Spare my daughters: Maa tells devotees
Stop acid attacks, celebrate the girl child among the themes for this year’s puja
BARABANKI/LUCKNOW: This time, when devotees come to seek her blessings, the Goddess has one message for them: Save my daughters from acid attacks.
Stopping acid attacks is the theme at the Navdurga Puja organised by Youth Association in Barabanki and the banner at the entrance to the main puja pandal, which reads, jab pujte ho maa ko, to ladkiyon par tezaab kyon? is sure to force people to spare a thought for women in our society. Not only this, the puja committee will also seek support of visitors through a signature campaign.
“We will distribute forms to all those who come here, seeking their support for a ban on the sale of acid in the state. The signed forms would be submitted to the chief minister,” said organiser TK Roy.
“Durga symbolises woman power and feminine beauty. Looking at her idol with a message against acid attacks is bound to touch the hearts of all and force them think about the deadly crime, which is rampant in India,” said Kalpana Dutta, who has come from Kolkata to attend the puja here. In order to make people realise the pain and struggle of acid attack survivors, the committee has got Kavita, a survivor who walked the ramp at the HT Woman Award in April, to set up a stall here. Kavita will display paper jewellery at the pandal.
Another survivor f rom Lucknow, Meena Soni, who was also a part of the award ceremony, would be special guest along with Kavita. She will judge events organised by the committee.
A debate related to acid attack would also be held for school children. The Navdurga Puja in Barabanki is not the only one. Social organisation Bondhu Mahal has decided to have ‘Celebrate girl child’
as its theme in its maiden Durga Puja celebration to be held in Indira Nagar, Lucknow. “An international NGO working for child rights has collaborated with us and will host a painting contest on the theme at the pandal. There would be posters all around the pandal based on the theme, “said committee secretary Abhijeet Chatterjee.
“We will counsel the visitors on women’s issues and take a written pledge from them to keep the interest of the girl child foremost on their mind. A copy of these will also be sent to the Prime Minister and chief minister,” said Bondhu Mahal puja president Jayanata Pramanik.