrowland of Gujarat, for us, it is our very own United Way na Garba. The place turns magical for 9 nights. So many memories attached with just 9 nights, one garba ground. There are friends you just meet during Garba, there are friends whom you call friends just for Garba. Deciding color codes for each night to getting dressed together to who’s going to car pool to deciding the meet up point; it is just the beginning. Not to forget, these are the nights where a lot of sparks fly. New crushes, who’s hot and who’s not wink emoticon And then, with Faagan Aavyo, you just can’t stop yourself from entering the ground and swoon to the magician Atul Kaka’s melodious voice. You’ve died since a year to listen “Chalo Beta”, shout “Hove Hove” and see the beauty of decoration as the lights get dim during “Aadha hai chandrama”. And you’re ecstatic with the last “Ae haa” at the end of each night. Not to forget what lies ahead is food hogging and night outs. You can feel a tinge of cold in the weather and it’s just perfect! Also, parents don’t complain if you’re late to reach home(fringe benefits of traffic) You’re high on colors, music and Garba, and the hangover is going to last long. It’s a yearly pattern, but wherever we Barodians are, we will agree that no where in the world can there ever be Navratri celebrations as they’re at Baroda’s United Way! Navratri toh Baroda ni j la!
-Vidhi Patel
