Women run the show at this Sunamganj mandap

 “Sarbojanin Bhratri Sangha Puja Committee” of Sunamganj has been organising Durga Puja at Kalibari Natmandir for over four decades. Every year, youths from the neighbourhood form the committee under the platform and arrange the puja in Kalibari area.

But this year, the committee, comprised of young men, failed to do so as they were either busy with work or other pressing matters.

When the news spread, people in the area were not only disappointed but also heartbroken. After all, Durga Puja is the biggest religious festival of Bangalee Hindu community.

But a group of local women did not just sit frustrated, they decided to take it upon themselves to organise the puja so that locals are not deprived of the ongoing festivity.

This is the first all-women committee, organising Durga Puja in the district.

“This year, Durga Puja is being celebrated at 410 mandaps in the district, and for the first time women are arranging puja at a temple,” said Biman Kanti Roy, president of District Puja Udjapan Committee. “We are also encouraging them in their efforts.”

Chanchala Dey and Sheuli Rani Paul have shouldered the responsibilities of president and general secretary of the committee this year.

“After learning that they will not arrange the puja, me and other women held a meeting on September 13 and decided to do something about it,” a busy Chanchala told this correspondent yesterday.

At the meeting, she said, 41 women, from different walks of life, were present and all were determined to help out.

“We did not think about breaking any tradition, we just wanted to make sure that all can participate in the celebration,” Sheuli Rani Paul added.

Chanchala said, “We estimated it would take us around Tk 2.5 lakh [to organise the puja], but seems like the cost may go up. So far, we have collected around Tk 75,000.”

But the women are not at all disheartened. They have been working rigorously, taking care of minor details and making sure that all the arrangements are in place.

Their efforts are also appreciated by locals, who are thronging the mandap (worship pavilion) since Friday. Prodip Paul, a member of the Bhratri Sangha Puja Committee and a previous organiser, is one of them.

“Due to various reasons, we could not organise the puja this year. Many of us were not in town while some were busy with work or studies. But they [women] stepped up. They did a fine job too. The mandap looks beautiful,” he added.

Contacted, Nurul Huda Mukut, chairman of Sunamganj Zila Parishad, said, “My wife along with municipality mayor’s wife are supporting these women in their.” Zila Parishad will also extend support towards them, he added.