NIP NGO Launches Braille Durga Puja Guide & Announces Inclusive Durgotsab Awards 2025

Rotary Sadan /18th September 2025

Kolkata, September 18, 2025: NIP NGO – An Education & Cultural Centre for the Blind and Differently Abled  has unveiled two landmark initiatives this Durga Puja: The Braille Durga Puja Guide and Braille Display Stand for the visually impaired. Alongside, the NGO has also announced the Differently Abled & Senior Citizen Friendly Durgotsab Award 2025, aimed at recognizing Puja committees that make their pandals accessible and inclusive. Over 250 Puja committees across Kolkata are expected to participate.

The initiative has been organized in collaboration with Forum for Durgotsab, Rotary Clubs of District 3291, and Rotary Club of Ballygunge , Saini International School, , with the support of K.C. Das, Aahar , Media Connect, News Mania and News Mania Welfare Trust under the able guidance of Sri Ashif Shah (Past President) and Dr. Joydeep Mookerjee, present President of Rotary Club of Ballygunge.

The launch event was graced by eminent personalities including Sri Kunal Ghosh ( TMC Spokesperson), Chess Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, Actress Richa Sharma, Actress Sayantani Guhathakurata, Footballer Dipendu Biswas, Sri Tapan Pattanayak (CEO, Saini Group), Smt. Sharmila Mookerjee (Owner- Aahar Multispeciality Restaurant), Ankit Agarwal (Owner of Media Connect), Smt. Bornali Biswas (Editor-in-Chief, News Mania, President –News Mania Welfare Trust), Smt. Mallika Chanda , representatives from K.C. Das and Sri Debajyoti Roy, Secretary of NIP NGO, among others.

   

 

 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Sri Debajyoti Roy, Secretary of NIP NGO, said:
“Durga Puja is a festival of inclusion and joy. With the Braille Durga Puja Guide and Display Stand, we want to ensure no devotee is left behind. Through the Differently Abled & Senior Citizen Friendly Durgotsab Awards, we hope to inspire Puja committees to make pandals more accessible. This initiative is a step toward making Bengal’s biggest festival barrier-free.”

Dr. Ramendu Homchaudhuri, District Governor, Rotary International District 3291, added:
“This initiative reflects Rotary’s commitment to service and inclusion. Festivals are truly meaningful when everyone can participate with equal joy.”

Supporting the effort, Sri Tapan Pattanayak, CEO of Saini Group, noted:
“True progress lies in creating a society where accessibility and compassion go hand in hand. This initiative ensures that the spirit of Durga Puja reaches everyone.”