Assam is alive with excitement as the State prepares for Durga Puja, one of the most significant festivals in the region. Playgrounds, schools, and even roads are adorned with colourful pandals that celebrate local culture and artistry. In this festive atmosphere, Durga Puja committees are thanking the State Government for the financial aid they have received while preparing for the celebrations.
For the residents of Dwarbond Basti in Cachar, the Durga Puja of 2023 was the best they had for many years. They received bhog prasad for the first time on all three days of the festival. “We have been organising this puja for over two-and-a-half decades. Last year, for the first time, we received financial assistance from the Government which significantly improved our celebrations,” said Rupayan Choudhary, cashier of the Dwarbond Sarbojonin Durga Puja committee, adding, “Our is a rural puja, we focus less on extravagant decorations or themes and more on serving the deity and the community. Previously, only on the day of Navami we could provide khichdi bhog to the visitors but after assistance from the Government, we could also arrange Anna bhog on Saptami & Ashtami in addition to the khichdi bhog on Navami.”
Choudhary credits the Government of Assam for this support, emphasising “With the financial support of ₹10,000 from the State Government, we could satisfy revellers and make our villagers happy & satisfied.”
“Financial assistance from the Government boosted the morale of the puja samitis,” said Sujay Chakraborty, joint secretary of the Refinery Para Puja Committee, in Digboi, established in 1943. “Last year, our MLA Suren Phukan handed us a cheque of ₹10,000 marking the first time in over 70 years that we received Government support. This has encouraged us to celebrate with greater sincerity and devotion.”
Taking steps towards dissuading puja committees from forcing people to donate for the festivities and a bid to stop the ‘Chanda’ (Donation) culture, the Government of Assam began a scheme to provide grant-in-aid of ₹10,000 to 6,953 Durga Puja samitis across the State.
An official of the Cultural Affairs Department told Asom Barta, “Following the tradition, this year also the Government has decided to extend financial assistance of ₹10,000 to Durga Puja committees.”
Meanwhile, the Department has notified SoP guidelines to be followed for disbursing financial assistance in 2024-25.
Eligibility Criteria:
Public Durga Puja Committees:
Only community Durga Puja celebration committees are eligible.
The committee must have been organising Durga Puja for at least three consecutive years.
Private or individual committees are not eligible.
Echoing others, Gopal Roy, advisor of the Borpak Durga Puja Committee in Jagiroad, said, “In our village of 140 households, we do not engage in chanda (donation) collection. The Government assistance allows us to organise on a scale that we wanted.”
He told this reporter that construction of a Durga Mandir will soon start in the village which would attract visitors and bring recognition to the village.
Raja Dey, secretary of the West Silpukhuri Durga Puja Committee, expressed his gratitude for the Government aid. “Since last year, we have decided to set aside the assistance for specific rituals,” he said.
Committees this newsletter spoke to emphasised that the financial aid has not only boosted their morale but also fostered greater community involvement. The support from the Government has reinforced their determination to celebrate Durga Puja with greater enthusiasm while reflecting the vital role of a Government in nurturing cultural heritage.
