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Bengal celebrates Kali Puja with devotion

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Kolkata, Nov 6 (IANS) Decorating their homes with electric light bulbs and colourful earthen lamps, people of West Bengal on Tuesday marked Kali Puja celebrations with devotion and religious fervour.

Since morning, the famous Kali temples at Kalighat, Dakhineswar and other marquess drew a sea of devotees who offered prayers to the goddess on the auspicious day.

Kali Puja is held on the new moon day of the month of Kartik in the Bengali calendar.

This year the puja rituals started from Tuesday morning.

As per tradition, people of all ages celebrated Kali puja with permitted fireworks a day ahead of Diwali.

Over the years, Kali Puja celebrations have been scaled up to match the lingering festive atmosphere post Durga Puja, the biggest festival in West Bengal.

Fresh marquees (pandals) across the city have sprung up while several community pujas refrained from dismantling the Durga Puja pandals, decking them up again to serve Goddess Kali.

Apart from community pandals, Kali puja is also performed in houses. Family members pitched in to arrange items for the rituals and the prasad (food offering to the deity).

The puja is also held in various Hindu crematoria.

A countless number of devotees stood in long queues at the Tarapith temple near Birbhum district’s Rampurhat to seek blessings of the goddess considered a form of goddess Durga.

Ululations (high pitched vocal sounds) and peals of bells resonated across temples and residences observing Kali Puja, adding to the festive spirit.

People hit the streets in their best ethnic wears, making their way to various marquees and stopping for a bite.

An array of crackers — torches, sparklers, flowerpots, rockets — spread cheer among revellers as they burst into colourful sparks against the night sky.

Kolkata Police have issued dos and don’ts regarding the timings and bursting of firecrackers as per order of the Supreme Court and Pollution Control Board. One can burst permissible crackers from 8-10 pm.

This year Kolkata Police have imposed a ban on sky lanterns in an eight-km radius around Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee greeted everyone on the occasion of Kali Puja. She inaugurated a Skywalk connecting the Dakshineswar Railway Station to the famed Dakshineswar Kali temple on Monday.

According to old texts, Kali Puja was introduced in Bengal during the 18th century by King Krishnachandra of Nabadwip in Nadia district.

–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

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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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