Thread by @priyashmita

We would start posting about #DurgaPuja4All. If you feel it's disturbing, please feel free to mute us or unfollow

For People who don't know about us,let me give a brief intro. In 2015, somewhat appalled by the blatant attempts at communalizing Durga Puja in Bengal by certain groups, a band of 17 people resolved to start a Twitter trend -- #DurgaPuja4All.

It was a modest bid to highlight how people of all religions and sects, celebrate Durga Puja with the spirit of togetherness in Bengal. In Bengal #DurgaPuja4All is not just a saying. It's an ethos, where every community comes together to welcome our daughter home.

What started as a hashtag initiative,soon moved offline & we thought it was time to walk the talk. We came across a Pujo in Calcutta called Munshiganj(Just to give a brief in Calcutta,Pujo Pandal has a name. It could be based on the club organising it or street)
#DurgaPuja4All

Munshiganj Pujo is a Pujo run in the red light area of Calcutta and is run by Muslims. From their priest to the entire organising team, it was all run by Muslims. What better way to showcase #DurgaPuja4All than to sponsor their bhog (Food served to visitors during Pujo)

@saileenas helped us zero in on this Pujo. While finalising, we also realised that, unlike other Pujos which got big-budget sponsors, owing to the geographical location of the Pujo, many big brands shied away from sponsoring this Pujo
#DurgaPuja4All.

But what better way to spread cheer than here? What better way to tell that #DurgaPuja4All is actually for all.
So 4 years ago, we started sponsoring their Ashtami (3rd day) bhog and have been doing it ever since

But can our joy be limited to just one group? So 4 years ago, with the kind contribution of a few of you, we sponsored clothes for kids in an orphanage that was multi-cultural. After all, #DurgaPuja4All is only true when its #Celebration4All

Two years ago, we were extremely disturbed by some news of school kids displaying hate against each other. Minor incidents but we realised that it was time that unity in diversity was something which needed to be taught from a young age. #DurgaPuja4All

#DurgaPuja4All group sponsored art contests for kids in Calcutta and Delhi with the theme "Unity in Diversity". We came across such talented kids, that we realised that maybe our future isn't that bleak. Our kids will change this hate, with their love and understanding

We took a break last year cause of Covid but we are back this year #DurgaPuja4All
What will we do this year?
We will bring you pictures of our Pujo
We will sponsor the bhog as always
We will raise funds for 2 causes.
We will spread joy and happiness.
Will you join us?

This does appear to be our daughter isn't it?
But this is the image of Sumerian Lion rider Goddess Inanna also known as Ishtar. We don't know which influence came first but the idea of #DurgaPuja4All is after all merging of cultures of all.

What makes #DurgaPuja4All unique is the fact that Pujos are not just about our daughter coming home. For us our daughter stands for principles. She stands for rights of people. So every year our Pandals bring forth socio economic or even political stories from across the world

So the first of such Pujo is pf course the Bharat chakra pujo at DumDum Park. The theme this year is that our Farmers are not terrorists.
Artist Anirban Das who conceptualised the theme (Our Pandals are generally created by Artists), brings forward the plight of these farmers

The pandal has a painting of an SUV and two actual tyres adorn a wall along with a slogan that reads, “Motorgari oray dhulo, niche pore chashi gulo [The motorcar speeds up, sending up clouds of dust, and crushes farmers under its wheels].
#DurgaPuja4All

To learn more about this Pujo follow this article indianexpress.com/photos/lifesty…
#DurgaPuja4All

Behala's Barisha Club decided that #DurgaPuja4Allh seems fake when we have othered a set of citizens by creating NRC. Themed "Bhaager Ma" Or division mother it showcases Durga stuck with her children between the borders of India and Bangladesh.

Our @saileenas is currently at Kumartuli (Place where Goddess is made) and sending us pictures from there (These are decorations used for our Pujo)
#DurgaPuja4All

So before I proceed today, here is an introduction to the whole team @debraj_speaks @Ishcomic @saileenas @Bong_in_Delhi @neelavsamrat @arup_c @atlas47 @dlaboni22 @IchbinUjjaini @Tanmoy_Fetsu @mahuadey20 @varun_oberoi and our newest joinee @ma_dutta123abc

Am super happy to announce that #DurgaPuja4All team has already transferred funds to #Munshiganj pujo for their Ashtami bhog lunch. This lunch will be served to all from that area on Ashtami (Wednesday).

The pujo is conducted by Muslims for many years. U can read about the pujo here telegraphindia.com/7-days/the-pur…
#Durgapuja4All has been associated with them for last 5 years

So as we bring you details of causes we are raising funds for, let us showcase some more beautiful pujos this year. As we have been saying #DurgaPuja4All is also about spreading information. Our pandals often speak of current affairs and issues concerning the world

One such pujo is Nabin Pally Pujo which pays tribute to those who died during the second wave of the Covid infection.
Photos of the deceased, hanging urns and a Mahishasura with folded hands tell us about the people we lost
Source : indianexpress.com/article/lifest…
#DurgaPuja4All