Chetla-Kalighat-Hazra

High on innovative themes but low on the True Spirit parameters was what dominated most of the pujas on the Kalighat route.  

Practically none of the pandals on Panchami morning had set up their help desks, drinking water supply and first aid counters, but promised to have them running by evening. Plastic or other non-biodegradable items weren’t used at all in most pandals which added bonus points for them. 

Chetla Agrani Club, which had won the 5 Star Puja award in 2014, was a riot of colours, all made from a special variety of bamboo from Assam. Based on the theme of Yoga, the idol was not in the usual mahishasur mardini form but instead in her yogi form. The club had its safety precautions and security measures in order. From a water supply connection from the swimming pool for extinguishing fire to a special childcare area, they had it all. 

64 Pally, a veteran participant in the CESC The Telegraph True Spirit Puja, powered by Patanjali, impressed with their wide range of social activities throughout the year which was displayed outside the pandal through pictures on a huge banner. There were drinking water facilities and resting areas specifically for senior citizens. 

“Debi Ghare Baire” was the theme for Kalighat Milan Sangha, which ticked almost all boxes of True Spirit pointers. Well-maintained washrooms and a help desk were impressive but first-aid supplies were yet to arrive. 

In it’s 73rd year, they highlighted the importance of women in our households who are seldom appreciated for their great contribution towards running homes. 

Agradut Uday Sangha had designated entry and exit points, but lacked in other True Spirit pointers. The pandal was well decorated with handicrafts like kantha work, patachitra and terracotta work.

Chetla Sarbasadharaner Durgotsab used thermocol, which is not environment friendly, for most of the decorations. Juba Maitry, on the contrary, used only cloth for decorations while the idol has been made by using only terracotta. 
Bengal Boys Training Association had the theme of nature and conservation of trees but lacked in areas like sanitation and safety. Sanghasree Kalighat had a 35 ft idol which might create a hindrance when it has goes for immersion. 
Forward Club and Hazra Udayan Sangha were not ready by Panchami morning and both had glaring gaps as far as organising a clean-green puja goes.

           Rupsha Bhadra

Lake Market-Mudiali-Chowringhee

While most of the big budget pujas on the Lake Market-Mudiali route have successfully managed to meet the major parameters of True Spirit Puja 2016, it was heartwarming to see debutants and small-scale Pujas trying their best to put up a hospitable and safe environment for their patrons. 

Mudiali Club’s Rajasthani Gemstone painting-themed Puja is fireproof with ramps and wheelchairs for the disabled. The club has round-the-clock CCTV coverage since December — a first of its kind in Calcutta. The first-aid area has two beds, along with functional toilets that are cleaned every two hours. 

66 Palli Sarbojonin Durgotsav Committee is celebrating 66 years with old Calcutta. As for the True Spirit parameters, they have six fire extinguishers, an ambulance, wheelchairs and a medical team from RN Tagore Hospital on duty. But the absence of separate toilets for men and women might pose a problem. 

Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity’s pandal has been made entirely of wood, but there are no fire safety hazards as trained firefighters will be stationed at the venue on all the Puja days. They have clean bio-toilets for men and women, six CCTV cameras and two nurses for emergencies. “No plastic has been used to ensure a eco-friendly environment. In fact, all Pujas have changed because of the True Spirit awards... we are more conscious about the small details that matter,” Partha Ghosh, general secretary, said. 

Badamtala Ashar Sangha continued to put up an exemplary performance in terms of True Spirit parameters: five ambulances, wheelchairs and bio-toilets. “All the materials are covered in fireproof spray and we have abundant fire extinguishers,” Sandip Chakroborty, secretary, said. 

Kalighat Nepal Chatterjee Street Club’s pandal is on the lines of Ghanteshwari Mandir in Odisha. There are clean toilets and drinking water facilities.

Lake Youth Corner, Sammilani and Rashbehari Suhrid Sangha also tried to match the True Spirit parameters, but most fell short in some categories on Panchami morning. 

The Interact Club puja of Chowringhee High School is organised by students, teachers and alumni. This year’s theme is “70 years of Independence”. 

                            Debroop Basu

Maniktala-Kankurgachhi-Ultadanga

None of the puja pandals was completely prepared early on Panchami.

Theme was the common thread that tied all the puja pandals except for Manicktala CIT Palli Scheme VI (M) Durgotsav Committee be it Debanjali for Yuba Brinda or Bankurar ranga maati, Banglar ranga haashi for Judgebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav. 

In keeping with the essence of True Spirit Puja, every pandal has tried to keep crowd safety in mind. 
Buddhadev Ghosh, artisan of Ultadanga Daspara Sarbojanin Durgotsab — a “small-budget puja with a big heart” and a True Spirit first-timer — said: “Our theme for the year is Kalighat Pat Sanghashala and we have tried to make everything with eco-friendly materials.” 

Gopal Chowdhury, member of Ultadanga Pallyshree, said: “We have fire extinguishers along with trained firefighters. We have provisions for wheelchairs for the old and disabled and a ramp as well for easy movement.”
Telengabagan Durgotsav Committee, a famous puja in the north, took more than two months to build the pandal following all safety rules. 

Ultadanga Bidhan Sangha has doctors present round the clock on the premises.

Subhra Kanti Lodh of Purba Kalikata Sarbojanin Dugotsab Committee said: “We try new themes every year. This year, it is Ekhane Basanta. We have interpreted it by showing that Holi, the festival of colours, and Durga Puja can be looked at in the same manner. Durga Puja is just as colourful as Holi.”

Fire extinguishers and wheelchairs were not in place on Panchami though. 

Mitali Kankurgachhi has Upasana as the theme, trying to depict incense sticks with glowing LEDs on the tips. There’s parking facility for at least 100 cars. There’s a separate entrance for the old and disabled apart from wheelchairs. 
Ultadanga Sangrami appeared to have crowd management on top of the agenda with proper entrance and exit. There’s proper drinking water facilities too. 

                        Sulogna Ghosh

Maniktala-Kailash Bose St-Hatibagan

Little Mexico, a slice of Raghurajpur, folk flavour of Rajasthan and a generous helping of women power — visitors will get a taste of different places, culture and innovative Shakti themes at pandals in this belt.

While organisers here excelled in creativity, only half of them have matched the True Spirit Puja yardstick. 

On Panchami, when visitors had started trickling in, many pandals sported empty or non-existent medical booths, few dustbins and the empty firefighting buckets. Brindaban Matri Mandir was an exception. The 107-year-old puja has a narrow entrance but organisers have come up with a smart crowd management plan. Two exits and ramps are already in place. 

The idol that symbolises women empowerment is made with lead-free colour — an attempt to go eco-friendly. The club has banned the use of plastic and many of its members have learnt the fire fighting drill. 

Maniktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durgapuja Committee pandal looked ornate in black and gold. The black wooden pandal, replicating a temple, had 108 names of Durga in brass inlays. It has followed the safety rules too. 

“We have been planning this puja since January,” Ashok Jaiswal, the committee vice-president, said. A well-equipped medical kiosk, a childcare room, CCTVs, ambulance and fire extinguishers were already in place. The puja has installed solar panels and is using wind power and LED lights to cut down on power consumption.

Kailash Bose Street Sarbojanin Durgotsab replicated a cave of folk art.

Lalabagan Nabankur Sangha brought alive the flavour and art of Raghurajpur on the pandal premises. Emergency numbers were prominently displayed but lot remained to be done. 

Simla Sporting Club has the entire para taking part in the Puja. The creation and power of Durga has been depicted but the pandal lacks basic facilities. 

Truck art came alive at the 70-year-old 37 Palli Sarbajanin o Saradiya Sammelan. 

Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin Durgotsab presented a slice of Mexican art and culture. Colourful and well-planned, the puja had taken care of the safety parameters, too. A whole range of firefighting equipment were in place apart from CCTVs. 

Just round the corner stood Nabin Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsav that replicated the folk and storytelling culture of Rajasthan. It has met almost all the parameters: sprinklers, separate toilets, medical booth and CCTV. 

             Chandreyee Ghose

HOWRAH

Sammilito Nagarik Brindo and Nabarun Sangha failed to match the True Spirit Puja parameters. They didn’t have proper toilets, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits.

While Nabarun Sangha’s theme is creating deforestation awareness, Sammilito Nagarik Brindo’s theme is paribesh sachetonata. But the decorations have been done using plastic. Also, the pandal resting on bamboo stilts can pose a risk to people. There’s no arrangement for the old and the disabled. 

Hazarhat Kalitala Sadharan Durgotsab managed to meet the True Spirit expectations. From CCTV cameras and plenty of fire extinguishers to wheelchairs and stretchers, the pandal was ready for any emergency. 

Sadananda Smrity Sangha, a 10-year True Spirit veteran,  has paid homage to mountaineers risking their lives while climbing the Everest. There’s an adequate number of CCTV cameras, fire extinguishers and a well-stocked first-aid kits. 

Kalyan Pally Sarbojonin Durgotsav Committee, last year’s winner of the 3-Star True Spirit Puja award, has the mother-child relationship as the theme. There are four CCTV cameras, clean toilets, seven fire extinguishers, fire alarm and clean drinking water facility apart from a childcare zone. There’s an oxygen cylinder and an ECG machine and a doctor stationed round the clock. 

                          Arunima Pal

Pictures by Sanat Kumar Sinha, Bishwarup Dutta and Gopal Senapati