Saraswati Puja lunch, patriotic events mark togetherness at housing complexes
Times of India | 24 January 2026
Kolkata: From condominiums in New Town and on EM Bypass to co-operative societies in south and north Kolkata, housing complexes kicked off the year's festival calendar with vibrant Saraswati Puja celebrations on Friday.
At South City, residents had been on their feet since morning, first organising an event to mark Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary and then, moving to Saraswati Puja. In the evening, the pandal turned into a community hub, ending with bhog distribution that drew residents of all age groups. "The enthusiastic participation was heartening," said Manoj Gupta, a member of RWA at South City.
At Siddha Pines in Rajarhat, nearly 600 residents had a community lunch at the end of the puja. "The celebrations here will continue till Republic Day, when we will have a cultural event," said Manav Mehra, the complex secretary.
Most complexes combined Saraswati Puja with patriotic overtones, it being Netaji's birth anniversary, too. Republic Day is three days away. New Town Heights in New Town, Ruchira Residency on EM Bypass and Apsara Apartment on Park Street were decked up with national flags, along with traditional puja decorations. "After the puja, we handed gifts to children. The celebrations will continue till Monday with cultural events and a community lunch," said Sanwar Agarwal, secretary of Apsara Apartment on Park Street.
At Silver Spring on EM Bypass and Greenwood Elements in New Town, separate platforms were erected for Netaji's birth anniversary and Saraswati Puja. "The back-to-back holidays led to a high turnout," said Ashok Baid, an RWA member of Silver Spring.
Daffodil Greens in Tollygunge also held a mass lunch for residents of a nearby slum. "We wanted to extend the spirit of festivity beyond our complex," said Sudip Roychowdhury, complex secretary.