Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Inaugurates Kolkata Durga Puja, Urges for Unity and Prosperity Across Bengal

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, October 2, 2024, Kolkata : Bengal’s much-loved festival, Durga Puja, was officially inaugurated this year by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She graced the inaugural events at several prominent locations, including Jodhpur Park, Chetla Agrani, Salim Pur Village, Babubagan, and the Puja celebrations of 95 villages. On the eve of Durgotsava, the Chief Minister remarked on the joyous atmosphere that now permeates the air, with the anticipation of Goddess Durga’s arrival symbolizing hope and happiness.

Banerjee virtually inaugurated some 400-odd community pujas from the premises of the Chetla Agrani Club. Along with South Bengal, 10 Puja pandals in Siliguri were inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee virtually on Wednesday.

Expressing her heartfelt thanks to the "Jago Bangla" team for their outstanding festival edition, Banerjee extended her gratitude to readers as well. She also launched her new song album, Anjali, sharing her hope that it will resonate with the people of Bengal.

In her address, she emphasized the importance of unity, urging people from all backgrounds to come together in brotherhood during Durga Puja. She expressed her wishes for happiness, prosperity, and enlightenment for all the people of Bengal as they celebrate this sacred festival. "May these festive days light up the lives of every individual," she said, as she extended her best wishes for a joyful Sharadiya season.

On the auspicious day of Mahalaya, signaling the arrival of Devi Paksha, Chief Minister and Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee's latest cultural creation, the puja song album 'Anjali', was released. 

Composed and written by Banerjee herself, the album was launched at a special event at Nazrul Manch, coinciding with the release of the 'Jagobangla' festival edition. Former Trinamool MP Kunal Ghosh announced the launch on social media, highlighting that the album contains 10 songs performed by Bengal's top artists. 

Featuring the voices of renowned singers such as Indranil Sen, Nachiketa Chakraborty, Sriradha Bandyopadhyay, Babul Supriyo, Raghav Chattopadhyay, and Aditi Munshi, 'Anjali' brings the nostalgia of traditional Bengali songs to life. 

The music was arranged by Debjyoti Bose and Kunal Chakraborty, further enhancing the emotional connection between the festival and the Bengali community. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, known for her deep involvement in cultural practices, continues to celebrate and preserve the essence of Bengali traditions through her artistic contributions. 

Her presence at the Nazrul Manch event on Wednesday added a personal touch to the celebration, underscoring her connection to the cultural fabric of Bengal. In addition to the album launch, Banerjee returned from North Bengal and virtually inaugurated several Durga Puja committees across Kolkata, Hooghly, and other districts. 

One notable inauguration was the Durga Puja organized by the Universal Durgotsava Committee of Ward No. 10, Karbala Mor, Vivekananda Road, under the Chunchura Assembly. Local MLA Asit Majumder, present at the ceremony, extended warm wishes to the people, emphasizing the sacredness of the day. 

Mamata Banerjee’s album 'Anjali' blends music and tradition, reinforcing the timeless link between Puja festivities and Bengali culture, a sentiment that continues to unite people across the state.