West Bengal Governor flags off `Shanti Dhak Utsav' 2017 in the presence of diplomats and literati

The governor played the dhak along with the heads of foreign consuls, leading authors and poets of Bengal, eminent citizens of Kolkata from the world of art, culture, education, sports, politics, industry and glamour at the ITC Sonar - the hospitality partner, .

Devendra Goel, Managing Director, Shanti Wellness Care, announced that his organization would extend diagnostic healthcare services to those recommended by the Governor.

“It is an honour to associate with Chaltabagan Durga Puja which is one of the top Pujas of Kolkata and also engaged in various social welfare activities. Shanti Wellness Care is a one-of-a-kind modern diagnostic centre that believes in providing hassle-free services that make patients feel at home in an ambiance inducing a sense of wellness.

Besides fun and revelry, Pujas is also a time for appreciating our society and culture. It is an honour to welcome our Hon'ble Governor, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi and the eminent authors, poets, diplomats and other dignitaries,” said  Devendra Goel, Director, Shanti Wellness Care.

Meeryung Hall, wife of US Consul General,  Craig L Hall, sang a Rabindra Sangeet, at the event while  Alan Gemmel, Director, British Council, recited a poetry.

Sundeep Bhutoria, Chairman, Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee, said: “This year Chaltabagan Durga Puja is celebrating its 75th year of Puja. Over the years Chaltabagan Puja has many firsts to its credit having popularized events like khunti puja, sindur khela, dhak mahotsav. The Puja Committee is also engaged in various social welfare activities during the Pujas including helping the marginalised and providing medical assistance to the needy. We are also celebrating 2017 as the UK-India Year of Culture with the British Council.” 

There were more than 30 eminent litterateurs of Bengal at the function along with members of Kolkata Book Sellers and Publishers Guild. Among others were Sirshendu Mukherjee, Samaresh Majumdar, Pabitra Sarkar and Srijato at the Dhak Utsav

The theme of Manicktalla Chaltabagan Durga Puja this year is “Freedom”. The puja mandap is being decked up to convey how even the birds and animals love to be free and remain unshackled. The theme would celebrate the `Free Spirit’ of living beings.

Trideb Chatterjee, General Secretary, Book Sellers and Publishers Guild, said "Bengal is the only place and Bengalis are the only class who make literature out of an occasion."

"Sharod sahitya is like a welcome to Durga Pujas and this year Kolkata Literature Festival is collaborating with Chaltabagan Pujo to celebrate the spirit of Pujo at the Dhak Utsav with all the leading Bengali authors, poets and literary giants,” he said.

Atul Bhalla, Area Manager East, ITC Hotels, and General Manager of ITC Sonar, the hospitality partner of Shanti Wellness Care Dhak Utsav 2016 said: “We are delighted to participate 8in Dhak Utsav 2017. Dhak is integral to the festivities of Bengal, especially Pujo and a part of the cultural heritage of this region. This is in keeping with ITC Hotels’ ethos of Responsible Luxury,”

The Manicktalla Chaltabagan Durga Puja, which started in 1943, has now become one of the top crowd-pullers in city. Thousands of visitors, overseas guests and eminent citizens of Kolkata visit the puja pandal each year. The Puja Committee also carries out various social welfare activities.