Women to host BE East puja
August 15 being both an auspicious day and a Sunday, the date was chosen for the khunti puja of BE (East). The all-woman puja committee was in a celebratory mood and spoke of their learnings from last year.
“In 2020, our block had its first all-woman puja but we got excellent response from residents,” said general secretary Sharbani Sarkar. “We managed to bring together different communities and especially the elderly residents, many of whose children are settled out of town. They all participated.”
For years, BE (East) has been one of the largest crowd-pullers in the autumn fest but the focus now has shifted inwards. “The pandal this year would not be based on any theme. We want it to be simple and shift the focus on residents enjoying together,” said president Smita Piplai, adding that the responsibilities were quite empowering for the committee members.
The women had come dressed beautifully and bonded over Puja planning, before they went on to hold the khuti upright.
Treasurer Sarbani Ghosh said the budgetary details of the puja would be ascertained closer to the festival, depending on sponsorship and other factors. “Things will also be clearer once the government announces Covid guidelines for the Pujas,” said vice-president Sarmistha Mukhopadhyay.
Kakali Debnath, another vice-president, said that even though community lunch was cancelled last year, they had delivered sweets at every doorstep on Dashami. “The gesture was appreciated and we may do the same this year,” she said.
Box bonanza in EC Block puja theme
EC Block residents at khunti puja Sourced by the correspondent
The EC Block puja pandal this year might resemble a beautifully lit-up stack of boxes. The clue was in the theme revealed at their khunti puja last Sunday: “Jeebon ekhono box-ey bondho”.
“This is our 45th year and we want to build up to our golden jubilee,” said block secretary Mouli Nath Maji. “Our puja has become a must-see for pandal-hoppers so while maintaining Covid protocol, we shall ensure they have a memorable visit.”
Theme maker Prabir Saha, who is in charge of the block’s pandal for the third year in a row, promised 450 boxes, backlit and with digital faces projected on them.
The day being Rakhipurnima, joint secretary Jolly Chowdhury was busy walking over to everyone and tying them rakhis on behalf of the association. “Our block is like a family and such festivals keep us united,” she smiled, tying a band around neighbour Mousumi Das’s wrist.
The first rakhi was tied on ward co-ordinator Tulsi Sinha Roy’s wrist. “Like every year, Puja will be celebrated this time too and we await government guidelines. Residents will enjoy, following norms,” she said.
Before holding up the bamboo pole, residents performed anjali. But Kuhu Ganguly was disappointed at being asked to drop the flowers in a basket instead of showering them on the khuti. “The pandemic has snatched a favourite part of offering anjali. We will have to compromise,” she shrugged.
AE (Part 2) plans open pandal
Members of AE Block Samaj Kalyan Sangha plant the khunti in front of their community hall before the worship
AE Block Samaj Kalyan Sangha organised khunti puja in front of their community hall beside AE Market to mark the beginning their 45th Durga puja celebration.
“We are hoping for the best, but preparing for a difficult time,” said Tapas Sengupta, secretary of the body. “We have planned an open pandal with a traditional idol so people can get to see the puja from the road itself, walking past or driving past in their cars. We are yet to receive revised guidelines from the government about the festivals so we are preparing as per last year’s terms, keeping provision for modifications, if needed.”
The committee will be installing more speakers so residents can hear the rituals in progress from their homes itself and everything will be streamed live on their Facebook page. “This year, we have decided to deliver two lunch packets per house on Ashtami and Navami. Initially we had thought of asking people to come in with containers but we cancelled that as it would have caused a gathering,” Sengupta said.
Resident Mohima Chatterjee was on her way to the market but stopped by for the puja when she spotted it. “Durga puja is an emotion for us. We cannot think of not celebrating it. Every year we count the days to it but since last year we have lost our enthusiasm. I hope everything gets back normal soon,” she said.
Since last year, the puja has shifted back to the community hall instead of the park. “The park is a larger area and allows us to conduct the puja with more grandeur but now it is about the well-being of people,” Sengupta said. “The puja is held so we can pray for the well-being of people. So if need be, we are ready to even do a simple ghot puja,” added Sengupta.