‘Protect forest’ message to go out from Salt Lake Durga Puja pandal to sensitise people

Kolkata: The CE Block Durga Puja in Salt Lake has joined hands with the Bengal Forest Department to shed light on the fragile state of the Sundarbans and the looming environmental threat to Kolkata. The forest department has chosen Durga Puja as the most effective platform to disseminate conservation knowledge to the masses. The Sundarbans, famous for its mangrove cover and rich biodiversity, faces imminent danger of losing its precious ecosystems because of sea-level rise, subsidence, and increasing salinity. WBHIDCO MD and NKDA chairman Debashis Sen, has taken it upon himself to spearhead this transformative initiative as the president of the puja committee. The 44th year theme – ‘A Slice of the Sundarbans’ – aims to educate and mobilise the masses about the Sundarbans’ vulnerable state and the crucial role of mangroves in safeguarding the future of Kolkata,” said Sen, who has conceived the plan. “Mangrove acts as a natural first-line barrier that could save our city, but the general awareness is very poor for the people who visit Sundarbans. People visiting the Sundarbans dump plastic waste and damage mangroves quite extensively. What better platform than the UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja to sensitise people to this environmental concern?” he asked.The CE Block Durga Puja ground is slowly being transformed into a replica of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest delta. The pandal designed by Amit Chatterjee mirrors the traditional art of Patachitra —the scroll paintings of the Sundarbans. “Devi Durga will be depicted in Bonobibi’s avatar. The entire pandal will immerse visitors in the dense mangrove forest, complete with boat replicas and fishing nets. The unabridged Bonobibi Pala by Sundarbans artists will be staged,” said Sourav Mukherjee of the Kolkata Society for Cultural Heritage, who is executing the project. Some mangrove species will be permanently there on the green verge, he added. The forest department wing of South 24 Parganas has also taken an active part in the CE Block Durga Puja to create awareness about the need to save the Sundarbans for Kolkata.

Ronaldinho to visit Kolkata during Durga Puja

Retired Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is scheduled to visit Kolkata, India during the Durga Puja festival next month. He is expected to participate in a charity match, visit a football clinic, and attend a Durga Puja pandal. Ronaldinho will also inaugurate a statue of Lionel Messi and attend sponsor events. The official responsible for bringing football legends to Kolkata in the past has played a role in organizing Ronaldinho's visit. Additionally, Ronaldinho has a football academy, the R10 Academy, in the city.

Kolkata restos plan new hires, infra upgrade ahead of Durga Puja

Restaurants in Kolkata are preparing for the upcoming Durga Puja festival and the coinciding cricket World Cup. They are hiring more staff, upgrading infrastructure, and updating menus to handle the expected increase in footfall. Restaurateurs are also minimizing off days for staff and offering extra pay to reduce waiting times. Some establishments are expanding their space and hiring more staff to accommodate the demand. Additionally, restaurants are planning live screenings of World Cup matches and focusing on efficient delivery services. Footfall is expected to increase by 20% during Durga Puja.

RSS chief at Dagdusheth pandal for puja

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, Mohan Bhagwat, installed the Ganesh idol at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Mandal pandal in Pune. The theme of the pandal this year is the Ram temple being built in Ayodhya. Bhagwat performed special prayers and sought Lord Ganesha's blessings for the completion of the Ram temple. The pandal also features a replica of the temple with an idol of Lord Ram. In other news, actress Avneet Kaur visited the Siddhivinayak Temple on Ganesh Chaturthi to seek blessings.