Judges
I enjoyed the experience of the virtual judging and used the True Spirit Puja web application to do the marking. This hybrid form of judging is a bit challenging for the puja organisers as it gives them limited opportunities time-wise to showcase themselves. But it’s the best way to do it under these pandemic-hit circumstances.
The theme about children at Suruchi Sangha was unique and socially relevant. Ballygunge Cultural Association made a good presentation. 41 Pally had great visibility from the street and their water purification plant was good.
Today, I visited Chetla Agrani in the afternoon to give away the Five Star Puja award. Seeing it in person obviously gave a better impression.... It was very impressive from the aesthetic point of view with the frame of the idol, the columns on the sides, the decent colouring…. The visit was not about inspecting the pandal any more but I could see all the safety parameters they had talked about at the virtual briefing were adhered to.
I was in Kolkata during Puja last year but because of Covid I was more or less grounded. So practically this is my first Puja.... In the western part of Germany, they have a carnival for three days when they go crazy, dress up and have big trucks with floats on them on some current topic. That is different but comparable to Durga Puja. In the southern part, there is Fasching (the Roman Catholic Shrovetide carnival), which is a bit comparable to Puja in that it is about fighting the demons at the end of winter.
Manfred Auster, German consul general
Yutaka Nakamura The Telegraph
Last year, I saw Durga Puja through social media. This is the first time I have judged and am going to see a puja properly. The concept of the pandal (Suruchi Sangha) is very good.... The focus on children was appreciated by everybody, that’s why perhaps this was chosen by all because of their uniqueness and arrangement that was totally different from others.
Yutaka Nakamura, consul general of Japan (his wife Yuko Nakamura loved how it was aimed towards the children, mothers and women and also loved the colourful pandal)
Melinda Pavek The Telegraph
I think the concept of TSP is really important. It is considering inclusivity and safety. People can spend a wonderful time with friends and family…. It involves good planning and good organisation.
Melinda Pavek, US consul general
Joyneel Mukherjee The Telegraph
Over the last two decades, CESC True Spirit Puja has become a movement in Kolkata. The focus on safety protocols has taken precedence. Following all Covid norms, clubs and organisers have kept the spirit alive.
Joyneel Mukherjee, executive director, group corporate communications, RPSG Group
Gargi Chatterjea The Telegraph
Social welfare activities formed the kernel of this year’s review, apart from standard questions on fire, electrical safety and sanitisation. The better pujas performed exceedingly well with their diverse socially responsible projects.
Gargi Chatterjea, executive director, regulatory affairs, CESC
Rupali Basu The Telegraph
Being the only doctor on the panel of judges in this year’s CESC The Telegraph True Spirit Puja awards, I was focussing more on aspects like hygiene, cleanliness and safety. And all the pujas had everything from emergency rooms to baby care rooms to fire-fighting preparedness, including fire pumps. This was not the case in earlier days. A lot of credit for this can go to the award, which is now in its 19th year.
Rupali Basu, managing director and CEO, Woodlands Multispecialty Hospital
Mukti Gupta The Telegraph
I congratulate The Telegraph and TSP. I feel this is a movement more than anything else. It really helps the entire city to be safe and secure during Puja.... The manner in which safety measures are followed and various things are judged on several parameters is really commendable.
Mukti Gupta, managing director, Mukti Group
Barbara Wickham The Telegraph
This city has such a vibrant feel, especially during Durga Puja. The pandal at Kanai Dhar Lane looks like a very traditional puja. What I love is that the puja has been put together by the entire community. This puja has all the classical elements as you would expect but the craft is exquisite. The way the community has made it a safe puja is very important.
Barbara Wickham, director, British Council, India
Lal Bhatia The Telegraph
It is inspiring that despite the pandemic, the TSP team, comprising CESC, The Telegraph, David & Goliath and other stake-holders, got together and carried out the event. It sends out a strong message that positivity always prevails over the negative.
Lal Bhatia, chairman, David & Goliath Films
Arpit Dhandhania The Telegraph
We, from the Young Indians, are really grateful to The Telegraph and the entire team of True Spirit for giving us the opportunity of partnering in such an amazing and meaningful event. We really appreciate how these pandals are celebrating Durga Puja focussing on fire safety, adhering to all Covid protocols and other safety parameters that are generally neglected in our country. By creating more awareness around these issues and taking the correct action with respect to these issues, these puja committees are focusing on the common theme of making a better India, which is the motto of Young Indians, too. We, at Young Indians, focus on building a nation for tomorrow and we would like to appreciate The Telegraph for not just focusing on the beauty of the pandals, but considering the safety aspect too.
Arpit Dhandhania, chairperson, Young Indians, Kolkata
Guests
Parno Mittra The Telegraph
This pandal (Suruchi Sangha) made me nostalgic because of its theme. The pandal was playing a child’s voiceover telling her mother that her friend has got so many outfits or that she is waiting to shop... that was beautiful.
Parno Mittra
Nusrat Jahan The Telegraph
I think TSP is a nice way of enjoying Puja.... The 41 Pally puja that we visited is absolutely eco-friendly.... The adivasi culture is getting lost. The way this puja is trying to spread awareness about the culture is nice.
Nusrat Jahan
Yash Dasgupta The Telegraph
I think the theme at the 41 Pally puja is well justified. The pandal looked lovely with all the safety measures in place.
Yash Dasgupta
Richa Sharma The Telegraph
This is my fourth year with The Telegraph True Spirit Puja. The best thing about TSP is that they focus on even smallest details....
Richa Sharma
Raima Sen The Telegraph
Unlike last year, this time we could go and hand over the prize physically. It is up to the people to be responsible and ensure the Covid situation does not worsen.
Raima Sen
Adrian Chadwick The Telegraph
There’s really so much to like about this puja at Kanai Dhar Lane. It has been beautifully done. The entire neighbourhood has come together to organise the puja.
Adrian Chadwick, regional director, British Council, South Asia
Imran Zaki The Telegraph
Because of TSP, pandals in Kolkata and Howrah have become conscious about safety and security. In a Covid situation, some have expanded their first aid equipment to include even oxygen concentrators
Imran Zaki, director, David & Goliath Films