Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday inaugurated five Durga pujas in north Kolkata virtually and several in districts.
“I extend my warm wishes and greetings to all of you present. Even though I can’t reach you physically, I am there with you mentally,” Mamata said while inaugurating the Sreebhumi Sporting Club’s puja, the first of the day.
“I have an injury in one of my legs and it will take some time to recover. There is an infection and if I start walking around, it will get worse. Doctors have advised me to protect the leg. So I can’t move around.”
The chief minister urged the Puja organisers to coordinate with the police and ensure there was proper management of crowds queuing up for the pandals.
The other Kolkata pujas that Mamata inaugurated ere Hatibagan Sarbojonin, Tala Prottoy, Ahiritolla Sarbojonin and Entally Matribhumi.
“I like how the volunteers have dressed in blue and white. You have put up a great banner — bajlo tomar alor benu,” Mamata said while inaugurating the Durga Puja at Hatibagan in the presence of Atin Ghosh, deputy mayor of Kolkata. “I also like the idol. I will meet you all at the puja carnival.”
At Tala Prottoy, the organisers unveiled the Durga idol in the presence of the chief minister, virtually. Mamata wanted to know the puja’s theme and congratulated the organisers for the effort.
“I am taking IV injections and doctors have instructed me not to move around. My best wishes are with you,” Mamata told the organisers, among whom were many women who had gathered at the puja pandal for the occasion.
Inaugurating the Durga Puja at Ahiritolla, the chief minister wanted to meet the idol maker and congratulate him on his work.
“Murti-ta darun hoyechhey. Khub sundar (The idol is beautiful). I want to preserve it,” Mamata said. “After the carnival, I will preserve this at our facility in (Dhakuria) Lake. I will instruct Bobby (mayor Firhad Hakim) to do so.”
Veteran Trinamul MP Sudip Bandyopadhayay was present at the Entally puja, which is celebrating its 75th year. This is the first time, the organisers said the chief minister inaugurated the puja.
“When we celebrate, we do it with all, not just the Hindus. I urge all of you to join in prayers for the welfare of Bengal. There’s no division amongst us,” Mamata said.