Smriti Irani inaugurates Durga Puja

Smriti Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development, Minister of textiles, visited Matri Mandir Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti, Safdarganj Enclaves Durga Puja pandal, on October 4, to take blessings and offer prayers to Maa Durga. This year theme of the pandal is 'Recreating JorashankoThakurbari' – the place where Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore was born. Irani also inaugurated the puja and appreciated organisers for the wonderful theme and decoration of pandal.

Speaking on the occasion, Debashis Saha, Chief Coordinator of Durga Puja 2019 said, "This is the second time that all Puja Committee members are women. This year, they have gone a step ahead and volunteered to take up this onerous task of leading and organising the Puja festivities. Though we do not claim for this to be a unique venture, it is very special for us, considering the magnitude and complexities involved in organising it."

Chairperson Bhog and Prasad committee Amita Chakraborty said, "This time, we are expecting more than 5000 devotees each day. We have made elaborate arrangements and all committee members will take special care to ensure that all the visitors can enjoy the Bhog and Prasad. For maintaining the eco-system, we will be distributing bhog in special plates made with Beatel leaf. Also, we are preparing different menu on Saptami, Astami and Navami which will include Bengali delicacy Khichuri made with Gobindo Bhog rice and Soona moong dal, Beguni, Laabra, Payesh, Sweets, Halwa etc." Marking the grand closing ceremony on Navami this year, renowned singers like Kailash Kher and Rahul Deb will be performing at the venue.