My Chaltabagan Puja

Today evening West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan inaugurated the Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja by lighting a ceremonial lamp (picture) in front of the idol of the Mother Goddess. Being the chairman of this Puja committee, much of the responsibility vested on me. Fashion designer Agnimitra Paul and industrialist Manoj Jain joined me as the Guests of Honour at the function.

Before the inauguration of the Puja, the Governor handed over books to the needy students and clothes to other needy persons. He also gave cheques as financial help to various welfare organisations working for the blind, cancer and thalassemia. Buddhadeb Guha joined the Governor on the dais along with some other guests.
There were some other eminent dignitaries at the inaugural function including Rituparna Sengupta, Sadhan Pandey (MLA), Rajkishor Gupta (local councillor) and others. The Chaltabagan Puja has made for itself quite a place among the famous pujas in the state and has received many awards over the years for its innovation, creativity, management and social welfare activities that have drawn top politicians, celebs, members of the diplomatic corps and other eminent dignitaries from across the state. It also has a pull drawing huge crowds and pandal hoppers with its interesting puja themes.
The Chaltabagan Duga Puja is particularly lauded for its innovative approach to lighting and adopting green initiatives like using solar power etc. In fact, this puja has attracted persons and leaders with a leftist bent of mind like Meera Bhattacharya, Md Salim and former Mayor of Kolkata, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, and so many others for the past several years. 

No doubt it feels great to be associated with and be at the helm of such an initiative that combines devotion, charity and creativity in such a unique way.
I will miss the Pujas in Kolkata from 14th October (Saptami or seventh day) as I would be in North America. However, I look forward to visit some of the probashi Durga Pujas.
ess bee