Durga acts as saviour of children trapped in society's rat race

Kolkata: In modern times, the innocence of the children are slowly fading away due to the tremendous pressure of studies in school. But this year, Devi Durga is coming their saviour. The Samajsevi Sangha puja at Lake Road is churning out this unique theme 'Sabujer Abhijan' through their puja that has stepped into its 72nd year.

"Children nowadays seems to be bereft of emotions. The education system coupled with tremendous pressure from the parents is acting as a barrier for a child to pursue the creative skill in which he has a knack. Children are seeking blessings from Devi Durga to change this aspect of the education system. This is what we are highlighting this year," Arijit Maitra, general secretary of Samajsevi club said.

The pandal is being decked up with scrap materials that can be recycled. "The mandap is being projected like a factory with scrap iron materials as if a child is going into a factory as soon as he/she steps into the school. The manufacturing process of the factory starts right from school which makes him emotionless. Models of children have been made at the bottom of the deities raising their hands as if praying to the Goddess to bail them out of this situation," theme maker Debasish Bhattacharjee said. Apart from the theme, Samajsevi has created a mark by covering up 1 km stretch of Lake Road with colourful alpana.

"Alpana is an integral part of every puja and pandal hoppers here will get a taste of this wonderful art. 300 art students have been roped in for making this with the people of the locality assisting them. A leading fashion brand has also lent support to this venture," Maitra added.

The puja committee had completed the alpana on the day of Mahalaya and it went viral on social networking sites. However, it was affected due to heavy rain that very night.