Navratri* Nights and the Cardiac Arrest

By Ishmeet Kaur Chaudhry

Two years down the outbreak of the pandemic

navratri celebrations returned to its full lore this year

rather more than ever before

They danced to the tunes of the garba* beats

matched steps

synching with the groups

They wore colourful dresses

adorned beautiful jewellery

took selfies at every selfie point

Two years down the outbreak of the pandemic

navratri celebrations were not the same for all

though it returned to its full lore, not every heart rejoiced.

Some hearts mourned the passing away of their loved ones

increased cardiac arrest cases amongst the young

an after effect of the Covid 19, they say.

The newspapers also reported that innumerable people

succumbed to the crazy sudden cardiac arrests

while dancing on the garba grounds itself.

Two years down the outbreak of the pandemic

navratri celebrations were crazy

too loud and noisy

The sounds of the songs

pierced the ears of those who mourned their loved ones

while many synched their steps to the up-roaring beats

This year the numbers of those who succumbed

suddenly to cardiac arrests is massive

massive crowds at the garba grounds too

Two years down the outbreak of the pandemic

there is no peace, only stress, cardiac arrest, heart failures and heart attacks

even though the steps synchronised

*Navratri refers to the celebrations in Gujarat, India, when people perform cultural dances for nine nights. Garba is the name of the traditional dance of Gujarat.

By Ishmeet Kaur Chaudhry