Kolkata: In a bid to rediscover youth, members of Swapno Bhor, the only centre for the senior citizens in New Town, will organise Durga Puja for the first time since its inception.
The puja titled Prabinder Sarodatsav will be held at the activity centre of Snehodiya, the state of the art living facility for the senior citizens.
It is the only Durga Puja in and around Kolkata where the senior citizens will manage the puja which include buying the idol, worshipping it for four days and them immersing it without taking any help from the youths.
Bhaskar Sardar, general secretary of the puja committee, said the experience in organising Durga puja which the members had gathered in their youths will be used in organizing the puja now.
Many of the members had held high posts in government offices and private sector and the expertise acquired over the years in doing a work flawlessly will be used to make this puja a success.
A book containing writings of the members on their experiences in celebrating Durga puja in their adolescent and youths will be published. The book does not contain any advertisement.
There are around 700 members in Swapno Bhor. The willing families would be requested to donate Rs 1,000 for holding the puja. Sardar said to make the puja an eco-friendly one earthen utensils and pitchers will be used. The money required to buy the image of Durga, the pujas that will be performed on four days along with the flowers, dhakis and priests will be donated by the members.
On Asthami, prasad will be distributed on large-scale while the women,who will be engaged in the pujas will be treated on Sasthi and Dasami.
Senior citizens will take part in the cultural shows, which will be held in the evening on all four days. It may be mentioned that Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation ( Hidco) is organizing round the year activities for the senior citizens at Swapno Bhoor, which include annual fair, cultural shows and trip to religious places.