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Bengal decks up to bask in Durga Puja fervour
Kolkata, Oct 14 (IANS) With “cotton-ball” clouds floating in the blue sky, the beat of Dhak (drums) mixed with popular melodies filling the air, and frenzied last-minute shopping, Bengal looks set to indulge itself in the state’s biggest festival – Durga Puja – from Monday.
It is that time of the year when festivity, merriment and religiosity take over, and roads are choked with human traffic throughout the day – and night.
Be it the kids excited about their first pandal-hopping, teenagers decked-up in brand-new clothes or the artisans and craftsmen busy applying final touches to the Durga idols, everyone has a sparkle of happiness in their eyes as the five-day festivity truly transcends the barriers of religion and transforms into a celebration of life.
The streets are decorated with lights, colourful billboards and giant entry gates of different community pujas. Shops – big or small – look busy and the restaurants welcome the gastronomes with mouth-watering dishes, including special Bengali platters.
Ignoring the forecast of heavy rains, that were likely after a cyclone hit the neighbouring state of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh last week, thousands hit the streets on Saturday and Sunday to partake of the festive spirit a little ahead of schedule.
Security in the cities and suburbs has been bolstered with the installation of CCTV camera watchtowers. Extra security personnel have been deployed to prevent any breach of peace, and to control the rush and man the traffic.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga, accompanied by her four children – Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati – descends on the Earth every year to visit her parents to fight evil. This is the occasion that the puja celebrates.
Durga, the slayer of the demon Mahishasur, comes astride her lion and wields an array of weapons in her 10 hands in a symbolic representation of “Shakti”, or woman power.
The puja rituals begin on Monday — “Shashthi” or the sixth lunar day – and culminate on “Dashami” (Dussehra) when the idols are immersed in rivers and other water bodies.
Around 28,000 community pujas are being organised across the state, with the Mamata Banerjee government giving a generous grant of Rs 10,000 to each of them.
Like every year, a number of major community pujas in Kolkata are set to mesmerise the visitors with their uniqueness of theme, decoration and aesthetics of the idols.
While the theme of an old community puja in north Kolkata pays tribute to the sex workers and demands social rights for them, a famous south Kolkata puja built the marquee to pay tributes to and celebrate the visually-impaired.
A puja in the city’s eastern suburbs, considered to be a major crowd-puller for many years, has recreated Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh Fort of queen Padmavati. Another new puja in the vicinity is set to surprise the visitors with the marquee themed upon the evolution of radio and music systems.
A popular puja in the posh satellite township of Salt Lake has tied up with the Chinese consulate in the city to create a slice of authentic China at the puja premises, bringing in 25 Chinese artisans and performers.
Increasing in number each year, the individual pujas in various apartments and building blocks across Kolkata are also ready with their own set of cultural functions and contests for the residents.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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