Durgapuja brings back smile to tsunami hit islanders

Port Blair, Sep 27 (UNI) The Andaman and Nicober islanders leaving behind the tsunami curse are back again with heart felt devotion and enthusiasm to worship the Goddess of Power, Durga.

Cruel waves of tsunami had watered down the enthusiasm of Durga Puja celebration last year forcing many puja committees to cancel their plan of conducting the pujas.

People devoid of all castes and creed come together to organize Durga puja, one of the main festivals of these island chain, in a grand way. After the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 this year's puja would be celebrated again.

" Last year, we had celebrated the puja in a low key manner, without collecting donations from general public, who were already in problem due to tsunami," said Falguni Ganguly, the secretary of Atul Smriti Samity, popularly known as Bengali Club of Port Blair.

In Andaman and Nicober island Bengali Club is the one of the most popular puja committees attracting lakhs of devotees every year.

" But this year we are back with all energy and best possible arrangements," said Falguni.

He said this year the idol of Goddess Durga is brought from Kumartoli and lightings from Kolkata while the interior decorations are being done by artists from Medinipur of West Bengal.

Similar arrangements are being made by a few other puja committees in Andaman group, while in Nicober group of islands--which was worst affected by tsunami-- Durga puja would be celebrated in some selected places.

Puja would be organized again in Car Nicober islands, where last year it could not be organized due to the tsunami tragedy. According to reports Durga Puja would also be organized in Campbell bay, the southern most part of Indian Territory.

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