‘Dus Bahaane Karke Le Gayi Dil!!’
My mobile phone rang aloud.
“That song is dus saal old. Couldn’t you find a better ringtone?”
Amma muttered in irritation.
“The movie’s name was Dus as well,” I winked.
“Sau baar I have told you to keep that mobile away when you study,” Amma lamented again.
“And hazaar baar I have told you, I can’t give up on my mobile,” I retorted.
“Why are the two of you going on in powers of 10?” my nerdy brother quipped.
“‘Coz 10 is such an important number!!!”
Ever observed? Our mythology places such a huge significance on the number ten.
Dashavatar – 10 incarnations of Vishnu.
Dashanan – 10 heads of Ravan.
VijayaDashami – 10 days of Dussehra.
In fact, Dussehra has the word Dus in it.
Ten hands of Ma Durga.
Isn’t there a kind of spiritual mystery in there?
Not only Indian mythology, but the Bible talks of the number ten too, with great importance.
Ten Commandments—heard of them? God’s instructions to Moses, exactly 10 in number.
Moreover, ten generations between Adam and Noah, ten days of repentance…
Numerology places ten on a pedestal as well.
A combination of 1 and 0, it is a blend of everythingness and nothingness.
Somewhere between individuality and infinity.
The first two-digit number, ten is considered to be by far superior to any single-digit number.
Why do you think the decimal system has a base of 10?
Simple—humans have 10 fingers. So the maximum counting in one go is 10.
Every next count adds 10, thanks to our 10 fingers. And 10 toes too, actually.
Indian astrology seems to set 10 as very important because the 10th planet happens to be Saturn—Shani.
Shani’s influence is supposed to be the most powerful of all, responsible for growth amidst heavy challenges.
Shani is worshipped, respected, and never taken for granted.
As the 10th planet throws curveballs at us, we learn to face the struggles head-on.
Delving deeper, we discover themes of authority, achievement, and ambition in this number, 10.
People born under the influence of the number 10 may possess strong leadership qualities and a keen sense of responsibility.
They are often driven by a desire to succeed and make a lasting impact in the world.
And how can we forget the jersey numbers of legendary sports stars?
Sachin Tendulkar, Lionel Messi, Pelé, Maradona—all of them have donned the number 10.
For a reason, of course—10 has been their lucky charm, and it has symbolized their hard work and drive to succeed.
In our daily lives, how many times do we randomly use Dus? Dus baar, Dus kaam, Dus log, Dusvi class, Dusvi saalgirah?
All this, just like that?
Apparently not.
Dus is a bahana to be celebrated, with its symbolic significance weighing so high.
And so, our own The She Saga commemorated her 10th anniversary with such grandeur on May 1st.
Ten—a decade—is to be honoured, of course. Especially for The She Saga.
10 years of emerging from a small group to a well-known NGO.
10 years of growing amidst all challenges and emerging a winner.
10 years of compassion, responsibility, and success.
10 years, entering into double digits, and vowing to go strong.
As I sat mesmerized at the 10th Anniversary celebrations, I couldn’t help but realize:
Every woman there—a blend of individuality, authority, and fun.
A mix of independence, leadership, and compassion.
Over seventy women—many total strangers—bonded like close friends.
Danced, sang, spoke, shopped, ramp-walked, and made merry.
All this, on the 10th birthday of TSS.
Don’t know about others, but I am sure—10 is one number that symbolizes sisterhood.
Womanhood.
For every purposeful cause in the world, like our TSS, the rate of flourishing is definitely in powers of 10.
TSS, Tum jiyo hazaron saal, because you are lakhon mein ek.
So Dus has Dum, bas.
By Preethi Warrier
Preethi Warrier has completed her Masters in Electronics Engineering and is an Assistant Professor. She is one among the winners of the TOI Write India Campaign Season-1, for the famous author Anita Nair. She can be contacted at : warrier.preethi@yahoo.com
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