SANTINIKETAN: Visva-Bharati authorities are planning changes in the date and rules of Basanta Utsav to make it more orderly. Basanta Utsav, a festival started by
Rabindranath Tagore, is celebrated at
Santiniketan
on Holi day. According to a source, the festival could be held on February 19 this year, while Holi will be celebrated on March 9.
Santiniketan Trust member Anil Konar said there was no rule regarding the date of Basanta Utsav. "Shamindranath (Rabindranath's son), organized Basanta Bandana at Patha Bhavan on Sri Panchami. Things need to change as per the situation. Last year, the situation nearly went out of control due to heavy rush of visitors," he said.
Police said nearly two lakh visitors thronged the campus during Basanta Utsav in 2019, causing major security concerns. Konar said a centralized programme is unlikely this year. Each bhavan (department) may hold separate events.
"All employees have agreed to the change. We can't handle so many people," said
Kishore Bhattacharya
, a teacher and joint secretary of the Visva-Bharati Karmi Mandali. While a section of hoteliers and traders, fearing a fall in revenue, has raised a hue and cry, the University is unlikely to yield.
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