Apropos the report "Fair stalled", published on December 8, Bidhannagar Mela and I are of exactly the same age. Since I was a toddler, I have been visiting this fair with my mother. I wait the entire year for it and visit it not once but several times, sometimes just to enjoy the ambience. Some of the vendors have become like family and I miss them if I can't meet them every year.
The sadness of Durga puja getting over is wiped away by the advent of the fair season but no fair can beat the excitement surrounding Bidhannagar Mela. During the pandemic, when this fair was cancelled we were very upset but waited patiently for another 12 months for its next edition.
This year again, it’s going to be a long wait as we don't know when our favourite mela will take place. We were waiting the whole month for the announcement of the dates. Even if the fair happens in February or March, I will visit it.
Pallabi Chatterjee,
Rabindrapally, Kestopur
I am really upset that Bidhannagar Mela has got stalled. Being a resident of Salt Lake, I am a regular visitor to the fair and would generally go twice or thrice.
On the first day, I would just check out the stalls, the next day I’d make purchases and again another day, I’d go just like that. I don’t even bother if anyone accompanies me or not.
I had the same plan this year. Let’s hope the fair is organised after the book fair.
Mohua Sen Dasgupta,
BF Block
For residents of Salt Lake, Bidhannagar Mela is not just a fair, it is an emotional attachment.
I have attended every edition to date. Although this year's fair has been postponed, one hopes the authorities will find suitable dates to organise this winter’s edition of this immensely popular fair.
Sourish Misra,
SA Block
Pigeon peril
I would like to congratulate The Telegraph Salt Lake for the article titled “Pigeon alarm” published on September 15.
The article was very informative and brought to the fore an issue that many are unaware of. That the editor gave two full pages of space to the topic reflects the priorities of the newspaper. I hope the paper follows up on this story from time to time, thereby creating pressure on the authorities to take action.
We hope to read more such insightful articles from The Telegraph Salt Lake in the months to come.
Ajay Chopra
I must comment on pigeon-feeding as I am both a doctor and a resident of DB Block which is close to a den of these dangerous birds.
My house overlooks the City Centre parking lot and homes in my immediate neighbourhood are badly affected by the mess created by the pigeons.
It is the religious belief of some people to feed these birds so they come regularly for it. Some of them even wear masks as they know that diseases are spread by pigeons but they are least bothered about others who are exposed to the risk.
Many complaints have been lodged by residents but in vain. No action has been taken as the authorities probably prefer not to hurt religious sentiments of people. Considering the multiple health hazards to mankind, action must be taken immediately to stop the feeding of grains to pigeons.
Bhaswati Sengupta,
DB Block
Thank you for the insights on pigeon-feeding. Many are taught to feed pigeons for blessings and good luck by our ancestors but it appears that the birds are harming humans in return.
There are many spots where this practice is on. Besides the ones mentioned in Salt Lake, the Rawdon Street-Shakespeare Sarani crossing, the Park Street-Rawdon Street junction etc all suffer from the problem.
The government should ban such activities and the police should see that feedings is completely stopped before it is too late.
Rakesh Bhatia
People who say they are feeding pigeons because they like birds or animals are actually allowing one species to proliferate at the expense of others.
Pigeons breed quickly. They are aggressive towards other birds and don't allow them to feed. The other birds' population in that area dwindles. I have seen them chase crows away from food sources.
If people want to be kind-hearted they can place water for all birds but let them forage for their own food. Alternatively, they can donate to animal charities.
Kali puja musings
Sheelagh Patel
Maitri Sangha, the club that organised the Kali puja next to the swimming pool, has an interesting background (apropos the article “Golden aura”, published on November 24).
The club is not affiliated to either BF or CF block’s residents’ associations. Currently, the president is Sabyasachi Datta, chairman of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, but two years ago it was MLA Sujit Bose. The club decorated Ma Kali with 80kg of gold jewellery, as was reported in the article.
The puja was organised in the traffic island in the area, perhaps with permission from the local police. It was great that singer Sreeradha Bandyopadhyay, a resident of the nearby CE Block, charmed the audience at the cultural function.
Surprisingly, the mayor of the Corporation did not visit one of the largest Kali pujas in Salt Lake.
Samir DasGupta,
CF Block