Facebook live gets thousands of likes, touches hearts

Kolkata: When thousands of people gathered along Red Road to watch Durga idols passing one after the other on decorated trucks, the grand carnival organised by the Mamata Banerjee-government was watched by lakhs from all across the world.

The carnival was broadcast live on the Facebook page of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The three-hour and twenty-three minutes-long video has already been liked by thousands of people and has been shared by around 10,000 people.

It may be mentioned that people from all over the world and different parts of the country have participated in the Biswa Bangla Sarad Samman and it shows the love of people who reside outside the state for Durga Puja. Live broadcast of the extravaganza through the social networking site has given a great opportunity to people who are far from Kolkata and could at least get a glimpse of the paraphernalia revolving around the state's biggest festival.

People from all across the world have congratulated the Chief Minister for taking such an initiative to organise a mega event that marked the conclusion of Durga Puja this year.

Most importantly, names of each of the Durga Puja organisers were displayed on the screen before they marched past the main podium when it was being broadcast live. At the same time, the bird's eye view of Red Road with tableaux carrying idols of Goddess Durga and her entourage along the thoroughfare was also appreciated by the viewers.

A Facebook user Surya Subha Banerjee left a comment saying: "Away from home, after so many years, sitting in Singapore watching live. Thanks for bringing home back to us. Shubho Bijoya." Comment of one Indranil Majumdar read: "This is Bengal. This is our cultural heritage. Whole world is seeing. What a great event. Heart touching. Salute to Kolkata police. Thanks to our CM."