Durga Puja Celebrated Across Barak But With A Jarring Note

Special Correspondent

Silchar: It is difficult to say about the exact number of holy mandaps set up across the valley of Barak, both in urban and rural areas, to celebrate Durga Puja. But, that the festive days were quite peaceful with no untoward incident taking place anywhere has well been talked about by people in general. The district and police administration of all the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi deserve all appreciation for maintaining law and order and also for excellent traffic management. The pandal hoppers, devotees and faithful have no difficulty in moving around to visit the puja pandals and enjoy the festivity.

The district administration of Cachar has impressed upon the puja committees to strictly follow certain specific guidelines in respect of blaring out of microphones within the prescribed limit of decibel which they have adhered to. This time there was subdued playing out of puja and devotional songs through loudspeakers. There was no noise pollution, otherwise, it used to be a great nuisance factor and a cause of annoyance for devotees.

Another appreciable move of the administration to prevail over the puja committees to ensure neat and clean environment and to dispose of the peels of used fruits and vegetables through the volunteers of SLRM (Solid and Liquid Raw Materials) agency has paid dividends. Puja pandals looked spick and span which was further spiced up by the cleanliness drive of the municipal board. Lanes, by lanes and roads were cleaned up and drains treated with disinfectants.

The traffic branch of district police has drawn up plan for the hassle free movement of devotees and people in general by restricting vehicles through regulated routes. This has allowed the pandal hoppers and shoppers in their easy and fast movement. There has been neither any jam nor any disorder, a much desired welcome step by Cachar police. Assam Power Distribution Company Limited has much credit on its part for ensuring 24X7 uninterrupted power supply. The Durga puja committees could showcase their illuminations and display their well decorated themes, much to the delight and pleasure of people.

There was a note of surprise when Cabinet Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with MP Rajdeep Roy and MLA Dilip Kumar Paul, was seen moving from one mandap to another and exchanging pleasantries with the pandal hoppers and organizers. A most popular face in the valley and endearing to masses here did add yet another element of merriment. Later on, it came out that some puja committees did invite Minister Sarma to grace their pandals and offer his greetings to people. A senior journalist said one cant rule out political angle to the festivity.

People of Barak were also fortunate to have three days of sun and shade with little occasional drizzles to add to the merry spirit, as if it were. After all the gaiety and enjoyment comes the moment to bid adieu to Goddess Durga which cant but bring in a touch of melancholic- note. Immersion at the traditional river point of Sadarghat in a most peaceful manner made the festivity different, another joint effort of the district and civic authorities.

However, all ends well but not without a jarring note. Udharbond puja committee, 15 km from the town, which has been hogging the limelight for years for its biggest ever show of innovative idol of Goddess Durga, extraordinary theme and decorations, in its overdrive to beat others caged a large number of birds inside the pandal to exhibit the scene of detention camps and drew criticism from environmentalists and naturalists. The district administration has to seek the intervention of forest department to set the birds free, but not before two have died. The organisers might face action for violating the provisions of Wild Life Act.

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