'Kanyashree' to sparkle bright in Durga Puja lights

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's brain child 'Kanyashree' project has already earned much accolades and global recognition with the United Nations bestowing the first prize upon the Bengal government for the same.

Now, there is replication of the project in a different manner.

Electrical artists of Chandannagar are lighting up various puja pandals with the same theme. According to them, 'Kanyashree' lighting would have a good market in the festival season this year and help them make good amount of profit. Various other states have also urged the Chandannagar artisans for the 'Kanyshree lighting during their festival, the artists state.

Chandannagar workers dealing in lights have already received a good number of orders to set up lightings on 'Kanyashree' theme to various organisers during the forthcoming Durga Puja this year. The place is famous for its lightings and every year, hundreds of artists display their prowess regarding the same in not only Bengal but also in other states.

The state government had been awarded the first place for its "Kanyashree" scheme in the public sector service by the United Nations at an award ceremony held at Hague last month. A total of 552 projects from 62 countries were nominated for the award but Bengal bagged the first prize for the project, which is a conditional cash transfer scheme aiming to retain girls in schools and other educational institutions. The projects had varied aspects including the skill development among the beneficiaries and prevent child marriage.

The project has also been announced as a model for other governments to adopt in order to ensure financial benefits to girl children belonging to the under-privileged families.

The light workers have started toiling hard day and night in order to complete various electrical fittings on time. The concept of Biswa Banga, a brain child of the Chief Minister will also find place in the lighting. Many of Kolkata's Durga Puja organisers and also from the districts have already placed their orders. The famous Puja organisers prefer to put up lightings from Chandannagar in and around their Puja pandals. Biswa Pal, an electric artist from Chandannagar, said that the many big budget Puja organisers from Kolkata have already placed their order for "Kanyashree" project so that benefits of the project can reach the maximum number of people through lighting which has often been a special attraction for the pandal hoppers.

"Apart from "Kanyashree", various other developmental projects initiated by the state government would also find place in the light decorations. We are flooded with such orders and it will be a tough challenge for us to complete them on time," Pal said.