Shri Tapas Roy, Minister of Commerce & Industries for West Bengal, joined Shri Lalit Beriwala, Chairman of the Trust Board of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad, to conduct the traditional Khuti Puja at Central Park, Salt Lake, inaugurating the organization’s Durga Puja festivities for the year.

This event signals the start of preparations for a bigger festive lineup this year, as the Sanskritik Sansad unites its Durga Puja festivities with its annual Dussehra Utsav and Ravan Dahan. The celebrations will revolve around the theme Ram Er Ayodhya- Ram Ki Ayodhya, integrating the cultural essence linked to Shri Ram into the festivities.

The Khuti Puja holds special importance as it marked the first time this year that Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad organized it, introducing a fresh element to its enduring festive customs. For 14 years, the organization has held its annual Dussehra festivities at Central Park, attracting sizable crowds to the city’s celebration schedule.

The festivities will be amplified by a lineup of dazzling performances, cultural highlights, and interactive events spread throughout the holiday season, extending the celebration from the start of Durga Puja to the grand finale of Dussehra and Ravan Dahan. The programme is being crafted to provide visitors with an ongoing festive experience, blending culture, entertainment, and the essence of the season.

The Khuti Puja ceremony was also attended by Sanjay Agarwal, President; Amit Poddar, Secretary; Binay Dubey, Convenor, and members of the organising committee. Prominent industry leaders who graced the occasion were Shri Ashok Todi of Lux Cozi, Shri R S Goenka of Emami Group, Shri Sajjan Bansal of Skipper, Anil Kumar Agarwal of SKG Pharma and Dilip Chowdhary of Anmol Biscuits. Representatives of supporting organisations, including Shyam Steel, Govvinda TMT, Adhunik Cement, Bengal Energy Limited and M Bazaar, were also present.

With the ceremonial Khuti Puja now concluded, preparations at Central Park will accelerate as Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad prepares to carry the festivities from the start of Durga Puja through to Dussehra and Ravan Dahan, marking another important milestone in the neighborhood’s celebration calendar.

Priyanka Dutta