MillenniumPost
Bengal

Pandal promotes handloom with jute Durga idol

Arambagh Puja Samiti here has designed the pandal on the the theme, "In Search of Roots" for which they have procured a "small" jute idol of the Indian Goddess from Purulia in West Bengal.

"I think this is first of it's kind puja where the idol has been made from jute. We are trying to create awareness about the dying jute industry. We have called for a small Durga idol from West Bengal, which will be preserved in a museum after the puja," says Abhijit Bose, Executive Chairman of Arambagh Puja Samiti.

The move, he says, is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to promote the handloom sector in the country.

The idol has been designed by Gouranga Kuila, a Bengal-based artist who received the National Award for handicrafts in 2002.

The Samiti which has previously created pandals on issues like 'World Peace' and 'Women Empowerment' feels that their theme this year would encourage people to use products made of jute which in turn will help in boosting the industry's growth.

"The condition of jute industry in India is very critical today. Over 40 lakh farmers and nearly 4 lakh mill workers depend on it for their livelihoods. Once people start using jute products, the industry will become competitive and sustainable again," says Bose. .
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