Kolkata:
The Durga Pujos are all about wearing new clothes and going from one pandal to another with friends and family. But what about those who don't have friends, family or new clothes? For the last six years, an NGO in Kolkata is doing its bit in this direction and this year too it took 335 orphans and old age home inmates out to paint the town red.
Ashalata Roy, an old age home inmate, never married and has no immediate family to call her own. For her and her friends at the Nabanir Old Age Home, there wasn't much to look forward to this Durga Pujo. But thanks to an NGO, they are out pandal hopping and having the time of their lives.
"I am enjoying myself. I don't have anybody but with these people around, I am not feeling lonely," says Ashalata Roy.
"I am enjoying a lot. I went to many places today. I have never been so happy. Diganta took us to these places. I am very happy," says Dolly Devi, who also stays at an old age home.
Not just old age home inmates, children of several orphanages too have been invited to join in the joyride.
For the NGO Diganta, it's the least they could do.
"I think those belonging to orphanage and old age home also have the right to enjoy the festival, says Utpal Roy of Diganta.
"I saw the idols, travelled by bus, got to eat good food. I liked all the idols," says Mohan Kumar, an orphan.
A set of new clothes, something nice to eat and these children are in seventh heaven. What they are wishing for as they pray is impossible to guess. But certainly thanks to the Goddess for bringing some sunshine into their lives.