While others have a blast during the Pujas, there are those who have to work extra hard. We spoke to men and women who do their bit to make the Pujas a safe, spiritual and festive affair.

 

 

R.K. Pachnanda Commissioner of police, Calcutta

The Kolkata Police work round-the-clock to ensure the safety and security of the public during the Pujas. And I am no exception. Generally the men in uniform don’t have any time to spend with their families during the Pujas. But that is of no consequence as our chief enjoyment at this time, or at any other, comes from doing our duty towards the people.

Bobby Hakim Minister for urban development, and president, Chetla Agrani Club Durga Puja

The Pujas are all about festivity. But I will be busy with my constituency work in the mornings. I might go to Writers’ Buildings as well. I will also accompany the chief minister while she visits pandals. At night I will be at my para pandal. Being the president of Chetla Agrani Club’s puja committee, I am actively involved in organising it. So I have to be there in the evenings. I will also visit some pandals of the port area.

Anirban Datta Anaesthetist and intensivist, Woodlands Hospital and RKM Hospital, Calcutta

The Pujas are never a respite for me. In fact, we have to be extra vigilant during the festive days and see to emergency cases, if any. Normally, there are fewer pre-planned surgeries during the Pujas. But the ICUs, for the critical patients, are always full. Sometimes we get road traffic accident cases during the Pujas. If I do manage to get a break from work, I take my family out for pandal-hopping.

Agnimitra Paul Fashion designer

I shall be busier than usual during the Pujas. On Panchami, I am going to inaugurate a 175-year-old puja in north Calcutta. On Sashthi, I will be judging the pujas for ICore Puja Awards. On Ashtami, I shall be spending time with underprivileged children. On Navami, I will try to make time to visit the Maddox Square Park Puja as it is just beside my studio.

Sunder Gurung Traffic policeman

During the festive season my duty hours get extended by two hours. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have fun during the Pujas. I might not get leave to visit my native place, Darjeeling, but I do enjoy myself here. I go pandal-hopping with my friends whenever I get the chance.

Rakhi Purnima Dasgupta Restaurateur

I don’t get time to enjoy the Pujas at all. I get up early in the morning and go to the Kewpie’s kitchen. And then begins a long day, what with planning a festive menu and supervising its execution. At the end of it, I feel too tired to go out. But I do make it a point to visit my para puja at Northern Park at least once because they invite me to take part in the festivities.

Gopal Kumar Bhattacharya, Director, West Bengal fire and emergency services

I shall report at my office as usual. Despite meeting puja organisers and co-ordinating with Lal Bazaar Police Station way ahead of the Pujas, we still have to be on our toes at this time to make sure that we attend to any outbreak of fire quickly. I get to spend very little time with my family during the Pujas. In fact, in my 30 years of service I have never been able to take my family for a Puja vacation.

Ram Narayan Bhattacharya Head priest, Shovabazar Rajbari

I have been conducting the Rajbari puja for the past 50 years. I am a stickler for rules, so I see to it that we perform all the rituals according to the Rajbari tradition. For five days, starting from Panchami and bodhon, I camp on the thakurdalan (the hall where the idol is placed). I fast during the main puja, and don’t drink even a drop of water from early morning till the evening aarti. Naturally, I don’t get any time to socialise at this time. But I am the last priest of my generation. I don’t know if our legacy will continue in the years to come.

Shankar Sahu Street food seller

I have been selling phuchkas at Maddox Square Park for the past 40 years. I look forward to the Pujas as that’s when we make maximum profits — at least four to five times more than what we make on normal days. I spend the entire day at the park. People enjoy my phuchkas, but I never gorge on junk food during the Pujas. I make do with the rice and dal that I get in the roadside stalls!

Toton Das Dhaki

Every year I travel from my village in Beldanga in Murshidabad to beat the drums for the Triangular Park Durga Puja. I feel bad to leave my family behind, but what to do? After all, I earn far more in these few days than what I earn daily as a jewellery craftsman. I love the Pujas as it not only gives me a chance to visit the city, but also to earn a lot.