Kolkata: A 'special' puja

Kolkata: Every Durga Puja pandal is special in one way or another. But there is one particular pandal in Kolkata that is doubly so. The Jubak Kendra pandal at Maniktala is where decorations are being done not by traditional artisans but by physically or mentally challenged.

Shireen Begum can neither hear nor speak. But she is very artistic and one of the 25 special children invited by the Jubak Kendra Puja organisers to create items that will be used to decorate the pandal. Shireen is delighted to pitch in.

"I am very happy and excited to work and really looking forward to people coming and seeing my work during Durga Puja," said Shireen.

This inclusive idea of getting challenged children to decorate a pandal is something of a first. Organisers were debating how to make their pandal accessible to the physically challenged when they hit upon this brain wave.

"According to the national sample survey, there are two crore special children. So, we decided to do something for them. We thought of cultivating and nourishing them so that we can cultivate their creativity," said Nirmal Kumar Roy, Organiser, Durga Puja.

Juba Kendra's pandal may not win awards for its decorations but this is one puja where the heart is in the right place and reflects the true spirit of the season.