ICCR Kolkata organized ” Durga  Puja Parikrama” for Diplomats on Choturthi tithi of Sharadiya Navaratri

By : PARTHA ROY

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Kolkata, the Cultural wing of Ministry of External Affairs ,Government of India organized  visit of Diplomats and VIPs to UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World” tagged  Durga Puja of Kolkata on Choturthi tithi of Sharadiya Navaratri on 18th October 2023.

Smt .Minakshi Lekhi Minister of State , Ministry of External Affairs Government of India, greeted Diplomats and other participants before the start of puja parikrama. MOS Minakshi Lekhi highlighted historical importance of Sharadiya Navaratri Durga Puja in socio-cultural Life of people of India and Indian diaspora abroad.  

MOS Smt. Minakshi Lekhi greeted everyone ” Happy and Prosperous Sharadiya Navaratri Durga Puja” . 

Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh,  Consul General of Germany ,  Deputy Consul General of Russia, Deputy Consul General of Thailand , Diplomats from USA , France , Germany ,Italy ,Japan , Russia, United Kingdom,  Director of  Goethe -Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan ,  participated in  Puja Parikrama . Also , ICCR scholars along with several officials of ICCR participated in Puja Parikrama.

Durga Puja Parikrama was organised under leadership of Ms. Minakshi Misra , Head and Zonal Director of ICCR Kolkata and coordinated by Shri Ramesh Chand Program Officer of ICCR.

Puja Parikrama was started several years ago  by Shri Gautam De ( retired IFS) former Regional Director of ICCR Kolkata who also participated in the program. UNESCO recognised Durga Puja of Kolkata as ” Intangible Cultural Heritage of World” in 2022.

Puja Parikrama started with visit to Durga Puja Pandal at Desopriyo Park ,followed by Tridhara Akalbodhan  which is celebrating their 77th year of Durga Puja in south Kolkata.  

Puja Parikrama then moved to north Kolkata to visit Chorebagan  Sarbojonin puja , followed by  Tala Prattoy and completed at Ahiritola Yuvak Brinda puja . 

Government of West Bengal’s ” Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman 2023 ” was awarded to Tala Prattoy and Tridhara Akalbodhan in “Serar Sera” ( Best amongst the Best ) category. 

Also , “Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman 2023 ” was awarded to Ahiritola Yuvak Brinda and Chorebagan in “Sera Parivesh Bandhav” (Best Environment Friendly) puja category. 

Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman 2023 awards were announced by  Shri Indranil Sen West Bengal Information Minister on 19th October 2023. Every puja organizers extended warm welcome to the Diplomats and others with warm hospitality. 

At Ahiritola Yuvak Brinda puja, visiting Diplomats & others were welcomed with Cultural Program  which was followed by pure vegetarian Dinner . Dinner provided opportunity for Diplomats to explore rich , healthy vegetarian cuisine culture of Bengal.

(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)