BC Block residents had wanted to celebrate Basanti puja but since it is an elaborate affair stretching three days, they decided to perform Annapurna puja instead. “We had thought this would be a day-long puja but we get such tremendous community participation that this puja too now stretches three days, including cultural programmes,” said Soven Dutta. The puja was started three years ago by a handful of residents like him.
“BC Block performs almost every puja and it is good to see that it is spearheaded by ladies,” smiled MLA and minister Sujit Bose, who dropped by. Bose also acknowledged that 2026 would be the block’s 50th Durga puja. “The only puja left on their calender perhaps is Ganesh and I suggest they flag off Durga puja festivities with that too this year.”
For Annapurna puja, many residents sponsored various bits such as the goddess’s sari, fruits etc. Anjana Saha was treasurer, while Sharmistha Mitra and Ria Dutta were in charge of pandal decoration. “This time we printed out an alpana to be spread on the floor of the mandap as it would not have been possible to paint one on the artificial surface. It complimented the traditional look of red and white saris and hand fans in the background,” said Sharmistha, a painter and photographer.
Mousumi Dutta, Amrita Mukherjee, Piali Rakshit and others were in charge of cultural events. A scripted musical show on the theme of the goddess was presented, where Swagata Dasgupta wrote the script and recited, along with Sonali Siddhanta. Songs like Annapuran Biswanath were performed by the likes of Madhuri Bose, Tripti Saha and Sathi Majumdar, led by Chandrova Bhattacharjya. Madhumita Sarkar also recited from Jibanananda Das’s Rupashi Bangla.