The Sunderbans in the delta of the Ganges in West Bengal plans to introduce home stay in order to improve tourism

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is keen to introduce home stay in a big way. She looks at this as a development tool for the proposed Sunderbans district. This would be carved out from the districts of North and South 24-Parganas. The delta consists of 54 small islands. Here job opportunities are limited and main means of livelihood are fishing and crab hunting. In order to generate alternative livelihood for these people, the Bengal government plans to exploit the region’s tourism potential. It wants to do this through homestays with financial support from the administration. The chief minister, during a public meeting, said “I am trying to bring tourists here…. I have inaugurated nine jetties today (Tuesday) to explore river connectivity so that tourists can come.” She went on to advise residents to set up homestays. This is a facility gaining popularity with tourists in north Bengal. Her advice was - “Take one room in your home and turn it into a homestay accommodation so that tourists can stay. This will help local youths to earn a living.” Mamata advocates for homestay to boost Sunderbans tourism.

She described home stay as gharoa hotel and assured - “They (tourists) can spend a night at your home. We will give you money so that a bio-toilet is installed as well as a cot and a television set. Tourists will pay you for lodging and food in the way they pay for staying in big hotels.” She added that “this is one of the many initiatives that I have planned for you.”

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Unique flower market of Kolkata at Mullick Ghat on the banks of the Hooghly

Flowers are required for any ritual from different pujas and birthdays to wedding and death. When the requirement is for bulk supply, all eyes focus on the wholesale market at Mullick Ghat in Kolkata. It is located on the banks of the Hoogly River opposite the Howrah Railway Station and comes to life with the first rays of the sun. The flower sellers arrive at dawn by train with the fresh flowers from their far-off villages. It is not just about flowers, but innumerable decorations with flowers that has survived for well over a century. Rammohan Mullick built the ghat in 1855. It was in memory of his father Nimai Charan Mullick. Another ghat known as the Jagannath Ghat, built by Shobharam Basak in 1760, stands right next to the Mullick Ghat. The history of how the flower trade originated at Mullick Ghat is not known. However, it might have links to the religious factor related to pilgrims heading to Puri. Today, this ghat is one of the most vibrant, active and crowded sections of the Hooghly along Kolkata. Mullick Ghat market: Saying it with flowers for well over a century. In the words of a member of the seller’s association of the market, this part of Kolkata attracts innumerable people every day.

They come from different parts of Bengal regularly and the market caters to all kinds of budgets. This is [one of] Asia’s largest flower markets. It is a fact that like other businesses elsewhere, this has also dwindled. The sellers have to be content with negligible profits. However, the endless varieties of requirements for different rituals and festivals that happen throughout the year brings home something extra. As a veteran explains - “Ever since the pandemic, the sales at the market are not encouraging or healthy at all, and we are just able to make ends meet.” When one comes across a flower or a flower decoration when in Kolkata, one must remember that such a creation is a result of the hard toil and daily struggle of countless people. They include those who grow them and transport them from far-off villages to the market in Kolkata.

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It is festival time in Kolkata with Navratri and Durga Puja

West Bengal and its capital Kolkata are famous for the large-scale, opulent pujas. The organizers work night and day to present artistic creations that attract people from not just different parts of Bengal and from all over the country, but even globally. This has been made possible because of the recognition accorded by UNESCO in 2021. It has granted recognition in the form of Heritage Status to 'Durga Puja in Kolkata.' This is inscribed in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Those who plan a trip to Kolkata during the festival can expect memorable experiences of gorging on yummy food, praying to Goddess Durga, pandal hopping, and loving every bit of the festivities. These are what Durga puja is all about. Eat, pray, love! 5 things to do while visiting Kolkata during Durga Puja 2022; visit THESE top 20 pandals. It has to be remembered that pandal hopping translates into crowds and hot and humid surroundings. It is better to wear comfortable footwear because you might have to walk long distances and remain in queue for a long time to get a darshan of the idols and the magnificent pandals.

There is a craze among some people to visit 'Bonedi bari' puja. These are family pujas dating back to centuries and involve aristocratic households. There is no commercialization and they do not go in for glamor and glitz of the baroyari pujas. The number of such families is few and the uniqueness is that on this annual festival, members of the family come together from far corners of the world. These turn out to be unforgettable homecomings. Of course, food lovers enjoy street foods, sweets and eating out at the city's famous restaurants. From fuchka (or the gol gappa or pani puri) to jhal muri (puffed rice with special spices) and the famous Kolkata roll – the list is a long one. In many restaurants, food lovers may have to wait in queues for their turn.

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A Durga Puja in the Netherlands will distribute khichudi bhog on paper plates made by women of the Sunderbans

The Durga Puja has gone beyond the boundaries of Bengal. In 2017 some Bengalis of the Netherlands began the celebration there. The venue is the community center in Eindhoven. This is a major city in the North Brabant province in the Netherlands and the birthplace of the multinational company Philips. This year the Bengalis there will enter a new phase in their lives when they use paper plates made by the women of the Sunderbans. They will use these environment friendly plates to distribute khichudi bhog to the devotees who will come to the festivities. Khichudi bhog is a delectable dish made by boiling rice with pulses and a variety of vegetables that usually include potatoes, pumpkins, brinjal, cauliflower, green peas etc. Items like onions, garlic are taboo. Some whole spices including fried dry red chilies add zing to the final product. There is also a tomato dish known as chutney. The dish is served in community lunches on the occasion of the pujas usually on steel plates, some go in for plastic or thermocol plates. Mangrove plates from Sunderbans for Puja in the Netherlands. This year, the Netherlands will switch over to paper plates made in the Sunderbans. The organizers had ordered around 3,500 plates, cups and bowls and the consignment has reached the destination.

Besides generating income for the women, the paper plates reduce the adverse effect of plastic on the fragile ecosystem of the mangrove delta. Local hotels, homestays and tourist vessels have been the main buyers of the paper utensils. Now, it is making inroads into the overseas market. The Bengali community in and around Eindhoven consist of a “few hundred families.” Although it is a Bengali celebration, others also join. The IndoDutch Care Foundation, based in The Hague, established the link between the Durga Puja community and the manufacturing venture in the Sunderbans. The group started in May 2020, after Cyclone Amphan. Initially it started with a few hundred plates on a daily basis – the figure is now in thousands. Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to the Sunderbans ecosystem and replacing plastic with paper is the best option.

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Huge sea waves damage a portion of the Marine Drive between Digha and Mandarmani

The 16-Km long Marine Drive between the popular sea beaches Digha and Mandarmani includes three bridges. Completed a few months ago, chief minister Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to inaugurate it. However, huge waves have damaged a portion of the Marine Drive just three days before the inauguration. It seems a well-marked low-pressure area over the west-central and northwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a “deep depression.” This led to a turbulent sea. Cyclone Yaas had washed away a portion in May last year. That led to the construction of a metal road. Mamata Banerjee was expected to visit riding vehicles during the proposed inauguration on September 14. However, heavy rainfall in the last week of August led to damages making it difficult for the movement of traffic. It was repaired but was again damaged by strong sea waves. Waves damage stretch of Marine Drive at Digha. A senior official of the district administration said: “The Marine Drive will be inaugurated informally by the chief minister on September 14 as scheduled during her administrative meeting. But her visit to and ride at the Marine Drive has been postponed for obvious reasons.”

The police administration had “strictly prohibited” sea bathing in Digha and adjacent areas until Tuesday. Other popular sea beaches like Bakkhali, and Kakdwip were closed to tourists. Local sources informed about damages to agricultural production on large areas due to inundation. Irrigation department informed about damages to earthen dykes along many rivers. These included the Kalindi, Gourseshwar, Ichhamati, and the Choto Kalaghachi. The irrigation department has undertaken repair of the dykes on priority.

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The India Meteorological Department IMD cautions about intense rainfall activity in Odisha and West Bengal

Odisha and West Bengal would experience heavy rainfall activity over the next few days. The India Meteorological Department IMD mentioned about a fresh low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. It might intensify. Under its influence, there would be widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls along with thunderstorms and lightning. The affected regions would be over Gangetic West Bengal from Sept 10-13 and over Odisha from Sept 10-14. Both these states are under orange alert. This means they could face rough weather for the periods mentioned. There are orange alerts in some districts of Odisha but not for Bengal yet. However, southern districts of Bengal, including Kolkata, will be on a yellow watch. This means ‘be aware’ of the weather situation. Odisha and West Bengal In for Very Heavy Rains from September 10-14 Thanks to Bay of Bengal-Born Low Pressure.

Areas with forecast of very heavy showers might have to tackle localized flooding, waterlogging on roads and in low-lying areas, disruption of traffic, damage to weak roads and structures, localized landslides/mudslides, reduction in visibility and damage to crops. This means the residents need to abide by weather and traffic advisories and avoid remaining in vulnerable structures and visiting flood-prone areas. The impacts caused by the Bay of Bengal low-pressure could extend to other areas like western, central, southern and northeastern parts of the country. So far, both Odisha and Bengal are in the below-average rainfall category. This deficit could have long tern effects.

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Bengalis of Kolkata love mouthwatering dishes and Khaibaar Pass helps them choose the best

Bengalis of Kolkata love mouthwatering dishes and Khaibaar Pass helps them choose the best

TV reality shows, social media and food festivals like Khaibaar Pass have helped give an impetus to the culinary scene in Kolkata. Hotels and restaurants go all out to woo the food lovers with exotic dishes and food festivals keep creating new varieties of well-known products. Fuchka is a household name in Bengal and is known as golguppa in other places. These fall in the category of cheap fast foods. However, in Khaibaar Pass this has multiple varieties like chicken fuchka, ice cream fuchka, chocolate fuchka – the price range is several times more than that in the roadside stalls. ABP Ananda is a major media house in Bengal. It arranges an annual three-day food festival ‘Khaibaar Paas.’ This is where foodies arrive to taste unique culinary dishes from restaurants and food outlets in Bengal. The 8th edition of this food festival took in the city in March, 2022. ABP Ananda launches Khaibaar Paas food festival.

At this festival, those who love food can sample delicacies from innumerable food stalls and sees thousands of footfalls every day. The festival offers business opportunity to all those involved in the world of food and includes restaurants and food joints. There are major well-known brands who sponsor the event. Products include Biryanis, Kebabs, traditional Bengali dishes, sea food, sweets and snackable items to Mughlai, to Chinese and Lebanese dishes. In addition, there are fun games to maintain the festive mood. As an official of the network said - “Khaibaar Paas has been able to carve out a niche for itself in the Bengali food space.”

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Bengal appears to be a state where a fish trader turns out to be a another crorepati

This time, the credit of unearthing another man with crores of rupees in his possession goes to the Crime Investigation Department CID. He is a fish trader and the sleuths recovered more than Rs 1.3 crore in cash from his residence. The location is a village in Gazole of Malda district. The CID arrested the trader and has taken him to the police station for interrogation. It seems the police had prior information about the individual and his involvement in drug related activities, especially cough syrups. Based on the information the CID team arrived, conducted the raid and recovered the cash. There was currency notes in denomination of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 in different rooms. Once the cash was brought in one place, the team called for a counting machine from the local branch of a bank. CID raids fish trader's house, recovers Rs 1.3 crore cash.

The neighbors were stunned to know about the horde of cash in the house of the fish trader. One of them admitted - . “We had no idea that Saha was involved in any wrongdoing.” Another villager said - “He would take ponds and swamps on lease, harvest different varieties of fish and sell those to wholesale fish traders.” None of his neighbors had any inkling about his illegal activities. Until now, central agencies like the ED and CBI had been identifying political heavyweights and individuals and unearthing their crores. Now, the CID of the state is unearthing common traders with more crores. One can safely say Bengal offers innumerable opportunities to those who know the tricks of the trade to mint millions.

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Jilebi and Vada-pau make it to a list of 50 of the best street foods in Asia

Street foods have become the norms in any country. The world today has much to offer and one of these is the mouthwatering street foods. Those who operate these joints try their utmost to promote the cuisine unique to their own country. These could be in the raw or fried, baked, or even refrigerated. A list of 50 of the best street foods in Asia shows jilebi and vada pav as favorites of India. For our neighbor Pakistan, it is falooda and for Bangladesh, it is fuchka. Both are favorites of India also.

Jilebi is a sweet and people in Kolkata and Bengal love to take it as a part of breakfast. It is easy to make and cheap. Obviously, there are many takers and a combination of kachuri and jilebi is always on the cards for the common man. Kachuri is also very popular and ovens begin making these items even before the day breaks. Customers literally queue up to share the hot kachuris with a few jilebi. In Maharashtra, jilebis do not find a place at breakfast but are a welcome treat later in the day. They also appear during marriage feasts.

Vada pav is an Indian version of the burger and is popular in Mumbai. The outer portion is a bread-like casing stuffed with a mixture of mashed potato, onion, chilly, chopped coriander leaves and spices. The mixture is made into balls. These are then dipped in a batter of besan (powdered gram) and are deep-fried. Each of these balls is then stuffed into the bread (better known as pav) and then served.

Other street foods country wise (alphabetically) are –

Bangladesh – Fuchka
Bhutan - Ema datshi
Brunei - Kuih cincin
Cambodia - Lort cha
China - Jianbing, Jiaozi, Laping, Tibet, Rou jia mo, Xiao long bao
Hong Kong - Cheong fun, Curry fish balls, Egg waffles
Indonesia - Gado gado, Getuk, Kerak telor
Japan - Sofuto kurimu, Takoyaki, Yakitori
Laos - Khao jee, Nam khao
Malaysia - Asam laksa, Nasi lemak, Rojak
Maldives - Kavaabu, Khuushuur
Myanmar - Lahpet thoke, Mohinga
Nepal - Momos,
Pakistan - Bun kebab, Falooda,
Philippines - Halo-halo, Kwek kwek
Sri Lanka - Achcharu, Hoppers
Singapore - Chili crab, Kaya toast
South Korea - Kimbap, Tteokbokki
Thailand - Crab omelets, Khao soi, Sai krok Isan
Taiwan - Salt & pepper fried chicken, Stinky tofu
Vietnam - Banh mi, Iced coffee, Pho

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It is easy to mint millions in Bengal if one knows the ropes and has the right contacts

KBC, hosted by superstar Amitabh Bachhan, is a very popular TV show. Some of the participants hit the jackpot and win lakhs of rupees, a few even win crores. However, in Bengal, anyone can mint millions provided he knows the ropes and has the right contacts. This is not a fig of one’s imagination but true. It seems a relative of Partha Chatterjee, who worked as a house painter, now owns a number of hotels in tourist spots like Darjeeling, Uttarakhand and Puri apart from Dubai. He also owns multiple land and farmhouses in New Town-Rajarhat area. This individual is Prasanna Kumar Roy, the second middleman in SSC scam case. The CBI has taken him into custody from New Town. His is a rags to riches story and proof that it is easy to mint millions in Bengal if one has the correct contacts. CBI arrests close relative of Partha Chatterjee - once a HOUSE PAINTER, now owner of farm houses, hotels in DUBAI. It was a shock to the state of Bengal when it saw the mountain of money and properties belonging to Partha Chatterjee and Arpita Mukherjee. Partha is now in jail. He was a minister in the cabinet of chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Another person who is believed to have benefited from contacts in right places is Saigal Hossain, bodyguard of Anubrata Mondal. CBI has already arrested both of them on charges of cattle smuggling. In its chargesheet, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claims that Saigal Hossain received 'illgotten' money on behalf of Anubrata Mondal. The CBI alleged that Hossain earned Rs 26.35 lakhs over a period of seven years from 2015-2022. Investigations revealed the entire amount was deposited in an account maintained by a local bank. CBI arrested Hossain in June. According to the CBI chargesheet, Mondal is the alleged kingpin of the cattle smuggling racket. Enamul Haque was another of his associates. His role was to extend protection and patronage to those who bought the animals at a market in Ilambazar. The modus operandi was to ferry the animals from the market to thr Indo-Bangla border. Cattle smuggling case: Over 26 lakhs earned by Anubrata Mondal’s bodyguard in 7 years, says CBI. Saigal Hossain had purchased innumerable properties during 2015 and 2022 in various places.

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Society is in peril when leaders use unparliamentarily language in public

Bengal is passing through difficult times. Charges of corruption against political leaders is not new but these have been rocking the scenario in Bengal. First, it was Parthha Chatterjeee, a minister who is believed to have minted a fortune. He was an influential leader of the Trinamool Congress and used to be close to a film actress Arpita Banerjee of Tollywood. Both came under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate and are presently in jail. He lost his ministerial berth and many other portfolios. He was a minister but the party did not stand by him. Its suoremo Mamata Banerjee threw him to the wolves. Then the cattle smuggling racket came to the forefront. This time it was the Central Bureau of Invetigation at work. Here, Anubrata Mondal, another heavyweight of the same party was involved. This person loved to use unparliamentarily language in public. Moreover, he enjoyed the blessings of Mamata Banerjee the party supremo. In fact, she came out openly in his support. That changed the equation. As protests over corruption grow in Bengal, more Trinamool leaders began to use threatening language. Emboldened by her open support to Anubrata, another Trinamool leader used unparliamentarily language in public. The worst part is that this leader Saugata Roy was a retired physics professor in a college and well educated. People held him in high esteem. It was strange to hear such an educated person speak in an uncouth language and utter such words.

There have been earlier instances of leaders using filthy language. It hurts society when well-educated and apparently genteel leaders use threatening language. Kalyan Banerjee, a senior counsel of the Calcutta High Court, hurled intimidating abuses from a public rally recently in Hooghly district. He said - “If Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are maligned, the opposition parties will be beaten up.” Then there was Madan Mitra, another Trinamool Congress legislator who advised his followers to practice stick combats and set up special centers for training. He even promised to supply the sticks.

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In Bengal, recruitment for schoolteachers depends on candidates clearing the West Bengal Teacher Eligibility Test (WBTET). This is usually known as the TET. It seems Anubrata Mondal’s daughter got employed as a primary teacher without appearing for the qualifying examination. Not only she but also a few other members of Anubrata’s family also got employed and none of them cleared the TET. This has come to light only now. There have been complaints and the Kolkata High Court has directed these individuals to appear in Court immediately. They have to appear with their TET qualifying certificates and appointment letters. SSC Scam: More Trouble for Anubrata As Calcutta HC Summons Daughter Who Got Job ‘Without Qualifying TET’. This has added to the problems of the Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal. He has already been arrested in cattle smuggling case. Now, his name is linked to the West Bengal school recruitment scam.

It seems Anubrata Mondal’s daughter never physically attended the school. Her school was within the Bolpur circle and was within walking distance from her home. Moreover, the school would send over the attendance register to her residence for her to sign. To add to the miseries of her father, the CBI has reportedly seized around Rs 17 crores from fixed deposits in banks belonging to him and his relatives. They have frozen the accounts. CBI has also located a large number of immovable assets owned by the father-daughter duo in various places in Bolpur, Kolkata and other places.

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Independence of India – I was there on that day

Mamata distances herself from Partha, throws her weight behind Anubrata

Politics is a strange game and those who belong to this community enjoy it as long as feasible. In Bengal, it is Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who calls the shots. She overthrew the Left Front government and came to power. Gradually, she used her unique tactics to win over the people and make use of every available opportunity to promote her programs. She deserves credit for large-scale diversification, beautification and innumerable innovations. Obviously, she had to rely on local leaders and some of them went in for underhand dealings. Mamata Banerjee, popularly known as Didi (sister) is a multi-faceted personality and a woman who is an artist, a poet and an orator par excellence. She did reprimand the erring grassroots workers m from time to time and had to have a strong man to keep a check on erring workers. Anubrata Mondal was one such individual. Therefore, when the CBI arrested him, Mamata-didi blew her top. Mamata comes out in support of Anubrata. She refused to accept the fact that Anubrata could be involved in cattle smuggling. That gave a boost to his ego.

However, a few days earlier, the ED arrested another of Mamata’s men. He was Partha Chatterjee, a Minister who held several other portfolios. At that time, Mamata-didi did not stand by him. In fact, she removed him from all posts and literally threw him to the wolves. Obviously, Partha felt bad because he had played an important role in promoting the Durga Puja. This helped Bengal bag the prestigious UNESCO Cultural Heritagee award. It was a feather in the cap of Mmata-didi. However, she chose to remain silent and Partha Chatterjee did not get her support. Both arrests were made by agencies of the central government. The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI arrested Anubrata Mondal while the Enforcement Directorate ED arrested Partha Chatterjee. Both agencies have to rely on evidence and intelligence from the local investigation agencies. That is a difficult task. Hence, conviction is usually a dream. It is all a game and everyone has to play his part.

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Independence of India – I was there on that day

Yes, I was present on 15th of August 1947. It was the Independence Day of India and I was a three-year old child at the time. On this, the 75th Independence Day, I still remember how people enjoyed the occasion. At that time, I stayed with my parents and younger brother in Belgachhia. It was in North Calcutta and my father owned a lorry. He with two of his friends had a business of sorts. They used to transport coal from the coalfields and distribute them to the local dealers. They had a very trusted driver who was a Muslim and played a crucial role. It was a period of unrest with riots between the two communities prior to the partition of Bengal. The driver would ensure that the lorry with my father and his friends would move out safely through sensitive spots. He carried a change of clothes in the lorry and the occupants wore them, as necessary, to avoid any local problems. These are what my father told me much later when I could understand the intricacies.

Anyway – to come back to details of 15th of August 1947. It was raining and I was in the lorry. It was crowded and my parents were there as were the families of his partners. There were many others and the, lorry was crowded as were the roads. They were jam packed with people who carried the Indian flag and shouted slogans of Bharat Mata ki jai. There were also lines of vehicles and all of them were moving at a snail’s pace in one direction. All of them wanted to see the huge statue of Bharat Mata that a shop in College Street had put up. The shop was a landmark. It sold readymade clothes and the statue was enclosed in a glass case on the first floor and visible from the road. It was still there in the 1960s when I used to travel to my school in Bowbazar Street and college in Park Street. I do not know if it is still there.

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Pomp and glamour in Durga Puja in Bengal

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Pomp and glamour in Durga Puja in Bengal

Durga Puja holds a pride of place in Bengal. It is an occasion when the whole of Bengal comes together to enjoy a few days of unbridled fun. There are hundreds of Pujas and organizers spend hours to come up with new and innovative ideas to capture the imagination of the public and increase footfalls. There have been decorations where the bulk of material used defy imagination. In the past, some have gone in for bamboos, others relied on sea shells, others on coconut while others selected discarded parts of motor vehicles. The design of the pandals relied on well-known buildings including temples, churches, castles and other such unique structures. It seems the brains behind the pujas begin work much in advance. In fact, the planning stage takes off soon after immersion of the idols. Incidentally, the scale of the festivities expanded about a decade earlier. It coincided with a new government taking over. Youngsters are usually the prime movers who breathe life into festivals. In this case, also, they emerged on the scene to change the concept of celebrations. They had the support of people who matter. Thus, the new age Durga Puja came into existence where there was no dearth of funds and the imagination of the organizers could take wings. This festival earned the UN Cultural Heritage status in 2021.

The organizers rightly deserve this recognition because it is a combined effort of not only Bengalis but also all those who contribute. They come from all walks of life and work towards a common goal – success of the programs. These begin from carrying the idols from Kumartuli to the lorries for moving to the pandals till the immersion of the idols in the Hoogly River. Then there are the dance programs mostly of housing societies. The participants include Bengalis and non-Bengalis. When the time comes for community lunch, a common feature, everyone sits together – irrespective of religious faith.

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Will the Sun shine in Bengal on Sujjo Kanta? (satire)

The elections were finally over and, while all of them had heaved a sigh of relief, suspense hang heavily in the air because no one could hazard a guess on which way the wind was blowing. Will Didi score 294? Will the Sun shine on Sujjo Kanta? Didi and her band of followers had, suddenly, vanished from the scene and there were fears in certain quarters that many tall claims had fizzled out – after all, one cannot fool others indefinitely, the truth was bound to come out in the open.
‘I think we should draw up some action plan,’ Sujjo Kanta said. ‘I can feel power creeping back it into my bones.’
‘You are right,’ Audy Choudy agreed. ‘I am in contact with my bosses in Delhi and, once I get the go ahead, I can breathe easy. Our gang can give a new meaning to the people who have got fed up within five years.’

‘Yes, we must abandon the experiment that has fallen flat on its face,’ Sujjo Kanta said. ‘And – embark on a new experiment.’
Momad Sulley and Ritu Bruto had been listening till now. Sulley opened his mouth.
‘Agriculture is our power and we must weave industry into the fabric to get noticed,’ he said. ‘We must move with the times.’
‘Instead of one motor company manufacturing one type of cars we must have several of them – and, they must make use of common facilities,’ Ritu Bruto added.
‘You mean to say we must have dedicated groups of men to ensure that everything goes as per our plans? And – there will be no coercion or use of force?’
‘Yes – farmers must be willing participants,’ Ritu Bruto went on. ‘We do not want to burn our fingers again. Our strategy must be to marry agriculture with industry. That way, all parties will be happy. Our motto should be to spread happiness and goodwill.’
Audy Choudy looked from Sujjo Kanta to Ritu Bruto and Momad Sulley.
‘And – how do we do that?’ he asked.
Wee Man Bose, the wizened old man had been a silent spectator till now. It was now his turn to make his presence felt. ‘There is a time and place for everything,’ he said slowly. ‘Let us not put the cart before the horse. Once the time is ripe, all the jigsaw pieces will fall in place.’
‘And create a wonderful canvas,’ Sujjo Kanta said.
‘A canvas that will not be for sale,’ Ritu Bruto added. (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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