CD Block, New Town

New Town’s CD Block celebrated August 15 with a YouTube video on some of the elderly residents of the block but it was much more than music and recitation. It was about memories.

A couple, Ratneshwar and Reba Guha, recalled their childhood in what is now Bangladesh and about how they moved to India and began their lives afresh.

Dipika Ghatak, a college student of the block, narrated the story of her grandpa Jitendra Lal Sen and his brother Manindra Chandra Sen, both freedom fighters. “Jitendra Lal was part of the Chittagong armoury raid led by Masterda Surya Sen. He was later awarded by Indira Gandhi,” said the proud grandchild. “Manindra Chandra was part of a group that tried to kill a British official in Myanmansingha. He was arrested and sent to the cellular jail in Andaman for six years.”

About 15 residents attended the flag hoisting ceremony of AE (Part 2). Elderly residents in the audience were asked to stand at a distance to ensure safety. Block committee president Monimoy Saha hosted the flag. With input from Shatadipa Bhattacharya Sourced by the Telegraph

They even got a byte from Manindra Chandra’s widow Pulina Rani Sen where she said she is flown to Andaman by the government for Independence Day every year. “I would have gone this year too, if it wasn’t for the lockdown,” she says.

Shila Bose of the block sang a Dwijendrageeti, Amra emni ese bhese jaiand Bijan Das, the block president, recited Sukumar Ray’s Jibon er hishab. Gouri Sanyal sang, Amalabha Dutta spoke on spirituality and Shiuli Sarkar, who is stuck in Mumbai for the lockdown, sang a thumri.

“We are planning two more instalments of this video in the weeks to come,” said Sithi Kana Ghatak, who conceptualised the presentation, called Smriti Manjari. Somsuddha Palit was the anchor and the video was executed by a group of youths called Pancha Pandav comprising Saptarshi Choudhury, Mrinalini Banerjee, Shruti Chinha, Beas Bera and Dipika.

Councillor Sabyasachi Dutta hoisted the national flag at BE Block in presence of Narottam Dutta, secretary of Salt Lake BE Block Nagarik Sangha and other residents. The organisers maintained social distancing by opening up the two halls in the park and asking the guests to split up Sourced by the Telegraph

BK Block

The BK Block flag was hoisted by mayor Krishna Chakraborty and a garbage collector Arjun Yadav, who was commemorated for his uninterrupted services during the pandemic. Yadav was quite nervous and disbelieving of the honour.
In the evening, residents who are part of the block’s music-based WhatsApp group Cholo Gaan Gai presented a show over Google Meet.

The largest participation was by kids - Shirshannita Majumdar, 10, recited Priyo Swadhinata, Debarpan Mukherjee, eight, sang Nanha munha rahi and the youngest participant — five year-old Ishani Bhattacharya — spoke on the Rani of Jhasi and sang a few lines of Main rahu ya na rahu from the film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.

Those like Somogga Choudhury danced solo but there were some group dances too, if one can call them so. Tanishka Das began dancing to Des mera rangila in her living room but the visual soon cut to Titasha Roy on her terrace. “I didn’t even know my song was getting punched with another didi’s,” said Tanishka, a Class VI student, puzzled. “But the overall effect looked great.”

The flag at CK-CL Park was hoisted by mayor Krishna Chakraborty. A CL Block resident Monalisa Sengupta turned heads at the ceremony with her tricolour sari. “I wear this sari every Independence Day and Rebuplic Day but this year no once could recognise me as I had a face shield on!” she laughed. Sourced by the Telegraph

Most performances were pre-recorded and presented by Tamashree Saha, who along with the anchor Arpita Mukherjee, also sang Sare jaha se achcha.

Oishik Das strummed the national anthem on guitar, Sammridha Mukherjee played the violin to Kadam kaam badhaye ja and there was an adorable presentation by brothers Baishyayan Banerjee, of Class X, and brother Debayan, of Class II.

“Debayan had felt left out when his brother took part in this group’s Rabindrajayanti function online and insisted he join now,” said mother Baisakhi. The elder brother played the keyboard and the younger one sang Bharat amar Bharat barsha. Moreover Baishyayan wore an orange kurta and Debayan (whose head has been shaved recently for a Gandhi look-alike event at school) wore a green one.

Little Debayan Banerjee waved the national flag dressed as Mahatma Gandhi Sourced by the Telegraph

Chandra Sekhar Bag (better known as Babloo in the block) sang Banglar mati banglar jol with Sathi Ghosh. “I had sung a few lines and sent her to check if the scale was agreeable. And then we performed live. Most other events were pre-recorded to avoid network disruptions,” said Bag.

The senior-most participant was Sathi Dasgupta who sang O amar desher mati with a tricolour sash on. Block president Rajarshi Chandra wished everyone and requested them to continue staying indoors. “I know it’s difficult but you can keep busy with such cultural endeavours,” he said.

The group presented a video collage of residents waving the flag at home and concluded by standing up to sing the national anthem together.