Makaibari Tea Estate (Kurseong), Oct. 18: For the first time in 27 years, the workers of this tea estate have come together to organise a Durga Puja.

“We at Godamdhura Gaon (one of the garden villages) have been organising the puja for the past 27 years. But this time, all seven villages have joined hands to spread the message of unity, peace and love among the residents,” said Dewas Lama, the secretary of a local body which organises the puja.

The organisation, or gram sudhar samiti, was formed at Godamdhura Gaon in 1981. Since then it has organised the puja every year.

The residents, most of whom work in the tea estate, contributed cash and labour to make the puja a reality.

The garden authorities, too, donated money.

The organisers today unveiled the idol in a pandal set up on the ground in front of the estate factory. They also brought out a phulpati rally, which went through all the villages before coming to a stop at the pandal.

That is not all. A cultural programme has also been lined up for the last day of the Pujas.

“We have already prepared a stage where local children will perform Nepali folk dance and songs. All the seven villages have donated funds for the cultural programme as well,” said Robin Khawas a member of the organising committee.