South Dinajpur Pujas get Biswa Bangla Sarad Samman 2019

BALURGHAT: South Dinajpur district administration in association with district information and cultural department on Thursday evening conducted prize distribution ceremony for much-hyped 'Biswa Bangla Sarad Samman 2019' an award designed since 2014 to felicitate the best Durga pujas in South Dinajpur.

District information and cultural officer Santanu Chakraborty said the administration conferred nine prizes in different categories to the pujas organised in all eight blocks including Balurghat, Gangarampur, Tapan, Harirampur, Kushmandi, Hili, Kumarganj and Banshihari areas.

"This year nine pujas while three for each category have received the awards for best puja, best pandal and best idol. A district-level team comprising 20 representatives from administration, police and media was given the responsibility for selection. Forty-one pujas took part in the competition. It was unanimous choice of selection by the majority of the team members," Chakraborty said.

This year Kochikola Academy (Balurghat), Gangarampur Block Para Natya Club and Library (Gangarampur) and Basudebpur Biplabi Sangha (Hili) were the recipients of best puja award and received Rs 50,000 each for the selection. Three puja committees Chittaranjan Sporting and Cultural Club (Gangarampur), Amar Friends Staff Club Trimohini (Hili) and Tridhara Club (Balurghat) were bagged for best pandal award and received Rs 30,000 each for selection. Finally, the award of best idol went to three pujas, including Gangarampur Football Club (Gangarampur), Arjya Samiti (Balurghat) and Simantasikha Club (Hili) and was the recipients of Rs 20,000 each.

Addressing a function on the occasion at Town Hall, District Magistrate (South Dinajpur) Nikhil Nirmal said Durga puja festival helps in community development among people.

"Biswa Bangla Sarad Samman has created a good impact on people and therefore we congratulate the award winner pujas and at the same time hail the initiative and wish all the best to the other participants for the next time," Nirmal added.