NITN | @notintownlive | 24 Sep 2025, 09:08 am
Durga Puja
Photo: By Special Arrangement
Recognizing the scale and influence of the festival, Rotary International District 3291, in association with Variable Energy Cyclotrone Centre ( DOE, GOI), Jadavpur University and Central Pollution Control Board (under Ministry of Environment, GOI), is launching a first-of-its-kind initiative to promote a sustainable Durga Puja.
The occasion will see the joy of celebration harmonised with the principles of environmental protection, economic well-being, and social equity.
This movement will align with government guidelines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while depending on the active, voluntary participation of Puja committees and citizens alike.
The first such initiative will also have Rotary Club of London as an International partner.
The Initiative
The program will run in four phases:
1. Pre-Puja Campaign: Inauguration with sponsor visibility, awareness drives among idol makers, pandal decorators, electricians, priests, and immersion workers; volunteer mobilization; and city-wide sensitization through flyers, FM radio promotions, and theme songs (19–28 September).
2. During Puja: “Puja Parikrama” on 26–27 September, including surveys of Puja setups, engagement with organizers and visitors, and presentation of appreciation certificates. Prize winners will be announced on 28 September.
3. Post-Puja: Field studies on waste management at immersion ghats in Kolkata, Dum Dum, and Newtown (3–5 October) and analysis of eco-impact at pandal sites (5–10 October).
4. Concluding Ceremony: Misti Mukh on 25 October with Rotary Clubs, civic bodies, educational institutions, media, and citizens, celebrating collective feedback and sponsor promotion activities.
Why does the initiative matter?
Durga Puja has the power to shape societal behaviour and inspire sustainable action at the grassroots.
By embracing eco-friendly practices, minimizing non-biodegradable waste, and ensuring equitable participation, the festival can become a model for cultural celebrations worldwide.
Call to Action
Rotary International District 3291 has already roped in more than 150 Puja organizers, along with volunteers, and citizens to join this movement—ensuring that the grandeur of Durga Puja continues to honor tradition while building a responsible, sustainable future.
- Project Prayas: Taj Hotels, Prabha Khaitan Foundation turn hospitality floors into learning spaces for young adults with special needs
- Sona College of Technology Fashion Technology students win Ministry of Textiles' Design Innovation Hackathon
- Reliance Industries posts record quarterly revenue of ₹3.4 lakh crore, Jio IPO on the horizon
- Prabha Khaitan Foundation, French Embassy explore deeper Indo-French cultural collaboration
- World Music Day 2026 Concert Writes a New Chapter in Kolkata's Cultural Soul
- Big boost for UPI: India’s digital payment system expands to Cambodia
- India at Cannes 2026: Glitter on the Croisette, But Where Is the Cinema?
- Sona College announces admissions to BTech in Computer Science, IT, AI-ML & Data Science
- NEET-UG to shift to Computer-Based test mode from 2027, says Dharmendra Pradhan; experts welcome move
- Sona College of Technology launches ‘Sona ChipIN Centre’ with latest semiconductor EDA tools
Lufthansa Group will introduce its new high-speed in-flight internet service on August 19, with a Lufthansa Airbus A320neo as the first aircraft to offer the new Wi-Fi system.
Chennai/IBNS: An IndiGo flight en route from Kolkata to Chennai suffered an engine failure shortly before landing, triggering a scare before the aircraft landed safely at its destination on Tuesday, according to media reports.
Indian airline major IndiGo has announced a giveaway of 20,000 free domestic flight tickets worth up to ₹10,000 per PNR as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.
