Atleast 10 more Durga Puja committees to take part in next Red Road carnival

Kolkata: Lauding the steps taken by Durga Puja organisers across the state in ensuring a trouble-free festival, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: "What Bengal can, others cannot."

She maintained that it would not have been possible for Maharashtra to conduct immersion of Ganesh idols and Muharram so peacefully at the same time.

Speaking at a programme of Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman at Nazrul Mancha on Thursday evening, she said there were conspiracy and canard were being spread to create a tense situation. "Despite such attempts, Durga Puja passed off peacefully. I would like to thank both Durga Puja and Muharram committees," she said adding that it happens after every 20 to 25 years when Muharram and Durga Puja coincide. Last time, it was held in 1982. Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman awards were given to winners from Kolkata, other states and abroad. Winners of best tableaus in Red Road immersion carnival were also being honoured. It is learnt that there will be atleast 10 more Durga Puja organsiers who would get opportunity to participate in the carnival in 2018.

She further said that Puja organisers in districts too had made huge arrangements. "This year, I started inaugurating Durga Puja mandaps from a day before Mahalaya. Now people of Bengal are getting 10 days instead of three to visit the Puja mandaps," she said adding that Durga Puja itself is a small industry involving investment of crores of money.

In connection to the forthcoming Kali Puja, the Chief Minister urged everyone to maintain and safety and security so that enjoyment of one does not become the cause of distress for someone else.

"I would urge everyone to take steps so that Kali Puja also passes off peacefully without any trouble," she said. The Chief Minister further said that everyone must follow norms while bursting firecrackers.