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3rd Saraswati Puja - A Report

I'm filing this report on the 14th of February, 2005. Yesterday the 'pond community' celebrated Saraswati Puja, the third consecutive one organized by Parivesh Suraksha Committee.

A Brief Recount:

Participation, as gauged from the subscription book did not fall below the average, but was definitely less than what we had in the first year. But then thats understandable, people with guns to their temples are bound to react more enthusiastically at any call for 'deliverance' than during mellower, secure times. But what was definitely up in 2005 was the number of spontaneous sponsorship. People who liked what we were doing, identified with the cause, and contributed selflessly beyond the normal subscription. Dr Sabita Sarkar - sponsored the Devi idol, and Manisha Chowdhuri (who doesnt live in the pond community but has been an enthusiatic supporter, friend and participant) and Bhaskar Bose - special donations of Rs 200/- and Rs 150/- respectively (in addition to his puja subscription of Rs 100/-).

Peoples' Representatives: A key point in the puja was the attendance of both the councillors (ward no. 93 and 96). Not only that, despite a punishing schedule (This was a day of inaugurating pujas and schools all across two gigantic wards with thousands of inhabitants), both of them managed to stay back a while and have lunch with us. Truly inspiring considering our history. Located along the border zone of these two wards, we used to imagine that our neglected locality falls in a 'no man's land.' Not anymore.

A little wary of last year's caterer related problems (when the food reached very late in the afternoon) we set out to organize this years events with trepidation in our hearts. Uday Dasgupta, in charge of the community lunch (and a thousand different things!) did a splendid job. He hired the right people this year, the food was delicious, copius, and arrived hot and right on time! In fact, not fully trusting the caterers, the kitchen was set up right at 'Ushakiran' - venue of the Puja.

A K Mandal and Niren sen (who is also our president), both of them senior citizens past 70, climbed steep staircases (sometimes to the fourth floors) to knock residents' doors for subscription. We must be truly indebted to them. So must we be to Prasenjit Bhattacharjee, new resident to the locality who has shown fantastic enthusiasm in all matters of the committee ever since he has been a member.

Bumba Dasgupta and Sarmishtha Dasgupta, young greens, transformed the 'pandal' into a bright and welcoming place with their colorful decoration.

Bina Chowdhuri took pains (literally, because the little finger invariably gets scraped while tracing patterns on the floor) to draw a beautiful 'alpona.'

A painter created the backdrop to the idol. As far as we could guess, it depicted towering concrete blocks descending like gigantic tsunamis on the city - threatening to snuff out the last vestiges of life. Buildings at their feet were screaming in sheer pain and terror. And yet, tiny green leaves of some unknown variety were sprouting in gay abundance, like many new promises of life. This was happening at the central portion of the nearly 8 ft x 6 ft work, and the idol of Saraswati was placed right in front.

Prasenjit Bhattacharjee, Uday Dasgupta and Nabendu Chowdhury went to the market to procure probably the best idol available and at a very modest price.

Manjusha Guha, a former cultural secretary to the committee, overcame pressing personal engagements to take complete charge of all puja related affairs. She was there, leading from the front - during, before, and after the pujas. She was also a leading voice (literally) during evening festivities - which constituted impromptu sessions of singing and recitation. Tapash Dasgupta, as always, gave leadership to the chorus. With many other participants, that was a truly memorable evening.

Dipankar Dasgupta and Benoy Majumder helped a lot on the marketing part of the event. There role has been truly helpful.

This is not meant to be an official 'thank you' list, and many others have chipped in to make the 3rd puja a grand success. But these are some of the few we had to name.

Last but not the least, we must collectively mention the role played by two apartment blocks - 'Ushakiran', which has been hosting the pujas for three consecutive years, and 'Nabaratna.' Inhabitants of the latter have displayed tremendous unity and solidarity with the cause by organizing the issue of collecting subscriptions within the building itself. No committee member from outside was required to visit the apartments to collect puja subscription. This shows a maturity worth emulating. Thank you both!

By the time this will be posted on the internet, the 3rd Saraswati Puja will be over. We will be looking forward to a year of peace and 'predictability' in the community. We earnestly hope that Her blessings will help drive away the dark forces of pollution (social and actual) which is constantly threatening to undermine civilised living in many such communities across the city. Amen!

14th February, 4.45 pm - from the Editor's desk.

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