KOLKATA: The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) has decided to conduct a ‘Best Covid-Safe Puja’ contest for block and gated community pujas in New Town this year.
Every year, NKDA organizes contests based on best idol, best pandal and overall Puja in New Town but this year, these contests will not be conducted since the Puja committees are scaling down the grandeur keeping in mind the pandemic situation.
Officials said that the single-category contest to decide who has organized the best Puja following all Covid-safety and preventive protocols would be decided by NKDA based on the residents’ feedback and a local NGO – the New Town Forum and News (NTFN).
“The members would visit pandals across New Town between 10am and 3pm and will submit their recommendations on best Covid-safe Puja in blocks and those for gated communities. Following their recommendations, a NKDA team will cross-check and see on their own as to how the committees have implemented safety measures. The ranking would be published in the NKDA website and prizes would be given in December,” said a NKDA official.
The Puja committees in New Town has been adviced to set up pandals keeping three sides open and to follow no-mask-no-entry step. Masks will be given in case people come without wearing them. There should be adequate space inside pandals and hand sanitizers will be dispensed at the entry point. For anjali, residents will have to bring their own flowers. There will be no cultural events.
The Puja committees said they were strictly following the Covid-safety protocol this time. “There will be no functions or community lunch this time. There will only be a small pandal with three sides open. We are also planning to have arrangements for online anjali for the residents of our housing complex,” said Subho Dasgupta of Moonbeam Abason Utsav Committee.
The traditional grandeur will not be allowed at the Upasanasthal immersion ghat. The Puja committees will not have to bring workers to unload idols as all labourers, bins, safety boats and even dhakis will be arranged by NKDA this time and a minimum number of people will accompany the immersion procession in a pre-scheduled slot to avoid gathering of people.
Every year, NKDA organizes contests based on best idol, best pandal and overall Puja in New Town but this year, these contests will not be conducted since the Puja committees are scaling down the grandeur keeping in mind the pandemic situation.
Officials said that the single-category contest to decide who has organized the best Puja following all Covid-safety and preventive protocols would be decided by NKDA based on the residents’ feedback and a local NGO – the New Town Forum and News (NTFN).
“The members would visit pandals across New Town between 10am and 3pm and will submit their recommendations on best Covid-safe Puja in blocks and those for gated communities. Following their recommendations, a NKDA team will cross-check and see on their own as to how the committees have implemented safety measures. The ranking would be published in the NKDA website and prizes would be given in December,” said a NKDA official.
The Puja committees in New Town has been adviced to set up pandals keeping three sides open and to follow no-mask-no-entry step. Masks will be given in case people come without wearing them. There should be adequate space inside pandals and hand sanitizers will be dispensed at the entry point. For anjali, residents will have to bring their own flowers. There will be no cultural events.
The Puja committees said they were strictly following the Covid-safety protocol this time. “There will be no functions or community lunch this time. There will only be a small pandal with three sides open. We are also planning to have arrangements for online anjali for the residents of our housing complex,” said Subho Dasgupta of Moonbeam Abason Utsav Committee.
The traditional grandeur will not be allowed at the Upasanasthal immersion ghat. The Puja committees will not have to bring workers to unload idols as all labourers, bins, safety boats and even dhakis will be arranged by NKDA this time and a minimum number of people will accompany the immersion procession in a pre-scheduled slot to avoid gathering of people.
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