Communities plan grand events to usher in new year

JAMSHEDPUR: Different communities residing in the Steel City are prepared to herald Spring andn welcome the New Year with colourful and fun-filled festivities.

The members of the Sikh community will celebrate Baisakhi on April 14. The ‘mukhya sewadar’ of Sakchi Gurdwara, Nishan Singh, told TOI that people come in large numbers to offer prayers and listen to kirtans. The footfall of devotees having prasad at the langars at all gurdwaras across the city is much higher on this day.

Meanwhile, the Odia community members will celebrate their new year — Pana Sankranti — on the day. The general secretary of the Utkal Association, Tarun Mahanty, said a ‘kavi sammelan’ will be organised in which over 20 poets will participate.

GR Murti of Madrasi Sammelani said the Tamil community members will welcome Puthandu, also known as Puthuvarudam, by offering special prayers at the temples in Bistupur, Kadma, and Tinplate areas on April 15. Ethnic cuisines would be served at the Madrasi Sammelani canteen. Nagraj Raichuri said Mangai-pachadi is prepared with sweet jaggery, raw mango, neem flowers, and red chilies. A combination of different flavours, the recipe is a symbolic lesson that one must be prepared for all experiences in life. Vishu will be celebrated the next day.

The Bengali community members plan to celebrate ‘Poila Boisakh’ in a grand manner. With no Covid restrictions, clubs have lined up food festivals and cultural functions to welcome the new year. Singer Rajdeep Mukherjee will enthrall the audience at The Bengal Club on April 16. The musical event will be accompanied by mouth-watering Bengali cuisines, said Debashish Naha, an office bearer of the club.

On the morning of April 15, several organisations will hold ‘Prabhat Pheris’ in which school students will also participate.

Local artists will perform at the musical nite organised by the Telco-based Sabuj Kalyan Sangha, said Amit Bose of the club.

More than a century old, The Milanee will host a musical programme on April 16 in which singers Pritam Kumar and Devarshi Tarafder will perform.