Unity in Diversity
: Luit Chaliha, October 14, 2010
In Sivasagar town, a Durga Puja pandal on the lines of the famous Meenakshi temple of Madurai being constructed adjacent to a mosque, is no big deal for the peace-loving residents.
Sankarlal Agarwalla, an elderly member of the Marwari community in Sivasagar, who had extended a helping hand in the organisation of the Puja since its inception in 1961, nostalgically remembers the days when he and his friends used to collect bamboo, posts made of betelnut trees and thatch to make the pandal.
“During those days, we spent sleepless nights to construct the pandals. The Muslim community staying nearby came forward with cups of tea, even well past midnight. That has been the spirit of Durga Puja here,” Agarwalla, now in his eighties, said.
Grandiosity compounded with a message for eternal peace and brotherhood will be the main focus of the 50-year-old Durga Puja organised by the samity.
It has chalked out a variety of programmes to suit all sections of society.
“For several years now, the Muslim community has extended a helping hand during the Pujas and they are doing it this time also. This is a beautiful example of brotherhood among various communities,” Rajkumar Bukheria, the working president of the organising committee of the Sri Sri Naba Yubak Durgostav Samity, said.
The sunny skies are back after a spell of drizzles over the past week, and Puja organisers in Sivasagar town’s 20-odd pandals have done their bit to ensure perfection in the preparations.
“There is no time left. It will be a very hectic day for all of us today. Before praying to Durga, we shall pray to the rain gods not to open up again,” Subhas Hondique, an organiser, said.
“It is our golden jubilee year and we have decided to showcase the festival in the best possible way,” Satya Narayan Dodhis, the president of the organising committee, said.
A team of artists led by Antu Gogoi of Sivasagar is constructing the huge 75-foot pandal, resembling the temple. A procession will be taken out on Wednesday from the Siva Dol premises, said the secretary of the samity, Pradeep Khemka.
He added that Swarnima, a souvenir, edited by Rajesh Kumar Agarwalla, would also be published on the occasion.
