Sharad Samman 2016 to get highest number of applications

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s attempt to reach Bengalis staying abroad through Biswa Banga Sharad Samman has become successful as a higher number of Durga Puja organisers from different countries this year have applied to get the award from the Bengal government.

The Bengal government announced Biswa Banga Sharad Samman 2016 on Friday, to felicitate Durga Puja pandals by awarding them for best performance in different categories for the Pujas in Kolkata.

Names of Durga Pujas from Kolkata were announced on Friday, while names of the best Puja in different parts of the world will also be announced shortly.

Durga Pujas around the world are being organised on weekends; in some places it will take place in the coming weekend, while in other places it will be celebrated in the next weekend.

Thus, the state government is waiting to get the maximum number of application from abroad.

In Kolkata, 15 Pujas – including Suruchi Sangha, Abosar, Bosepukur Talbagan, Samaj Sebi, 41 Pally, Barisa Club, 66 Pally, Bhowanipore 75 Pally, Ahiritola Sarbojonin, Shreebhoomi, Hindustan Park, Mudiali, Kashi Bose Lane, Santoshpur Avenue South Pally Mangal and Chetla Agrani – have been selected for the category of Serar Sera.

Naktala Udayan, Dum Dum Park Tarun Dal and AK Block Salt Lake have won the price for Sera Mandap, or Best Pandal.

Four Pujas, namely Tridhara, 95 Pally, Behala Natun Dal and Badamtala Ashar Sangha, have been selected for Best Idols in the category of Sera Pratima.

For Best Decoration with Light (Sera Aloksojja category), five Puja organisers – Kalighat Milan Sangha, Ekdalia Evergreen, Jodhpur Park, Babubagan 

Dhakuria and Shibmandir – will be awarded. Suruchi Sangha in South Kolkata will also receive a prize for their theme song.

Ten Puja committees have been chosen for creating an environment-friendly atmosphere at their Puja mandaps.

Yuva Brinda, Yuva Maitre, Ultadanga Pally Shree, Kumartuli Sarbojonin, Sikdar Bagan and Purbachal Shakti Sangha are the Pujas that have received the award for environment-friendly Pujas under the category Sera Poribesh Bandhob.

There are five other categories, in which the state government has awarded several other Pujas and they include Sera Bhabna, Sera Abiskar, Sera Shilpi, Sera Branding and Sera Dhakeshree.

Atri Bhattacharya, Principal Secretary, Information and Cultural Affairs department said: “The prizes will be given in the first and second week of November.”

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced that there will be a rally in which Durga idols will be passing through Red Road on October 14 starting from 5 pm.

People will be allowed to sit on makeshift galleries that would be set up on both sides of the road.

Idols of around 25 Puja organisers will be a part of the rally.