New Town, October 11, 2026: New Town Sarbojanin Durgotsav Samiti celebrated the fifth year of its Durga Puja festival with great enthusiasm at City Square Ground, New Town, on Sunday. The festival and the idol of Goddess Durga were inaugurated jointly by Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh and the Samiti’s adviser, Rinku Ghosh.
Grand Inauguration and Special Felicitations
The programme began with a gathering of social media influencers, followed by dance performances by various clubs, cultural presentations and a collective rendition of Vande Mataram.
One of the major highlights of the inauguration was the ‘Dashabhuja Sammanana’, under which four Padma Shri awardees and two women recipients of national awards were felicitated for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
‘Padma Bhushan’: A Tribute to Excellence
Dr Lakshmikanta Kar, president of New Town Sarbojanin Durgotsav Samiti, said that Durga Puja is not merely a festival but a powerful expression of devotion, culture, unity, humanity, social responsibility and communal harmony.
This year’s central theme, ‘Padma Bhushan’, reflects the Samiti’s tribute to distinguished individuals and its commitment to society. Samiti member Samaresh Das described the theme as more than an artistic concept, calling it a symbol of respect for people and social responsibility.
The beautifully decorated pandal features Goddess Durga adorned amid the sacred imagery of the lotus, blending artistic creativity with the spiritual essence of the festival. Renowned artist Rintu Das is responsible for the overall creative concept of this year’s Puja.
Eminent Guests and Cultural Attractions
The inauguration was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Member of Parliament Sukanta Majumdar, Health Minister Sharad Mukherjee and Padma Shri awardee Purna Das Baul.
The cultural programme featured a Bhawaiya folk music performance by Padma Shri awardee Geeta Roy Barman, along with dance performances by other artistes.
‘Ananda Haat’ for Underprivileged Children
Demonstrating its commitment to social welfare, the Samiti organised ‘Ananda Haat’, a special initiative aimed at bringing joy to underprivileged children. Around 1,500 children received new clothes and gifts as part of the initiative.
Beyond the annual festivities, the Samiti undertakes several community welfare activities throughout the year, including blood donation camps, Basanta Utsav and tree plantation drives.
A Festival for Everyone
Visitors can also enjoy beautifully designed alpana artworks along both sides of the roads, a food festival titled ‘Ahaare Sarbojanin’, a fair featuring a variety of products and several rides for children.
Through its combination of artistic excellence, cultural celebrations and social initiatives, New Town Sarbojanin Durgotsav Samiti aims to make its fifth-year celebration a memorable experience for visitors.
The president and secretary of the Samiti have extended a warm invitation to the people of West Bengal to visit the celebration and participate in the festivities.
