Meghalaya set to celebrate plastic free Durga puja festival

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 1, 2019

SHILLONG: Meghalaya is all set to celebrate a ‘plastic free’ Durga Puja, which is one of the important festivals of the Hindus, from October 4 to 8. 

Announcing this here on Tuesday, president of the central puja committee Naba Bhattacharjee told reporters that following the call given by the chief minister Conrad K Sangma, the CPC has decided to give extra efforts to make upcoming Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Chhat Puja as plastic free festivals. 

“The CPC has also issued an advisory to all durga puja committees that the use of plastic cups, plates, bottles and others is totally banned to encourage the use of biodegradable items. They are also urged to use eco-friendly materials in decorating their puja pandals,” he said. 

He however said the Shillong Municipal Board is also requested to open a collection centre for plastics in all the puja pandals. 

Bhattacharjee also informed that the committee has decided to introduce ‘dip and lift’ of idols instead of idol immersion from next year, to prevent pollution of river. Like every other year, he said this year too, the committee has asked idol makers to use only natural dyes.

On the other hand, general secretary JL Das informed there will be 242 community durga puja pandals including 66 in the state capital. 

While 118 pandals will be set up across the four districts of Khasi Hills region, a total of 110 in Garo Hills region and 14 in Jaintia Hills, a region which is home of a century old Durga temple in Nartiang. 

All puja pandals will be put under CCTV surveillance and maximum security will be put round the clock to ensure that the celebration is without any untoward incident. 

The celebration will begin with the committee’s annual Get-together of Harmony on October 2 where the chief minister Conrad K Sangma will address an all faith meet in presence of Shillong MP Vincent Pala, at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture Auditorium, Bivar Road, Shillong, he said. 

Four prominent personalities will also be presented with the Sarad Sanman Award, 2018 during the get-together function.

Das said the CPC will undertake cleaning drive at the lone immersion ghat located at the bank of river Wah Umkhrah, Polo before and after the durga Puja which is on October 8 adding the CPC has constituted a strong Immersion Ghat Development Committee for the purpose. 

Referring to recent reports relating to immersion of idols in a stream at Upper Shillong, the general secretary said all puja committees are requested after worshiping to bring their idols at immersion ghat, Polo. 

“No puja committee is supposed to immerse in any other river/stream, water bodies in and around Shillong since a designated immersion spot is allotted by the government at Polo for the purpose,”  he said. 

The CPC’s SK Das Memorial Drum-Beat Competition will be held at the Puja Pandal of Rilbong on October 7. 

The general secretary further informed that a series of meeting between the CPC and district administration have been held where points relate to peaceful celebration of upcoming durga puja festival were discussed.“The district administration has also requested the PWD to repair all damaged roads before the ensuing Durga Puja festival and MeECL and Shillong Municipal authorities to make all street lights functional during and after the festival,” he said.