Like every year, Ma Durga’s daughters are a bit iffy about their security during pandal-hopping despite the initiatives of the district administration and police to keep rowdies at bay.

This Durga Puja, the district administration would set up “May I Help You” kiosks at important locations. Besides, cops in civil dress would be on vigil.

Senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj said: ‘“May I Help You’ kiosks have been installed at important areas in the city for the first time during Durga Puja.”

Maharaj promised that women would not have to face eve-teasing this festive season. “We have taken several measures, including installation of CCTV cameras, to keep a tab on the eve-teasers.”

Tanwi Sinha, a Raja Bazaar resident, hailed the introduction of “May I Help You” kiosks. “Proper crowd management can also bring relief to women to a great extent,” she said.

“Parents of several girls find it uncomfortable to take their wards out during Puja because of eve-teasing. We do not visit the pandals where cars cannot reach to avoid rowdy elements,” she said.

Tanwi was spot on. Several youngsters sacrifice their pandal-hopping wish at the altar of some rowdy elements and partial callousness on the part of the administration.

To make the pandal-hopping experience sweet for women of all ages, The Telegraph suggests steps like introduction of female volunteers at pandals, help desks and emergency text messaging service.

Happy pandal-hopping!