Sometimes, the biggest change in a residential society isn't a new facility, a grand celebration or a beautiful decoration. It's the way people speak to one another.
Over the past few months, I have noticed a welcome change in the atmosphere at Orchid Harmony. We have had a new society committee for almost a year now, and one of the first things that has caught my attention is the tone of communication.
Questions are being met with positive and respectful responses. There seems to be less friction in everyday interactions, and a certain calmness is becoming noticeable in the society. (I am very good at observation 😊)
It may sound like a small thing, but if you have lived in a residential complex for any length of time, you will understand why it matters.
A society is not just a collection of flats, lifts, parking spaces and common areas. It is a place where people share their everyday lives. And when communication improves, the experience of living together improves too.
I am not suggesting that everything has suddenly become perfect. Every community has its differences, and a committee has plenty of practical matters to handle. But a respectful beginning is always encouraging.
And then came Navratri and Dussehra, giving us more reasons to look at our community life a little more closely.
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| Navratri, 2026, OH. Pic Credit - Deepali Avinash Pandey |
Navratri in Gujarat: A Memory From 2003
I still remember my first Navratri in Gujarat after coming here in 2003.
The celebrations I remember were simple, joyful and closely connected to the local culture. There was music, dancing and a feeling of participation. The charm lay in the celebration itself, rather than in how elaborate the arrangements were.
This year's Navratri celebrations at Orchid Harmony brought back some of that feeling.
For the first time in my experience of our society's Navratri celebrations, local folk songs played throughout the night. I particularly liked this aspect. Gujarati folk music has its own character, and it gave the celebration a cultural identity that felt refreshing.
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| Pic Credit - Ruchi Gupta |
In the last decade, I often felt that the Garba celebrations had gradually moved towards loud, filmi music, sometimes losing the very soul of the festival in the process. Garba is not just about dancing to a fast beat; it is rooted in Gujarat's folk traditions, devotion and community spirit. The traditional songs carry a cultural connection that goes beyond entertainment. That is why hearing local folk songs throughout the night this year felt so refreshing. It brought back a sense of authenticity and reminded me that sometimes, returning to our roots is the best way to celebrate a tradition.
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| Friends - My Support System in Society |
The event was essentially for the residents and their families, without outsiders being brought in to swell the crowd. It felt like a community celebration in the true sense: people coming together to enjoy a festival in their own neighbourhood, unlike the last few years.
We often assume that a successful event must be bigger, louder or more elaborate than the previous one. But perhaps the real charm of Navratri lies in its music, traditions and the pleasure of celebrating together.
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| With 2 heroines, ready to hit the floor. I am not a Garba enthusiast. |
Sometimes, less really is more.
What do you enjoy most about Navratri — traditional folk music, Garba, the decorations, or simply being with family and friends?
Write in the comments.
From Poori-Aloo to Fafda-Jalebi: How Gujarat Changed My Dussehra!
One of the biggest changes Gujarat brought into my festive life was Dussehra and its very special association with fafda-jalebi!
Coming from North India, my idea of festival food was quite different. Festivals meant pakka khana (UP style) — poori, kachori -aloo, kaddu, arbi, raita or dahi vada, etc. A festival without a proper poori-kachori kind of meal? That was difficult to imagine!
So, when I first experienced Dussehra in Gujarat, I remember wondering, “Achha, but where is the festive food? How can a festival feel complete without poori-kachori?”
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| The GarbaVibe |
For the first year or two, I did miss those familiar festive meals. But slowly, as they say, when you live somewhere, you begin to absorb a little of its culture, one delicious bite at a time!
And now, after all these years in Ahmedabad, my Dussehra doesn't feel complete without fafda-jalebi. What once seemed unusual has become a tradition I look forward to.
Perhaps this is the beauty of living in a different part of our country. We don't necessarily abandon our old traditions; we make room for new ones. And before we realise it, the two become part of our own story.
Fusion, after all, is a wonderful way to grow — in food, in culture and in life!
And here's a fascinating part of this Gujarati tradition. Fafda-jalebi is not just a festive favourite; it is big business too.
According to a report published by The Times of India in October 2024, Ahmedabad consumed an estimated ₹200 crore worth of fafda and jalebi on Dussehra that year.
For 2026, a report by The Economic Times published in October 20 cited an estimate that Gujarat's Dussehra fafda-jalebi sales could exceed ₹500 crore, with Ahmedabad alone accounting for an estimated ₹200 crore. These are reported estimates, not audited final sales figures.
Now, that is quite a lot of fafda and jalebi for one festival!
From my North Indian poori-aloo memories to my Gujarati fafda-jalebi tradition, my Dussehra story is a small reminder that sometimes the best part of discovering a new culture is finding something new to love—without losing what we loved before.
Tell me, what is the one festive food you simply cannot do without? Is it poori-aloo, gujiya, fafda-jalebi, or something else entirely? I would love to know! In Gujarat, Dussehra and fafda-jalebi are a familiar combination. For many people, the festival would hardly feel complete without this traditional treat!
Share your views. Let's start a conversation.
Dussehra in Orchid Harmony: The Fafda-Jalebi Lesson
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| Fafda, Jalebi And Me |
Compared with previous years, when the quantity of fafda-jalebi available was unlimited, this was a more structured approach. The distribution arrangements were planned, but there was one problem: the waiting time was much longer than expected.
From what I observed, the difficulty appeared to be with the pace of production rather than the basic idea of distributing packets.
It is a useful lesson for future events. Even a well-planned distribution system can run into trouble if the supplier cannot prepare the required quantity quickly enough.
For the next Dussehra, an advance estimate of demand, a realistic production schedule and coordination with the supplier could make the experience smoother.
The intention behind the arrangement was good. With a little refinement, it could work even better next time.
After all, when a festive treat is organised for the community, the happiest outcome is one in which everyone gets a fair opportunity to enjoy it.
Another piece of information I received while writing the blog is that the staff of the society did not get any fafda and jalebi, which is a failure on the vendor's side. This is not a good thing.
Decorations: Can we bring a little more creativity?
Now comes the part where I feel there is a big room for improvement.
The decorations at the celebrations did not quite appeal to me. To my eyes, the setup had more of a village wedding feel than the look of a thoughtfully designed festive space for a residential community.
I also missed attractive photo booths or backdrops where families could stop for a picture. In these times of social media, these have become a fun part of community celebrations, especially when children and families want to preserve memories of the occasion.
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| The Garba Floor - Pic credit - Ruchi Gupta |
I am not suggesting that we need expensive decorations or extravagant installations. A little imagination can go a long way.
A well-designed Gujarati-themed backdrop, traditional motifs, colourful fabric, diyas or a creative festive corner could make the space more inviting without requiring a huge budget.
The aim should not be to compete with commercial events. It should be to create a setting that reflects the spirit of the festival and gives residents another reason to smile.
Perhaps this is one area where a little creative input from residents could make a real difference in future celebrations.
A word about the food stalls
Food stalls were also part of the celebrations. I did not personally try any of the food items, so I cannot comment on their quality.
I did hear some residents express reservations about the food, and I am recording that observation without drawing my own conclusions.
There is a difference between personal experience and feedback received from others, and I think it is important to keep that distinction clear.
Still, resident feedback can be useful when future food stalls and vendors are being selected. A little attention to quality, hygiene, variety and value for money can make food an enjoyable part of any community event.
What matters most in a residential society?
When I look back at this year's Navratri and Dussehra celebrations, my overall experience has been positive.
There are things that can be improved: the availability of fafda-jalebi, the design of the decorations and perhaps the planning around food stalls. These are practical matters that can be addressed with better preparation and feedback.
But what I find most encouraging is the change in the everyday atmosphere of Orchid Harmony.
Respectful communication may not make headlines, but it can make a genuine difference to how people feel about the place they call home.
We may not always agree with our neighbours, committee members or the decisions taken by the society. That is natural. What matters is whether we can express our views and ask questions without turning every difference into a conflict.
A good residential community does not need everyone to think alike. It needs people to treat one another with consideration.
The new committee has made a promising beginning in this respect, at least from my experience. I hope this positive approach continues, along with thoughtful planning and a willingness to learn from each event.
The real success of a society celebration is not just how the event looks on the day. It is also how people feel while participating in it — and the memories they carry home.
Over to you
I would love to know what you think.
What makes a residential society a genuinely good place to live?
Is it efficient management, well-organised festivals, good facilities, friendly neighbours, or the simple comfort of being treated with respect?
And if you live in Gujarat, do you remember the simpler Navratri celebrations of earlier years?
Share your thoughts in the comments. After all, every community has its own story, and it is interesting to learn how others experience life where they live.
Here is hoping for more peaceful interactions, joyful festivals and better community experiences at Orchid Harmony.
Neerja Bhatnagar
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