Serader Sera Nirmal Puja Puroshkar was launched by non-profit EnGIO in 2007. In these 18 years, it has contributed to making Durga Puja in Kolkata more environment friendly and has used the festival to promoting environment awareness for the Puja organisers and the people. The award has received acclaim both at national and international levels and has been supported by government and private sector organisations, academic institutions and other non-profits, including West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Vikram Solar, Exide, Indian Oil and Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA). The green Puja award also aims at advocating social responsibility and safety among Puja organisers and clubs. The Plurals is the media partner of the award that had 300 applications this year. The 75 Pujas that were shortlisted were split into seven sectors.
Judgment criteria
Close to 50 jury members, including environment experts, academics, consular officials senior government representatives, participated in the judging process held over four days.
The rankings were based on a range of parameters, including themes and their execution; use of eco-friendly materials in pandal construction; energy conservation; use of non-toxic paints in image making; maintenance of noise, safety and disaster management norms and contribution to society.
The jury
The jury members for Salt Lake, Beliaghata and Keshtopur zone were environment experts Arup Mitra and Jhumpa Ghosh.
Themes
Beleghata Bandhab Samiti Club, with its theme of ‘Uma elo matir ghor e‘, was decorated with reused earthen tea cups, plates and straw baskets. The theme of Beleghata Gandhimath Friends’ Circle was ‘Shironam’, with the spotlight on Gandhi’s contributions.
Beleghata Sarkar Bazar Milan Sangha chose the theme of strings, repurposing old rusty nails and colourful threads to depict the rituals of Ghot Pujo. East Beleghata Janakalyan Sangha had created the theme of ‘A ek anna biswa’, where Maa Durga is worshipped as Maa Annapurna. Keshtopur Prafullakanan (Paschim) Adhibasibrinda had the theme ‘Binnyas’, the integration of a towering, twisted and timeless tree into their pandal was a striking detail. Masterda Smriti Sangha depicted animal cruelty as a result of deforestation and industrialisation with its theme of ‘In Quest of a Nest’.
AE Part 1 Block Committee had the theme ‘Bunon‘. Their pandal was built around a cloth spinning machine. EC Block Residents’ Association had the theme ‘Neer‘, meaning water.
The topper
One of the most visually appealing Pujas in the city, Beliaghata 33 no. Palli Bashi Brinda won the zonal topper crown. The theme ‘Tin Tin, Sarta Tin’ (three conditions): food, clothing and shelter. The stunning idol was based on a sketch by eminent artist Ganesh Haloi. The other attraction of the Puja was a number of installations that were visually stirring and arranged at many levels, with messages that touched the heart.
The Puja was one of the most thought-provoking and heartwarming efforts. It also looked at how we, as individuals, contribute to pollution with day-to-day objects like paper receipts and shopping bags.