Kolkata: From community get-togethers and cultural presentations to a charitable initiative aiming to share festive joy with poor people in society, old housing societies across south Kolkata are gearing up to celebrate Durga Puja with a difference this year.




Unity and community bonding remain the highlights of these pujas as the residents of these societies, dating back around three or four decades, jointly chalk out plans to organise the celebrations.




At Adhunika Cooperative Housing Society , Lake Gardens , around 20-25 elderly women will conduct the puja. This is the 47th year of the society’s puja and around 80 residents are set to celebrate it on a bigger scale.




“This year we have arranged community meals for five days. Besides, our celebrations will be packed with cultural presentations, including folk music, dance drama, recitation and music. Both our residents and local artists will put up the cultural presentation during the festival,” said Avik Roy, secretary, managing committee of Adhunika Cooperative Housing Society.




The puja celebration at Golpark Cooperative Housing Society is entering its 33rd year. Indrani Soma Dutta, secretary of the society’s puja committee, said, “We have about 264 flats and around 450 residents participate in our puja along with their family members and relatives. Like every year, we have an interesting array of cultural events like plays, skits and musical performances.”




Competitive games like conch-shell blowing, candle lighting and hitting the wicket will be lined up during the festival, according to Dutta. She said, “The Durga idol and installation are sponsored every year in rotation by one of our members; this is another practice that brings a sense of belonging and warmth among the residents. This year, we have enhanced the light arrangements so that the entire premises is illuminated. Lunch will be served in the community club room for all six days of the festival. Last year, we introduced breakfast on Dashami morning, which has become a hit with the residents.”




Around 100 residents of Daffodil Greens Home Owners Association at Tollygunge are going to mark the 22nd year of their puja in a “Sanatani way”. Sudip Roy Choudhury, secretary of the association, stated that they would share festive joy with maids by distributing new clothes among them on the day of Sashthi.




“In keeping with the Sanatani principle, the idol of our puja will be traditional and our Ashtami Anjali will be done between 7pm and 7.30pm. However, we will serve non-veg dishes containing mutton and chicken on puja days barring Ashtami. Besides, we have arranged cultural programmes during the festival. This year, actress Indrani Haldar will inaugurate our puja,” he said.




The puja of Nijanir Cooperative Housing Society at Kasba is in its 30th year. Moumita Mitra, a resident of the society, said, “Over the years, our puja has developed a unique historical and cultural identity, becoming an integral part of our community. The puja celebration has kept all the residents united and until there’s any emergency, no one goes out on vacation during the puja days.”




For the residents of Rajat Avante at Joka , the puja is more than a festival, as they celebrate togetherness and community spirit. Priti Mishra, vice president of the complex’s Durga Puja committee, said, “Over the years, our puja has grown into a much-awaited celebration that brings residents of all ages together. From the enthusiastic participation of children and youngsters to the involvement of our senior residents, every member contributes to making the festivities special.”