Fest integrates faiths, spreads harmony

LUCKNOW: During Durga Puja, it is not only the pandals that come alive-a mausoleum located next to one of the puja sites is decked up too. Every year, when artisans construct opulent and illuminating pandals to welcome Goddess Durga at Model House Park, they also beautify the mausoleum built inside the park.
Sending out a message of communal harmony, just like puja pandal of Sri Sri Sarbojanin Durga Puja, the mausoleum is painted and decked up with colorful lights."Every year, we decorate the mausoleum during Durga Puja," said VK Tewari, general secretary of the committee. People in the locality say the mausoleum was built nearly 200 years ago.
Similarly, it has been nearly 40 years for Abdul Hafeez, an electrician, helping one of the oldest Durga puja pandals in the city that attracts huge crowd and earn him their compliments. Responsible for setting up of pandal and arranging electrical fitting at Bengali Club, Hafeez is not only a devout Muslim but also an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga.
61-year-old Hafeez is the first to reach the pandal for Sashti Puja. "He is very attached to the puja especially the one conducted on Sashti. Once we asked another person to take care of the sound system during Chandi Path and Hafeez's eyes filled with tears and he fought with us to do the job," said Arun Banerjee, general secretary of the Club. Hafeez, an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga, also has the image of deity in his house. "When I started working for the club as a boy, I was penniless. But now my business has expanded and I own everything because Durga Maa blessed me bountifully," he said.
Although the electrician suffers from diabetes, he seldom allows his ill health to pose hindrance during Durga puja celebrations. "There were instances in the past, when the month of Ramzan and Navaratra coincided. And I celebrated both festive occasions with equal enthusiasm," Hafeez said.
There is another Muslim, Mohammad Salim who is responsible for setting up numerous opulent Durga puja pandals for the past five years. "Even God will shower double the happiness on me as I value equality of religion," said Salim. Likewise, his friend, Mohammad Alim involved in floral decoration of pandal said if today he can happily run his livelihood, it is by the grace of the deity.
Encroachment a problem for organizers
The encroachment by makeshift as well as permanent shopkeepers around Hewett Road has increased the trouble for organisers of Durga Puja committees. "From Sashti, devotees in large number will visit the six major Durga Puja pandals located in the area. As shopkeepers in the locality have encroached roads and pavements, the area has become very congested. The congested bylanes can lead to traffic jam. Besides, taking advantage of the situation, some miscreants can snatch chains and purses of the devotees," said Arun Banerjee, general secretary of Bengali Club.