Puja time, crunch time

September 27th, 2011: For the past two weeks I am in Kolkata carrying out desk work relating to the Pujas. My desk is handling thousands of letters, invitations and correspondence and my bureau looks like a small town post office. Just to give an idea of the work in hand:

· Puja Parikrama cards for 4500 Pronam members

· Puja Darshan arrangements for Pronam members,

· Inter College Interactive Workshop on Let’s Talk Bengal: 28th September, 2011, St Xavier’s College, Lady Brabourne College in association with Education for All Trust

· Moner Manush book launch on September 30th at the Writers' Buildings conference room where Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, chief guest, would release the book. The function is being organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation.

· Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja inauguration on September 30, 2011

· The Telegraph In Schools (TTIS) Puja Awards (The Telegraph in association with Education for All Trust, October 2, 2011)

· True Spirit puja competition organised by The Telegraph in association with The Bengal, Kolkata Police, West Bengal Fire Service and Kolkata Municipal Corporation on October 4, 2011

· Sending personal Bijoya greetings and The Bengal Puja greetings to the Pronam members and all who are associated with The Bengal.

....... and the list goes on and on.

I am directly associated with all of the above events through Education for All Trust, Prabha Khaitan Foundation, The Bengal and Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja. So technically, I am the host every where which demands a lot of my time and effort and is keeping me busy organizing these events.

September 30th is going to be one of the busiest days for me as at 12 noon our Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee will launch the book Moner Manush Chitranatya Ityadi written by Mr Nirmal Dhar and initiated by our Foundation at the first floor conference room in Writer’s Buildings. Incidentally, September 30th also happens to be Prosenjit Chatterjee's birthday.

The same day at 1 PM I will be at the Raj Bhavan for a banquet lunch to be hosted in honour of Prime Minister of Bhutan, His Excellency Jigme Yoser Thinley, by the Governor himself. This would be followed by the inauguration of Manicktala Lohapatty Durga Puja by the Governor of West Bengal. Later in the evening there is the National Day Cocktail & Dinner invitation by the Ambassador of Chile, Mr Cristian Barros, Mrs Poly Michell and Dr J K Saraf at the Hyatt Regency. Also, the much talked about film Baishe Srabon is slated for release on that very Friday at Priya cinema.

My everyday destination ITC Sonar is hosting a play at ITC Pala titled “The Urge” which is directed and designed by Aamir Raza Hussain and Virat Hussain. Also, there is a dinner by Venkatesh Films.

Let’s see how I manage that day. But rain or shine, I have to be present at the Writers’ Building, Raj Bhavan and Chaltabagan for sure.

ess bee