Kolkata, 16th October, 2023: NIP NGO – An Education & Cultural Centre for the Blind & other Differently Abled in collaboration with Forum for Durgotsab, Saini International School, Mamta Sumit Binani Foundation, Rotary Club of Calcutta Old City have come up with organizing awards for Puja committees who are taking an endeavor to make their Pandals friendly for Senior Citizens and the Disabled where 300 Durga Puja Committees would be participating for the same. They have also showcased Onno Durga concept as an awareness campaign at Hazra Park Durgotsab, Kolkata.

The event was graced by the presence of a lot of eminent personalities like: Sri. Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Minister of Agriculture, Govt of WB; Sri. Sayan Deb Chatterjee, Joint Secretary of Hazra Park Durgotsab Committee; Sri. Tapan Pattanayak, CEO of Saini Group; CS (Dr.) Adv. Mamta Binani, Chief Patron of NIP NGO & President of MSME Development Forum WB; Sri. Jewel Chowdhury, President Rotary Club Calcutta Old City; Sri. Debajyoti Roy, Secretary of NIP NGO along with many other eminent personalities.

Speaking to the media, CS (Dr.) Adv. Mamta Binani, Chief Patron of NIP NGO & President of MSME Development Forum WB said, “We have taken this unique initiative to create the Onno Durga concept as an awareness campaign. Through this event we want to showcase Visually Impaired Goddess Durga and Asur, Wheelchair bound Ganesh, Intellectual Disability Laxmi, Saraswati and Kartik. The purpose is to give a huge acknowledgement saying that disability is a special ability and I want to say to the world that this special ability needs to get its share of attention and inclusion in the main stream and on this auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, when Shakti is worshipped and celebrated. In the past we have launched the Braille Durga Puja Guide and Braille Display Stand for the Blinds.”

Speaking about the event, Sri. Sayan Deb Chatterjee, Joint Secretary of Hazra Park Durgotsab Committee said, “Generally, Puja awards are judged on the parameters of glamour, splendor, artwork and visual gimmicks. But now the criterion has been changed as it will also be judged on the grounds of facilities we offer to the physically challenged. Durga Puja is the biggest festival of West Bengal. The people of West Bengal enjoy the festival with great pomp. But people forget about the other part of the society who are differently able and also senior citizens.”

Speaking on the occasion Sri. Tapan Pattanayak, CEO of Saini Group said, “We know how resourceful and effective is NIP in their work field and it’s our honor to be associated with such a noble cause. Earlier Pandal-hopping and viewing the deity was a far-fetched dream for the differently-abled & senior citizens as they were unable to visit the crowded pandals.”

Background of NIP NGO: (National Institute of Professionals) NIP NGO – An Education & Cultural Centre for the Blind & other Differently Abled. NIP was awarded with the “STATE AWARD” on December 3, 2012. Besides, it has been organizing a number of awareness camps in different parts of Kolkata and other districts of West Bengal. NIP aims towards helping the blind and differently abled in every possible way. It has also been organizing All Bengal Chess Competition and T-20 Cricket Tournament for the blinds, etc.

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