The under-construction pandal of Bengali Welfare Society in Hirapur, Dhanbad, on Thursday. (Gautam Dey)
Today, fun is all about WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. But there was a time, not long ago, when the young and old would spend days playing simple board games like ludo. Or may be step out in the courtyard for a bout of kabaddi.
Just so that this idea of 'simple fun' isn't lost forever, the Bengali Welfare Society of Dhanbad has hit upon an idea. This Puja, it is recreating the good old days at the Children's Park pandal at Hirapur.
'We are decorating the 55x45 feet pandal with cut-outs of various games like Chinese checkers, gilli danda, kabaddi, ludo, snakes and ladders and spinning tops using thermocol,' said society member Kanchan Dey.
The society hopes the cut-outs at the pandal would create a sense of nostalgia among parents and inspire them to encourage children to take on such games. 'All they (kids of today) do is remain glued to mobile phones or video games which reduce group activities... as a result, they develop a sedentary lifestyle,' society president Atanu Gupta said.
Nostalgia is not the only USP of the pandal. The organisers, conscious about collective responsibility towards the environment, have decided not to use plastic.
'We will not use any plastic to promote the green cause. We will also instruct shopkeepers and vendors near the pandal not to use plastic carry bags,' secretary Gopal Bhattacharya said.
The welfare society Puja is a celebration of tradition. Hence, dhunuchi naach will be a daily affair from Sashthi on September 25, while there will also be strict Bengali dress code.
'While men will wear dhoti-kurta or kurta-pajama everyday, the women will be wearing white saris with red borders on Saptami, the day of kola bou snan. For sindur khela on Dashami, they will wear yellow saris with red borders. For visarjan the same evening, they will wear white saris with red borders,' he said.
The pandal is being erected by artistans of Murshidabad. 'The special lighting arrangements will be another attraction,' said Kanchan Dey, who added that they were organising Durga Puja at the children's park since 2015.
