Jamshedpur:

Two persons were killed and four others suffered injuries on Tuesday when a truck fell on the people who were in a procession for immersion of the idol of goddess Durga in Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur city on Tuesday evening, Health Minister Banna Gupta said.

The incident occurred at Bodhanwala ghat under Bistupur police station when the truck was negotiating a slope.

Two persons died in Tata Main Hospital where four other injured are under treatment, the health minister said in a statement issued after visiting the healthcare facility.

The condition of two of the injured is stated to be serious.

All the victims were members of the Kitadih Puja Committee in Bagbera area here, police said adding that they were in the immersion procession.

Gupta asked East Singhbhum District Civil Surgeon Dr Jujhar Majhi and the hospital authorities to ensure proper treatment of the injured.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren condoled the death of the two persons during the immersion of the idols.

“May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved family members to bear this grief. The district administration is providing medical aid to the injured people. I wish speedy recovery to all the injured.” The district administration appealed to the devotees to take care of their safety on a priority basis during the immersion.

A huge crowd thronged the roads of Steel City here to witness immersion processions taken out by over 200 community Durga puja committees.

Immersion of idols is underway in different ghats amid tight security. While divers were engaged in ghats as a precautionary measure, the police are using drones to keep a vigil on miscreants. 

Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal witness a huge number of attendees every year. Durga Puja is a time for fervour, fun, and food as well as beautifully decorated pandals based on unique themes. The lavishly decorated pandals often become viral sensations, thanks to social media content creators. 

However, one pandal in Kolkata, Purbachal Shakti Sangha, isn’t going to entertain YouTubers. A message outside the pandal reads, “No YouTuber allowed.” 

On Tuesday, X user Swati Moitra shared a picture of a notice put up by the pandal organisers. The caption of the picture read, “Kolkata pujos have had it”.

See the post here:

Kolkata pujos have had it. pic.twitter.com/6AL2ccBSvo

— Swati Moitra (@swatiatrest) October 17, 2023

As soon as the picture went viral, a section of the internet said that it was a “good decision.” 

“This is a good decision! Seems the Bonedi Bari’s have had it too,” said one user on X.

“This should be everywhere, they are a nuisance these days,” another user commented. 

“Good decision. And instagram influencers too. Those reel makers are annoying,” wrote a third.

However, there was a section of people who called the action “discriminatory”. 

“This is discriminatory at so many levels,” a user wrote on X.

“First they invited YouTubers and Instagrammers for marketing. They gave them access to full lighting even before puja opened. Now they don’t want them, very hypocritical stand from pujo committees, ” another user commented. 

“Probably a case of discrimination waiting to be filed,” the third user commented. 

Kolkata:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced a Rs 5,300 Durga Puja bonus for civic volunteers of the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police, and ASHA workers employed under the health department.

Some ill-motivated political parties/ persons are trying to create divisions and animosity between different cadres of Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police. I assure that civic volunteers of WBP will also receive a Puja bonus of Rs 5,300/-, like their counterparts in Kolkata Police,” Mamata Banerjee posted on X (Formerly Twitter).

Some ill-motivated political parties/ persons are trying to create divisions and animosity between different cadres of Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police. I assure that civic volunteers of WBP will also receive Puja bonus of Rs. 5,300/-, like their counterparts in Kolkata…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 13, 2023

“Also, ASHA workers under the Health and FW Dept. too will get Puja bonus of Rs 5,300/-. Happy Puja to my colleagues in the fields,” she said.

Preparations for Durga Puja are in full swing in West Bengal. Every year, Kolkata brings new puja themes that are unique and innovative in their own way. From pandals to Durga idols, devotees get to see various themed Durga Puja pandals.

The Theme of this year’s Durga Puja pandal of ‘Picnic Garden 39 pally Durga Puja Samiti’ is Farmers’ Rights. The Puja Pandal has made an attempt to reflect the story of farmers and their challenges.

The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honours the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur.

Over the years, Durga Puja has become an inseparable part of Indian culture with innumerable people celebrating this festival in their own unique way while pertaining to tradition.

Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. For the Bengali community, Durga Puja is the biggest festival.

The significance of Durga Puja goes beyond religion and is revered as the celebration of compassion, brotherhood, humanity, art and culture. From the reverberation of ‘dhak’ and new clothes to delicious food, there remains a merry mood during these days.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)