UKHCA 2021 - Brochure
UKHCA 2021 - Annual Brochure featuring information about our Durga Puja and creative contributions from the community
UKHCA 2021 - Annual Brochure featuring information about our Durga Puja and creative contributions from the community
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Annual Brochure
For Donations - Sort Code:20-06-72 Account No:50740896
Account Name: United Kingdom Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
Artwork by: Moumita Roychowdhury
ukhca.info@gmail.com
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
3
Tuesday
12 th October 2021
Wednesday
13 th October 2021
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Durga Puja 2021 Schedule and Arrangements
We will be celebrating our Durga Puja in 2021 over 4 days between
12th October 2021 - 15th October 2021
at Swanley Town Hall, Alexandra Suite, St. Mary’s Road, Swanley BR8 7BU
Maha Shasthi
1PM to 3PM
Maha Saptami 5PM to 7PM
Maha Ashtami
Durga Puja 2021 Programme
12PM to 3PM
7PM to 8PM
Bodhon | Amantran | Anjali | Prosad
Bitoron | Arati
Saptami Puja | Anjali | Bhog | Prosad
Bitoron | Arati
Ashtami Puja | Anjali | Bhog | Prosad
Bitoron | Arati
Sandhi Puja | Anjali | Prosad Bitoron
Thursday
14 th October 2021
Maha Nabami
12PM to 2PM
6PM to 7PM
Nabami Puja | Anjali | Bhog | Bolidan
Homa | Anjali | Prosad Bitoron | Arati
Friday
15 th October 2021
Bijoya Dashami
12PM to 2PM
6PM onwards
Dashami Puja | Anjali | Dahi Karma |
Arati | Bishorjon | Sindur Khela
Cultural Programme
Lunch and dinner served everyday after puja for guests
Priest: Dr. Hirak Halder
Our Venue
The Alexandra Suite is located at the heart of Swanley opposite Orchards Academy on St Mary’s Road. The
venue is easily accessible for members and devotees living in Bexley, Bexleyheath, Bromley, Dartford, Orpington,
Eltham, Greenwich, Catford and adjoining areas without joining any motorways.
Directions from Kent: Members from Kent and other parts of London and the South East, the venue is easily
accessible from A20/M25.
Parking: The venue provides off-street parking for over 80 cars. Please enquire about parking arrangement when
you arrive at the reception. On-street parking is also available in the immediate vicinity.
Train: Swanley railway station is 4 minutes walk away with frequent services from London and Kent.
Covid protocol
For both your own safety and safety of others, we politely request doing a lateral flow test before
attending the festivities. We look forward to celebrating a safe and healthy Durga Puja
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
4
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Table of Contents
Editorial message................................................................................ 8
Executive Committee Introductions.................................................. 11
President’s Note.................................................................................. 12
General Secretary’s Note.................................................................... 14
Annual Accounts 2020 - 21................................................................. 16
In Loving Memory (Obituaries for members we have lost).............. 18
Story of our Durga Puja in 2020 (Debashish Sarkar)....................... 24
Our Climate Appeal (Arunima Saha)................................................ 27
Charity Endeavour (Debkumar Pandit)........................................... 28
Creative Contributions
Partnership of Two Hobbies!! (Ramesh Vasant Shenai)................... 30
Hello from Down Under (Dr. Arpita Ghosh)..................................... 34
What’s holding you back? (Dr. Abhha Sandill).................................. 39
Saree mein naari (Dipti Jain)............................................................ 40
Death Awaits (Debaditya Chatterjee)................................................ 43
Why do we need wills? (Nilesh Bhatt)............................................... 44
Humble yet hungry (Zai Shanbhag)................................................... 46
Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer (Siddhant Das).................... 49
Tsunami (Aneeka Nandi).................................................................... 52
A Silent Killer (Arin Ghosh)............................................................... 55
Tribute to Satyajit Ray (Dr.Joyanto Choudhury)............................. 57
White Lilies (Subrata Roy)................................................................. 58
মন পলাশের পদাবলী (পপৌশলামী দাস)..................................................................... 63
God (Shilpi Aggarwal)................................................................................................. 64
Happiness and Loneliness (Aadya Karmokar)................................................... 67
Photography Corner.................................................................................................... 68
What’s in a name ?(Atrayee Bandyopadhyay)................................................... 69
জন্মভূ মির টান (পসামা দে)........................................................................................... 70
Recipes To Try This Festive Season
Korai chicken (Tanuj Banerjee)................................................................................. 72
Begun/Aubergine Posto (Debashree Chatterjee)............................................ 73
Mutton Paya (Goat Mutton Trotters) (Tarannum Fakih)................................ 74
Dry Fruit Chikki (Pradnya Ashish Shah)............................................................... 75
KitchnKraft’s JCC Junior Culinary Club (Komal Pungaliya)........................... 76
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
6
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Note our new
Eastham
branch
address - a
comvenient
location for
customers
living in
Kent and
South East
London
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
7
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Editorial Message
After the events in 2020 and the stresses we all have faced, many of us have asked ourselves - how
can we find hope amid so much uncertainty, conflict and loss? Hope takes many forms and the concept
of hope can be difficult to put into words or describe. People use metaphors for hope - it is a feeling of
optimism, of being able to renew and recover, of being resilient, hope is linked to determination and
hard work despite the trials, trepidations and failure, it is about being able to bounce back, and, being
able to find inspiration in the words and deeds of ourselves and others.
The coronavirus pandemic has transformed many aspects of our everyday lives – we have been living in
“social isolation” for over a year now. For many of us, getting the COVID-19 vaccine offers hope. It gives
us an opportunity to think of recovery and renewal. After more than a year of quarantine and social
distancing, there may be a possibility that family vacations, festivals, and time with friends are on the
horizon again. It even gives us a reason to look forward and start making plans to socialize.
We are feeling optimistic that the precautionary measures we have all selflessly undertaken will no
longer be needed. We have started living a new normal and we wonder what will happen to our age-old
routines and will we ever get back to them? What have we learned from this new watershed? These are
questions being asked by scholars, educators, medical experts, business owners, corporate executives,
trade workers, and government officials, and, we really have no clear answers yet.
When we suffer, it prompts us to stop and think more deeply about our lives, some of us turn to our faith
for guidance and help. Durgatinashini translates to one who eliminates sufferings and through the
offering of our prayers during Durga Puja, we turn to our Goddess Durga to protect us from the evils of
the world, to give us strength and help alleviate our sufferings.
Last year although we were in social isolation, we were able to come together to celebrate UKHCA
Durga Puja using innovations in technology and many thanks to that team who made it happen. We are
truly grateful to our priest Hirakda and his wife Gitadi who, with their full generosity, allowed us into
their home to take part in the rituals virtually.
This year, we hope that we all are able to come together again to celebrate, to come together in person,
unified with the spirit of the community. It gives us an opportunity to appreciate small blessings and
not take things for granted, to show compassion and understanding towards each other, but also take
immense pride in our own inner strength and fortitude. We have had an overwhelming response to our
request for artwork, articles and contributions to the brochure in preparation for our ninth UKHCA
Durga Puja 2021 celebration this year and we have been unable to fit all the contributions in the
brochure. However, please don’t be disheartened if you don’t see your contribution in this brochure, we
plan to publish brochures through the rest of the year and next year where we will surely feature your
valued contribution.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Jharna Sil Verma for her sterling support in
securing new advertisements, sourcing new creative contents and following up with advertisers and
content writers with persistence and patience.
We would also like to thank Dr. Joyanto Choudhury for selecting the coverpage artwork and
supporting us with photo editing.
Finally, we hope you will enjoy reading this brochure as much as we have enjoyed putting it all together
for you.
Mrs.Rama Karmokar
Mrs.Shipra Roy Mrs.Arunima Saha Mr.Debashish Sarkar Mr.Debanjan Mukherjee
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
8
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
9
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
10
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
UKHCA Executive Committee Introductions
Prof.Bimal Bhaduri
(President)
Dr.Tapon Halder
(General Secretary)
Dr.Sanjoy Basu
(Vice President)
Dr.Ashis Sau
(Vice President)
Mr.Tanuj Banerjee
(Joint Treasurer)
Mrs.Jharna Sil Verma
(Joint Treasurer)
Mr.Suman Das
(Assistant Secretary)
Mr.Debanjan Mukherjee
(Assistant Secretary)
Mr.Debottom Das
(Exco Member)
Mrs.Sunanda Sarkar
(Exco Member)
Mrs.Paramita Pandit
(Exco Member)
Mrs.Shipra Roy
(Exco Member)
Mrs.Debashish Sarkar
(Exco Member)
Dr.Saibal Hazra
(Exco Member)
Mrs.Krishna Baruah
(Exco Member)
Mrs.Sumita Mukherjee
(Exco Member)
Dr.Roshmi Kumar
(Exco Member)
Dr.Amitav Dutta
(Exco Member)
Mrs.Rama Karmokar
(Exco Member)
Dr.Sanjay Chatterjee
(Exco Member)
Mr.Bhabani Sahoo
(Exco Member)
Dr.Joyanto Choudhury
(Exco Member)
Mrs.Arunima Saha
(Exco Member)
Mrs.Rajnigandha Banerjee
(Exco Member)
Mr.Kaushik Pramanik
(Exco Member)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
11
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
President’s Note
I am most delighted to welcome you to our 9th UKHCA Annual Durga Puja Celebration 2021 and my
last one as your President. It has been a hard and long lock down and we had to perform our annual
Durga Puja celebration last year (2020) virtually. Thanks to our priest Dr Hirak Haldar. I am hoping to
meet you and celebrate the Durga Puja 2021 in Swanley Town Hall with pomp and pride after almost
two years. Hopefully this will be the beginning of the opening of the world. In a world of uncertainty, the
UKHCA Executive Committee worked hard and made some changes as an exception to this year only
- we will be outsourcing food for the first time in our Durga Puja event and we will celebrate the puja
for 4 days instead of the traditional 5 days. Hopefully from next year we will go back to our traditional
Panjika Durga Puja event.
Lastly, I must thank our Executive Committee members, Office Bearers, who have worked hard to
organize the Durga Puja in an uncertain period. My thanks go to all sponsors and their financial backing,
without whom we would not be able to put on this event. Above all, you, the devotees deserve special
thanks, only your presence and participation can make this event successful.
Prof. Bimal Bhaduri
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
12
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
13
Dear Friends
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
General Secretary’s Note
With immense pleasure and pride, I welcome you to our 9 th Durga Puja celebration. Unfortunately we
had to go through unprecedented difficult times in our lifetime. Now we can see some light at the end
of the tunnel. Hopefully this saga of Covid-19 will get manageable in the next few months, though the
virus will stay with us for years to come.
We had to conduct a virtual Durga Puja last year due to the Covid-19 restrictions. I know everybody
is very keen to get back to our normal social and cultural life as soon as possible. Durga Puja will be
an occasion to fulfil that. I am cordially inviting the wider Indian community to celebrate Durga Puja
with us and be a part of the UKHCA family. As a dynamic team, we strive to create a community
which inspires warmth, facilitates cultural activities in a cohesive environment so that people can
easily integrate. Every member of our team is busy with their own occupation, but we are unanimously
working with heartfelt dedication to make this occasion a great success. I greatly appreciate and thank
them for their efforts.
It is very encouraging to see the younger generation come forward to take part and help throughout
the celebrations. It is also very encouraging to see our lady members are taking active roles with
responsibilities to run the organisation. They are leading and focussing on specific initiatives with
great success. We have already started to see the results. We do not have enough active volunteers.
We have about 100 paid members, annual fees being £25.00 for the whole family. My appeal to the
younger generations who have been coming for the last few years to join UKHCA as members. We need
volunteers to help and manage the activities during the Puja festivals. This is also the first time; we
will be out-sourcing food preparation to a caterer due to some uncertainties related to the impact of
Covid-19.
I further extend my thanks to the generous sponsors who have been helping to meet our financial
commitments and keep the standard high in hiring the venue and maintaining other activities. I
also thank Bithi Purukayastha and her school Rabi Chhondo – the Rhythm. They have been teaching
Indian singing and dancing to our children, giving them an opportunity to be acquainted with Indian
culture and tradition. Rabi Chhondo has curated some very enjoyable functions which were enormously
appreciated by the audience. Hope other children will be encouraged and motivated to take part in the
future events. My special thanks go to our office bearers and team members who will be organising
and supervising different activities like the brochure, website, stalls, enhancing UKHCA’s presence in
social media, organising food, Newsletters etc. My special thanks to Debanjan Mukherjee, our assistant
Secretary who has been doing a marvellous job in running the organisation so well.
Finally I would like to pay tribute to our beloved friends Dr Jagadish Sarkar (our ex-president), Dr
Supriya Banerjee and Mrs Alo Ray who have departed us since the last Durga Puja. All of them were
associated with UKHCA for 30 years. Alodi was a very active member and worked as our treasurer. We
will miss all of them. This year’s Puja will be very different without our old friends who departed us
during the Covid-19 saga.
I hope and pray that Maa Durga’s blessings be bestowed upon us and we get back to our normal life
soon.
Best wishes and stay safe.
Tapon Halder
Dr. Tapon Halder
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
14
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
15
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Annual Accounts 2020 - 21
*DRAFT FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR ENDING 31 st March
2021
CHARITABLE DONATIONS
Two years ended 31st March
2021 2020
Note £ £ £ £
Member subscriptions 2,093 2,048
Durga pooja 2,177 18,034
Laxmi pooja 650 3,319
Saraswati pooja 152 1,555
Other funds received (b) 1 54 4,003
3,033 26,911
Brochure 50 2,250
Total monetary donations 5,176 31,209
New idols + transport (estimated) 5,000
Total charitable donations 5,176 36,209
CHARITABLE EXPENSES
Durga Puja expenses 400 11,837
Cultural programme (Diwali
Dhamaka)
500 3,870
Kali Puja expenses 0 2,314
Saraswati Puja expenses 200 2,060
Rang Mela / Holi expenses - -
Printing costs - 2,334
AGM - 787
Sound system (Equipment
Purchase)
115 5,827
Other expenses 2 1,090 6,222
Bad debts (brochure) 1,050
Professional fees – reserved 1,001
Depreciation expenses - -
Total expenditure 2,305 37,302
Net Surplus over Expenditure 2,871 -1,141
Accumulated fund brought
forward
Accumulated fund carried
forward
26,984
29,885 26,984
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
16
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 st MARCH 2020
Notes 2021 2020
Current Assets
Bank 27,518 24,835
Debtors 3 200 200
Idols 4,000 5,000
Sound system 5,244 5,827
Current liabilities 4 -2,577 -2,600
Balancing figure / suspense -4,531 -6,278
Net Assets 29,855 28,125
Represented by
Accumulated funds 29,855 28,125
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1) Other funds received
Bank statement deposits 3,083
less cash transactions recorded in spreadsheet
E-Brochure collected 50
Durga pooja 2,177
Laxmi Pooja 650
Saraswati pooja 152
54
2) Other expenses
Bank statement outgoings 876
less cash transactions recorded in spreadsheet
StreamYard 25
Zoom Annual Subscription 165
Flowers 25
1,090
Debtors
3) 2020 Holi Hall refund 200
4) Current Liabilities
Opening balance 2600
Holi
Professional fees
K Lal 23
Closing balance 2,577
*The Office Bearers have now appointed a new accountant for advice and final approval of the
accounts prior to submission to Charity Commission, and in the meantime the draft interim
accounts are being shared in the AGM for review and approval of the general membership to be
taken to the accountant.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
17
Dr. Jagadis Sarkar
(Former UKHCA President)
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
IN Loving Memory
Dr. Jagadis Chandra Sarkar was one of the founder members of this
organisation which was established as UK Hindu Cultural Association
during the early 90s. His guidance and co-operation from the very beginning
immensely benefited the growth of the Association to a very popular and
respectable entity within a short time.
With Dr. Sarkar’s active participation in1994 we were able to organise for the
first time the celebrations of Saraswati Puja with astounding success, which
in turn attracted many new faces to join us as members. Dr. Sarkar kindly
donated a new Idol of Ma Saraswati which was airlifted from Kolkata. We
worshipped with great devotion and joy for many years to follow.
Progress inevitably led us to start Durga Puja. In 2013, as President, Dr.
Sarkar took on himself to sort out the details of such a venture. During his
meetings with members, divergence of opinions surfaced on many aspects.
Like a patient and astute political operator, he tackled head-on all the
created problems and proved his faculty of being a persuasive advocate for
moderation. We were blessed to be able to worship for the first time our own
MA DURGA with great pomp and grandeur. The routine continued every
year under Dr. Sarkar as President till 2018 when he opted to step down due
to ill health.
Dr. Sarkar was an alumnus of National Medical College in Kolkata. He
enjoyed his professional career in the UK as a very successful GP with his
practices in Kent.
He was actively associated with many charities, both in the UK and in India,
confirming his inner urge to extend help to the deprived and needy ones. He
was an avid fan of cricket and had the knack of remembering all the awkward
statistics of the game.
Dr Sarkar died on 18th December 2020 in Kolkata. He is survived by his wife
Hasi and two sons Jaidip and Sandip. The name of UKHCA should remain
as a permanent monument to his memories. Dr. Sarkar: we all will deeply
miss you .
~ A tribute to the memory of our ex UKHCA President, from Shri Paritosh
Sarkar & Smt Sunanda Sarkar
Shalini Mathur
(14 years)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
18
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
In Loving Memory
Mrs. Alo Ray
(Former UKHCA Treasurer)
I can’t believe the news today, oh I can’t close my eyes and make it go away”. U2’s song reflects that
despite the horrors in Ma’s early life (riots, exodus, and plunging into poverty) one Sunday Bloody
Sunday we felt an utter loss and devastation losing her because she was a lovable person. She had an
innocence which made it hard to dislike her, even in her most socially clumsy moments because we all
knew there was no insincerity or dishonesty in her. Every society is better for having people like Ma.
This is one essence of her life.
Alo Ray’s journey across the universe is the same for all creatures - she was born, lived, and finally died.
Her story though is Cinderellaesq - born into wealth, betrayed by family paid to look after her, before
meeting her Prince Charming with whom she partied across continents and decades. Instead of being
gnarled and jaded by her early life she radiated joy.
My parents completed each other, the stoic intellectual and his gregarious partner. She was proud
that by the time she graduated from Calcutta University a handful of his more glamorous friends had
proposed to her, just in case he was too boring (or too dark skinned). They had a lifelong unbroken trust
which served them well. He worked, she socialised with seniors, judges and other interesting people he
should have been networking as an up and coming professional. They valued him and loved her.
During her life she had two homes, pre-partition Savar (in Dhaka) and London. They imprinted the
importance of culture, community, and society in her. Savar saw a carefree little girl doted on by her
patriarchal grandfather. After partition he stayed ‘home’, cried for Ma, and when he died the family
lands became enemy property and they became poor. Later she followed him and became a matriarch to
her seven brothers. London was her second and final home. In London they had cosmopolitan friends.
Pooja was enjoyed with community friends, Christmases with close friends from interesting Indians to
British and Norwegian war heroes.
Another recurring theme in Ma’s life is that she loved to spend time with people. This was palpable in her
time with the UKHCA. She wanted it to be a multi-generational organisation, to reflect a community she
idealised. She served for many years as Treasurer and was one of the first faces people saw, smiling and
welcoming. She wanted the previous generation to be mentors for the next. She was proud she “dragged”
me into the UKHCA and I eventually succeeded her as Treasurer. In the last couple of years she was
often grateful to London for giving her the opportunity to see different ways of living, to understand
things in a way she wished she could have done earlier. Like all mothers she desperately wanted me to
marry and I left a hole in her life. I am grateful that in the end she understood and supported me, the
child she devoted years to and who spent his life trying to protect and support her. Ironically I think it is
my relationship with the UKHCA that eventually gave her the confidence to leave me. She desperately
missed Baba and trusted I had grown-up.
~ By Dwaipayan Roy (Son of Alo Ray)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
19
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Mr. Basudeb Dhar
In Loving Memory
Basudeb Dhar, fondly known as Basu or Basuda was a key active member
during the initial years of our Pujo. He had a gift to strike up an interesting
conversation and more so if it was anything remotely related to food and
football/cricket. His knowledge of restaurants for authentic cuisine was a
window to his enthusiasm in what he believed and loved.
An ardent Chelsea fan only to be matched by his superlative knowledge about
its history. He was the perfect bridge between the existing and the younger
generation of ideas among the Pujo members. His untimely departure has
left an immense void not just in his family but in all of us as friends and
family in the UKHCA family too.
He will be sorely missed by all and his fond memories will always be cherished
and treasured by us!
Life and death are two sides of the same coin.To be alive while you are dead
and dead while you live is the only difference. And he definitely lit up the
whole room with his positivity
May his soul rest in peace for eternity!
~ By Mr. Parthasarathi Karmokar
Dr. Ajay Sil
Dr. Ajoy Kumar Sil (Ajoy da to most) will be best remembered for his delightful
smile that lightened up his face and his jovial character that left a lasting
impression on all those he met.
In recent years he was a keen supporter of the UKHCA family attending and
taking part wholeheartedly in our pujas and festivities together with his wife
Moni and his two daughters, Aditi and Nandini.
Our fondest memories are of his witty comments and exchanges with Hirak
da particularly during anjali sessions that brought a chuckle and a smile on
all our faces. He lightened up the atmosphere and brought people together
engaging with adults and children alike often getting people talking and
chatting even when they had never met before.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. May his soul rest in peace.
~ By Mrs. Mousumi Das
Saavi Jalit (8 years)
Siya Sil Verma (5 years)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
Xaria Coughlan (6 years)
20
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Dr. Supriya
Bandyopadhyay
Dr. Anjan
Bandyopadhyay
In Loving Memory
Dr. Supriya Bandyopadhyay ( Supriyadi to most) was born in Jamshedpur on
6th of October 1944 and sadly passed away on 18th January 2021 . Supriyadi
faced her illness with great fortitude undertaking artwork, interacting with
friends and family and even attending our virtual puja from her hospital bed
whilst on oxygen therapy. Her indomitable spirit was truly inspirational to
see.
Supriyadi graduated from RG Kar Medical college in 1967 and married her
beloved Anjan on 20th July 1969, celebrating a wonderful Golden Anniversary
in 2019. She was a Haematologist but went into General Practice in 1992 .
Supriyadi will be remembered for her beautiful smile, vivacious, friendly
and warm personality which left an indelible mark on anyone who met and
knew her. She was glamorous and always looked immaculate. Her graceful
dancing ( which she loved) will be thoroughly missed during our festivities.
Her association with UKHCA has been longstanding and her presence at
all our events brought great energy, enthusiasm and happiness. She will be
deeply missed by everyone who knew her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Dr. Anjan Bandyopadhay ( Anjanda to many) was born on the 3rd of Dec 1942
in Patna and sadly left us on the 24th of September 2020. Anjanda graduated
from R G Kar medical college with his beloved wife Supriya in 1967. They
were married in 1969 and arrived in UK in December 1976 after spending a
couple of years in Benghazi in Libya.
Anjanda practised as an orthopaedic surgeon in South London, having
obtained his FRCS in 1983. He subsequently completed his GP Training
in 1987 and worked with Supriyadi at the Sidcup Medical Centre for many
years.
Both Anjanda and Supriyadi had been UKHCA members since it’s inception
and played a pivotal role in the growth and expansion of the organisation
over the years.
We all fondly remember Anjanda for his witty comments, sense of humour
and his warm and charming personality. Our festivities will not be the same
without his dignified presence and his infectious smile, always with a twinkle
in his eyes. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Anjanda and Supriyadi are survived by their only son, Indranil and
innumerable friends and family who will miss them both immensely.
~ By Dr. Roshmi Kumar with input from Mr. Indranil Bandyopadhyay
Dhruvi Shah
10 years
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
21
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Raina Sahoo
(11 years)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
22
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
23
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Story of our Durga Puja in 2020
করোনার ক্রিয়েশন
দেবাসিশ সরকার
করোনা যে মানুষের কাছ থেকে কতকিছু ছিনিয়ে নিয়েছে তার হিসেবের অন্ত নেই। রোজ আমরা খবরের হেডলাইন এ লক্ষ লক্ষ মানুষের
মৃত্ যুর খবর শুনি। সেই সমস্ত মানুষরা কারো মা-বাবা ও পরম আত্মীয় স্বজন, এই অকাল মৃত্ যুর শোক সামলাতে না পেরে বা চাকরি ও নিরাপদ
আশ্রয়ে হারিয়ে অনেকেই তাদের মানসিক ভারসাম্য বজায় রাখতে পারে না। এইসব যতো গেল সব করোনা ক্ষয়ক্ষতির দিক গুরলো, আবার কিন্তু
করোনা আমাদের অনেক কিছু শিক্ষা ও দিয়েছে। এই যেমন আজকাল সবাই নতু ন প্রযুসতির সাহায্যে, বন্ু েোন্রের সাথে প্রায়ই জুম মিটিং
এ দেখা সাক্ষাত করার জন্য সময় বার করে। আমরা ও কয়েকজন মিলে জুম মিটিং এ নানা রকম কালচারাল পপ্রোগ্োম করেছি, আর এই যে
আমাদের সবার অনলাইন ব্োশিওর সেটাও যতো এই করোনাকালেরই ফসল। এই রকমই প্রযুসতি নির্ভ র, আর একটা অভিজ্ঞতা যে আমার
জমীেরন এই প্রথম িরলো, এবার সেই প্রেরগে আসি।
আমি UKHCA েরগে যুতি। এই অযুোরেোসিয়েশন, েোগেোলমীরদ প্রধান উৎসব দুর্গাপূজা, কালমীপূজা, সরস্বতমী পূজা ও যদোল উৎসব এসবের
আর়েোজন করে থাকে। আর অযুোরেোসিয়েশনের কালচারাল পপ্রোগ্োম এর দোক়েরবে ভার এর জন্য নিজেকে ধন্য মনে করি| তাই গত বছর
করোনার জন্য যখন সবকিছু েন্ হতে লাগল তখন সবকিছু অনিশ্চয়তার ঘিরে গেল। আমাদের প্রধান উৎসব দুর্গাপুরজো করা যাবে কিনা,
বা কিভাবে করা হবে, হল বুকিং, কতজন আসতে পারবে, কতজন ভলেন্টিয়ার সাহায্য করতে পারবে, এইসব জল্পনা-কল্পনা হতে লোেরলো।
কিন্তু আমরা কিছু ই ছথির করতে পারছিলাম না। কারণ কভিডের প্রভাব কতদূর গডোরে, লকডাউন কতদিন চলবে পুরোটাই ছিল অনিশ্চিত।
প্রায় অগাস্ট মাস হয়ে গেল তখন ও আমরা দুর্গা পুরজো নিয়ে অন্কারে। তাই আমরা ছথির করলাম যে, অন্য যকোন উপায় না হলে, অনলাইনে
দুর্গা পুরজো করলে কেমন হয়? তখরনো UK বা লন্ডনে কেউই অনলাইনে পুরজোর ব্যাপারটা প্রকাশ করেনি। আমরা অনলাইন ্ডকাস্টিং এর
বিভিন্ন প্রযুসতি খতিয়ে দেখতে লাগলাম, আর কিভাবে সেটা করা যায় তার প্যুোন করতে লাগলাম। আমাকে এইসব পরিচালনা করার গুরু
দোক়েবে দেয়া হল। বেশ অনেকটা েড চ্যালেঞ্জ মনে হয়েছিল ব্যাপারটা। কয়েকটা যফোকাস গ্রুপ তৈরি করা িরলো। প্রথমে, ্ডকাস্টিং প্োিফর্ম
আর তা টেকরনোলজি নিয়ে রাতদিন এক হল। আমরা কেউই তার ব্যাপারে খুব একটা বেশি জানতাম না। ছবিতমী়েতঃ কিভাবে করব পুরজো?
যকোথায় হবে? কখন হবে কালচারাল পপ্রোগ্োম? আর কি ভাবে সেটা হবে? সবাই কিভাবে পুরজোতে অংগ্িণ করবে? কিভাবে অঞ্জলি দেবে?
সবাই পুরজোর পপ্রোগ্োম কিভাবে উপরভোগ করবে? অনেকগুরলো প্রশ্ন নিয়ে আমরা সবাই জল্পনা-কল্পনায় মেতে উঠলাম। শুরু িরলো পুরজোর
অনলাইন ্ডকাস্টিং এর আর়েোজন। বিভিন্ন যেোশ্যাল মিডিয়াতে পাবলিসিটি করা িরলো, আর পুরো বিশ্ব থেকে সবাই নিজেদের বিভিন্ন
পারফরম্যান্স আমাদেরকে পাঠাতে লোেরলো। আমরা অভিভূ ত হয়ে সেগুরলো সুন্দরভাবে পুরজোর দিন গুরলোতে সম্প্রসারণ করবার শিডিউলে
সাজাতে লাগলাম। িমীক দা যিনি আমাদের পুরহিত, ভাবা িকছিল তার েোছড থেকে পুরজো ্ডকাস্টিং করা হবে। আর আমি একদিন আগে
গিয়ে ওনার েোছডরত সব েযুেথিো করে আেরেো, তারপর পুরজোর প্রত্যেকটা দিন আমরা কেউ না কেউ গিয়ে ওখান থেকে সম্প্রসারনের পরিচা-
লনা করব। ঠিক হতে লোেরলো সেই খু ঁটিনাটি। আমরা সবাই উৎসবের আনন্দে মেতে উঠছিলাম। কিন্তু পুরজোর একসপ্োি আগে UK গভন্ভরমটি
Tier 2 রেস্ট্রিকশনস যিোষণা করলেন, যার ফলে কেউ আর Tier2 অঞ্চলে বাইরে থেকে ঢু কতে পারবে না সেইদিন মধযুোকরি থেকে I আমাদের
পুরোহিতের এলাকা সেই Tier 2 রেস্ট্রিকশনস এর
আওতায় পরড গেল। খবরটি পাওয়ার পর, সময় ছিল
মোরি আর কয়েকটি িটিো, তারপর উনার েোছডরত আর
কেউ ঢু কতে পারবে না। পুরজোর ্ডকাস্টিং এ গভমী
অন্কার নেমে এরলো। সবাই প্রায় হাল যছরড দিয়েছিল
যে এবার আর দুর্গা পুরজো করা সম্ভব হবে না। একটি
আশার আরলো দেখোরলো করমোট করট্োল অপারেশন।
সেটআপ এর ইনফ্ো্রিোকচার আমার কাছে ডেলিভারি
ির়ে গেছছরলো I এতে আমাদের লজিস্টিকস টীম এর
প্রচেষ্ো বিশেষ ভূ মিকা আছে I িমীক দা থাকেন
নর্থ লন্ডনে আর আমি সাউথইস্ট, প্রায় িটিো খানেক
এর রাস্তা। আমি যকোন সময় নষ্ না করে, িমীক দার
েোছডরত লকডাউন আরম্ভ হওয়ার আগে, সব সেটআপ
করে দিয়ে এলাম, ল্যাপটপ, ক্যামেরা, সাউন্ড। সবকিছু
করমোট করট্োরল পরিচালনা করা হবে, যাতে ওনার
যকোন অসুবিধে না হয়। উনি আমাদের কাউকে সাথে
পাবেন না ভেবে খুব নার্ভ াস িকছিলেন। আমি বারবার
করে ওনাকে আশ্বস্ত করছিলাম যে যকোন অসুবিধা হবে
আমাদের প্রিয় হীরকদা ও গীতাদি
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
না আমরা যতো আছি। কিন্তু অনেকটা েড ঝু ঁ কি তবুও
ছিল, কারণ ক্যামেরা করট্োল, ভয়েস করট্োল, স্টু ছডও
করট্োল, সব ব্যাপার গুরলো একসাথে কলিক করলে
তবেই পুরো পুরজোটা সফল ভাবে ্ডকাস্ট করা যাবে
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Story of our Durga Puja in 2020
বিশ্বজুরড। অনেকটা সায়েন্স ফিকশন মুভির মরিো। আমরা কয়েকটা ট্োইল দিলাম যা আমাদের মনে ভরসা যজোেোরলো, যে এই নতু নভাবে পুরজো
আমরা করতে পোরেো। যেভাবে দিন এরেোতে লোেরলো, সবার পরিশ্রম ও উরদযুোগে মনেই িরলোনা এবার পুরজোটা অন্য রকম হয়েছে। বরঞ্চ
একটা আলাদা অনুভু তি এসেছে, অনেকের লুরকোরনো সরিয়েটিভ সাইটটাও সামনে প্রকাশ পেয়েছে। আমার অনেক দিনের ইরছি ছিল যে, িমীক
দার পুরজো ও কথা রেকর্ড করে রাখরেো। কারণ ওনার পুরজো করার ধরণটা একেবারেই গুরুেম্ভমী টাইপের নয়, মন্ত্রের মানে যেোঝোরনো আর
বেশ মরনোরঞ্জন করেন সবাইকে। আর শেষমেষ এই করোনার প্ররকোপে আমার ইরছিিো পূর্ণ িরলো। পুরজোর দিন ও সন্যুোগুরলো পুরজো, অঞ্জলি,
সাংস্ৃকতক অনুষ্োন এর লাইভ ্ডকাস্টিং ও পরিচালনার ব্যস্ততার মধ্যে কেটে গেল। শুধু আমাদের অযুোরেোসের়েন ই নয়, উপরন্তু বিশ্বের
বিভিন্ন প্রান্ত থেকে অনেকে আমাদের পুরজো উপরভোগ করেছেন জানতে পেরে মন আনন্দে ভরে গেল। এটা ছিল আমার অনেক েড পাওনা।
দমীি্ভ সম়ে ধরে আমরা করোনার আঘাতে ছিন্নভিন্ন হয়ে চলেছি। কিন্তু সাইন্স সবাইকে আশার আরলো দেখোরছি I এখন ভ্যাকসি-
নেশন ও এশের়ে চলেছে I আশা করি খুব শীঘ্রই আমরা আবার নিজেদের স্বাভাবিক জমীেরন ফিরতে পারব। আবার ফিজিক্যাল
পুরজো ও উৎসব পালন করতে পোরেো. সবার সাথে এই আনন্দ উপরভোগ করতে পোরেো I আর সেই প্রচেষ্ো়ে এবার আমরা
ফিজিক্যাল পুরজোতে ফিরে েোকছি সাবজেক্ট টু গরম্ভটি গাইডলাইন I কিন্তু আমাদের এই নতু ন স্বাভাবিক জমীেনটা ি়েরতো সেই
পুরোরনো স্বাভাবিক এ যকোনদিনই ফিরতে পারবে না, কারণ আমরা অনেক নতু ন কিছু কে আমাদের জমীেরন এই সম়ে গ্িণ
করতে শিখেছি। যার মধ্যে একটা হল েমীমোিমীন বিশ্ব।
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Glimpses of our virtual Cultural Programme in 2020
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Our Climate Appeal
ALARM BELLS RINGING………. ACT NOW & FAST!!
Arunima Saha (Director, A-Star Tuitions)
The IPCC, a United Nations body, published their sixth assessment report on climate change recently
www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/ which calls on governments and citizens of the world to act now. I am
sure this is a topic close to many of our hearts, and here’s a list of small steps we can take together at
the grassroots – not only for us, but for our future generations to come…. Other than turning off
the lights - we can also try below:
• Track your carbon footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/
• Write to your local MP to support local green and low traffic neighbourhood schemes. www.hftf.org.
uk/general-mp-letter (templates)
• Repair your old stuff www.repaircafe.org
• Reduce down your thermostat by 1 degree to contribute 300kg LESS CO2 annually www.worldwildlife.
org/magazine/issues/winter-2013/articles/save-energy-by-adjusting-your-thermostat
• Switch to renewable energy – not only at home but at work too! www.bigcleanswitch.org/
• Go on a Plastic-diet – switch to plastic free www.pfree.co.uk/the-benefits/
• Ditch disposables – including for food, masks, cups, etc. - actforeden.org.uk/promises/ditch-thedisposables/
• Get your children involved with tree planting www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-andcommunities/
• Plant a tree as a remembrance www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening/remembrance
• Eat more plants - www.sustain.ucla.edu/food-systems/the-case-for-plant-based/
• Drive an EV (and you may not need own it after all!) https://on.to/electric-cars
• Tap off www.sustainability.ncsu.edu/blog/changeyourstate/6-times-you-should-turn-off-the-tap-tosave-water/
• Buy local and support regenerative crops which help build climate resilience https://hodmedods.
co.uk/
• Invest away – in Fossil Fuel free funds - www.pensionbee.com/fossil-fuel-free-pension
Let’s take some action together, I am sure every little will help. Thank you.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Charity endeavour
The Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge for Oxygen for India appeal
Debkumar Pandit
The end of the relentless flow of the patients couldn’t come sooner, when I was working as a Consultant
in Intensive care on one of the busiest ITU in Kent at the beginning of the year, dealing with numerous
COVID patients with the Kent mutation. Slowly March came, and it started to ease off, and I was busy
nurturing the physical and mental scar that was left behind by the second surge of the pandemic in
the UK. Then came the stream of the most dreadful news from India. With the rising cases of COVID,
there were stories of Oxygen shortage and patients dying without being able to access oxygen. This time
I felt more helpless than ever as we could not get oxygen to these patients or get them the beds in the
hospital. Meanwhile, Jayashis who is a GP in the North East returned from Kolkata witnessing, firsthand,
the panic in people’s minds. Anindya, a Financial Analyst working in London started making
phone calls to Kolkata to make plans where he could get oxygen if one of his family members or friends
became ill. Out of this collective desperation and helplessness we, three friends - Deb, Jay and Anindya
- decided to take on the challenge of the Yorkshire Three Peaks to raise funds for the oxygen in India
appeal of the British Asian Trust. This is a Prince Charles Charity with many years of charitable
healthcare activities in Asia through established partners on the ground. We hoped to walk 24 miles
climbing 1585m (5200ft) in less than 12 hours to meet the challenge on 5th June 2021 and raise funds
to help the most distressed patients in India.
We trained by walking the Surrey hills a couple of times and made use of the Cardio - trainers in the
gym, especially the StairMaster.
Our challenge day was blessed with wonderful weather. We finished the challenge in less than 12
hours, covering around 25 miles on 5th June 2021. With the help of donations from our friends and
colleagues we raised more than £4200 for the charity. No words are enough to express our gratitude
for the generosity and support that we have received for the endeavour. It will only become a greater
inspiration for us to do more in the future.
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Partnership of Two Hobbies!!
Ramesh Vasant Shenai, Maharashtra, India
On one beautiful event, a ‘Butterfly Week’, I casually asked my mother “Would you like to do Rangolis
for Butterfly Week?” Without any hesitation, she said "Yes!" And from there, our different hobbies
signed a partnership. The agreement was, I will provide her the photos and she will make rangoli of
those...
My mother’s affair with rangolis started as she used to watch her mother making rangolis in their front
yard. Slowly she started learning to make rangolis merely by observing what her mother used to do.
After marriage, her passion for rangoli turned into a kind of her daily routine. Mainly her content used
to be religious subjects or different artistic designs. But in the last few years, as she learned to use social
media, she got to learn new ideas and experiment with a lot of things in her rangolis.
I am a naturalist and wildlife photographer. I simply love to go out in nature and capture different
beauties of nature with my camera. We as nature lovers celebrate nature in the form of different events.
So, in our first project of the Butterfly week, she made different rangolis every day, some of which were
Chestnut Tiger from the Himalayas, very colourful Common jezebel, and pretty Blue Pansy.
After the success of our first project, she started enjoying this unique partnership. We kept on doing
small assignments occasionally. We celebrated some special birds which visited Vasai. Be a rare Caspian
plover that visited one of our beaches or Pretty flamingos visiting salt pans near us. We celebrated them
with our art.
Our next big opportunity came in November where we were going to celebrate ‘Pakshi Saptah’ (Bird
Week) from 5 -12 November. During this event, my mother surprised me with each of her rangolis which
were so far her best work on the subject. This event was celebrated to honour two legends in ornithology.
It started with the birthday of great Shri. Maruti Chitampalli. In sir’s honour she started her week with
a wonderful rangoli of sir and state bird of Maharashtra - the Yellow-footed Green Pigeon.
The last day of the event was the 125th birth anniversary of the great ‘Birdman of India’ Dr. Salim Ali.
For him, she made his portrait along with the pretty forest beauty Black-hooded oriole which I got to
click in the forest near us.
The remaining days of Pakshi Saptah was also an exhibition of rangolis of pretty birds like royal-looking
Eurasian Hoopoe, a bird with a magnificent shade of blue Indian Roller, and tiny yellow Indian White-
Eye.
After such enjoyable experiences, this partnership is surely going to last long and be profitable. This
adventure encourages both of us to do better in our respective passions. As I am writing this today, we
completed our latest assignment with a rangoli of mesmerizing Pheasant-tailed Jacana I clicked a few
days back. Just have a look at our latest assignment!
Rangolis by: Mrs. Vinaya Vasant Snenai
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Krishna 13 years
Dr. Jai Patel
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Creative Contributions
Hello from Down Under !!
Dr. Arpita Ghosh, MRCOG DFSRH FRANZCOG,
Consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecologist,St John of God Midland Public Hospital, Perth, Western
Australia, Adjunct Senior Clinical Lecturer, Curtin University, Associate Professor,Lincoln University,
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
It was with mixed feelings that myself and my family decided to take a leap of faith and relocate to
Australia in September 2017, after 14 years in the United Kingdom. One of the highlights of our stay
in the United Kingdom was our integral association with UKHCA, and we had become a big family. We
can never forget the ups and downs, the laughs and tears and the camaraderie that touched our hearts
and souls, and the lifelong friendships we forged. It felt like a personal loss of a family member to know
about the unfortunate demise of Alodi, Supriyadi, Anjanda, Jagadishda…and Basudeb, which we still
live in disbelief.
The main reason for our move was that for medical professions, Australia offered a much better work
life balance than what we would have expected in the UK. There are several reasons for this. Australian
cities consistently rank very high in the “quality of living” index, and currently Perth ranks 6th on the
global livability index. It has more than 300 days of sunshine in a year, making it the “sunniest” capital
city in the world (It is the capital of Western Australia). It also has an enviable healthcare system, with a
publicly funded, and a robust private sector, offering the best of both worlds. With over 80% Australians
living within 50 Km of the coast, the beach, sun, outdoor life and BBQ is very much the quintessential
Aussie lifestyle! We currently live very close one of the most stunning beaches of Australia. But perhaps
what trumps it all is the time we get as a family, and with our kids, and they love the outdoor life
Australia has to offer. As for us, we have been extremely lucky to have settled in Australia quickly, with
both our permanent consultant positions in the public sector, and setting up private practice. But….we
still miss UK and especially Aishani who is always negotiating with us to return to London!
It came as a pleasant surprise that Perth too has a vibrant and active
Bengali community that organises all major activities such as Noboborsho,
Rabindra Joyonti, Durga Pujo, Kali Pujo, Saraswati Pujo etc. In the last
annual function, I did the full version of Chitrangada dance drama, which
was a huge success. I could not help thinking of our own “Teen Kanya”
dance drama by UKHCA, where we pushed the boundaries and created
unforgettable bonds and memories, I am sure it must be close to the hearts
of many as it is for me. The Durga Puja here is also a grand affair but
usually just over the weekend, to maximise attendance. But I really miss
our UKHCA’s Durga Puja, with Hirakda at the helm, the anticipation and
excitement of seeing the Pujo Brochure, the fun of getting involved in the
decorating, cooking and cultural programme, and the absolutely yummy
Bhog Prasad that Bimalda is so particular about, I don’t think you can
beat that anywhere in this world!
One of the things I am currently heavily involved is being an executive
committee member of the Australian
Indian Medical Association (AIMA),
an organisation of over 400 doctors and their families. A big
part of our work involves organising community based medical
education events, recent ones on women’s health have been hugely
successful. We also have high profile education talks by specialists
(the last one was on a cruise on river Swan and Amit was the
speaker for that!) and the annual Diwali night- an evening with
networking, speeches, stage performances, fundraising, dance and
decadent dining! In fact, it has grown so much in the last couple of
years that we are actually having our next one this November in
Perth’s Optus Stadium! Advocacy has been a part of this role, and
I recently gave a TV interview on the ban of repatriation flights
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from India as a spokesperson for AIMA, which was widely publicised. It reminded me of our own NDTV
interviews during Durga Puja, it was so much fun. We raised nearly $130,000 for member donations to
send ventilators to India, and a further $150,000 in grants from the Australian Government towards
our COVID relief effort in India, and continues to spearhead charity initiatives in the form of various
events, the most recent one I organised last weekend was the “Ladies night” where we donated the
proceeds to cancer research.
All in all, while Australia seems to have given
us everything we had hoped for (and we have
a new member in the family- Bingo, our dog)
we still miss the UK and all our friends and
extended family there, and we really hope to
catch up with everyone again soon. Till we
meet…be safe everyone !
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Creative Contributions
What’s holding you back?
Dr. Abhha Sandill (Rapid Transformation Therapist and Mindset Coach)
‘… I am a practising dermatologist. However, there is something that’s been bothering me for a while
now. I have a lovely 2-year-old daughter, who I love to bits. I am very expressive towards her and
share a strong emotional bond. But my husband and even my mother often highlight that I am quite
emotionally closed – not expressing myself much - with them. While I do recognise and understand
there may be truth in what they are stating, I don’t really know why it happens. I do love them a lot, but
perhaps it just doesn’t come naturally to me to share my thoughts and emotions openly with them. And
it does make me feel guilty sometimes that I am being unkind to them’, conveyed Anita (name changed)
during her initial discovery session with me.
Anita further added ‘… it impacts my work too. I would certainly like to be
able to show more empathy towards my patients. It may also help them be
more open and feel at ease with me …’. Finding something amiss, Anita finally
decided to take professional help to seek answers to her predicament and
reached out to me about a year ago.
During her therapy sessions, I took Anita through the 3i rapid transformation
process of
Investigating the root cause(s) of her inability to express herself,
Inquiring about the specific beliefs that she had formed about herself
through some earlier experiences in her life that were making her hesitant in
expressing emotions more openly, and finally
Installing new beliefs to help her be in full control of her life and feel liberated
to express herself authentically, to her loved ones as well as her patients.
As I supported Anita in her personal transformation journey, we discovered
that, at an early age (10 years old) she experienced a trauma at home that had
put her in a difficult position. To her, being a ‘good’ daughter meant that she should not say anything to
her parents as it would upset them. But, deep down, she developed resentment towards the parents for
not being able to assimilate what she was suffering, as everything happened under their noses. She was
angry at them for firstly, not being able to protect her in an environment she believed she was secure
in, and then also not connecting the dots that something wrong was happening, given her changing
behaviour.
Even as a 10-year-old, Anita formed a strong belief sub-consciously that she was not important enough
to her parents.
That they did not love her. She felt unsafe. Her trust had been broken. And she felt a growing burden
of maintaining her ‘good daughter’ image, to keep her parents happy - even at the cost of her own truth
and happiness.
As a child, this was the interpretation that her young mind made. She knew no better than to curb her
voice. This pattern repeated in her life on two more occasions, before the age of 15, further reinforcing
her beliefs.
In those unkind experiences, once again, she learnt to shun her voice and not speak out, because speaking
up for herself would mean disturbing the status quo. Even though many years had passed since these
incidents occurred and Anita now was married and had a successful career, the subconscious beliefs
formed during those early years were leading her to continue hiding her true feelings, even from those
who genuinely cared for her.
Installing new, empowering beliefs into Anita’s sub-conscious, the use of proven rapid transformation
therapy techniques delivered immediate results. Straight after the session, Anita found the courage
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Creative Contributions
to have an open conversation with her mother on what had
transpired and been driving her behaviour since. She also found
an empowering way to connect with her husband emotionally.
And, it also had a massive impact on her ability to support her
patients more holistically.
By identifying our deep-seated ‘limiting’ beliefs that
are holding us back, and reframing and rewiring them
at subconscious level, we can unlock the power to solve
every challenge in our lives and rise to our full potential.
Saree mein naari
Dipti Jain
Saree mein naari
Jab aangan paar kare
Bahar aaye
Laxman Rekha chhod kar
Khuli hawaon mein
Jab jab apne aanchal lahraaye
Acche achhe ki bolti bandh aur
Hazaaroin par kahar dhaye
Chhoti chhoti ashaaon ko
Pankh lagaye
Armaanon ko seene mein chhupaaye
Sapnon ko udaan lagaaye
Nari jab jab tera aanchal lehraaye
Devi Maa ki shakti
Ka ahsaas dilaye
Saree mein naari
Tu jab jab aanchal lehraaye
Lakhon par kahar dhaye
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Creative Contributions
Death Awaits
INTRO: This is a poem that depicts the feelings of soldiers, fighting for their country in a war
Death awaits for them to come,
As the men sit with their fingers numb,
They have to tell themselves a lie,
There’s not a drop of a tear in their eye...
The enemies gift us a destructive grenade,
As the guns and cries sing death’s serenade,
Wounded and terrified soldiers crawl through the mud,
And planes drop bombs that make the ground thud.
Bullets are shot with the speed of light,
With courage in their hearts, for the country, they fight,
While we taste high tea, sitting on benches,
They taste bitter death, waiting in their trenches.…
Tears drop down like bombs from the sky,
As they never knew the enemy is so sly,
The families may lose their beloved young boys,
They wait, in silence, without making a single noise.…
DEATH AWAITS…
By Debaditya Chatterjee (11 years old)
Aneeka Nandi (13 years)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
Vinaya Shenai
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Why do we need Wills?
Nilesh Bhatt
In our daily life, before this pandemic, we normally did not get the time to dwell upon a few very
important questions. Do we have any backup plans in the event something unfortunate should happen?
How will our family be taken care of? Have we ensured appropriate cash flows at a time when earning
members in the families get adversely affected or something happens to them?
I am sure that these are some of the questions that may run through peoples’ minds. Very often we find
that it is an event or an unfortunate happening that jolts us to reality that life is uncertain and that it
is our obligation as heads of the family and bread winners to provide for our families through structured
plans.
While the importance of making ones’ Will cannot be overemphasised under the circumstances, this is
the best and simplest form of putting a plan in place for the benefit of your loved ones!
Why is making a Will so important?
• Making a Will is important as you can bequeath certain assets to a specific relative to the exclusion
of another with a particular intention in mind! Without a Will your estate will devolve on your legal
heirs according to your personal law!
• The most important thing about a Will is that it leaves comprehensible and explicit instructions
about the deceased’s property and estate.
• Without a Will in place, it may lead to chaos and confusion amongst your loved ones, misunderstandings
and disputes. Not that a Will cannot be challenged! But a carefully drafted Will with precautions
considered will minimise such a challenge and family disputes!
• A Will drawn up that considers your family dynamics can go a long way in protecting family members
under specific circumstances. For example, a husband providing life interest for his spouse will
ensure basic protection and a roof over her head or an asset through which his better half can
sustain from!
• Creating appropriate structures through your Will (e.g Testamentary Trusts) can help to make
provisions for minor children, special children and dependents and even grandchildren. Through
your Will you can appoint a Guardian of your choice and also make financial arrangements for them.
• A Will can also be instrumental in protecting one’s business by passing on your shareholding in a
defined manner thereby reducing friction in business ventures.
• One can also create specific structures through which assets can be housed for specific purposes
which can achieve long term goals.
• Making specific desires such as charity and philanthropy will ensure that something you are
passionate about can be achieved after you.
• One can leave instructions to follow to handle digital assets
• While making one’s Will a lot of unanswered questions and issues worrying the mind could get
resolved.
• A Will can always be revoked by a fresh Will. Just as one reviews one’s financial portfolio, it is
recommended to review one’s desires and will! Making your Will is better than having no plan in
place!
• While making a Will is an easy process, certain precautions need to be kept in mind such as:
1. Choosing Executors - their willingness and capability to act. Choosing an independent Executor
if you foresee family disputes
2. Choice of Witnesses - not as a matter of a formality but with a purpose and credibility of
Witnesses
3. Your Asset Profile and geography of assets - whether you need one Will or separate Wills for
each jurisdiction (e.g., India, US etc)
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4. Family dynamics and desiresMaking specific your desires and intentions clear and unequivocally
5. Timing and mental frame-up
6. Will storage have its own major benefits
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Humble Yet Hungry
Zai Shanbhag – Director & Owner at Olectrical UK
Ever since my first job, I realized that working for someone else is just not meant for me. Gaining a
Master’s in Business Administration from a reputed college landed me a good job with decent salary
however the satisfaction was still not there. I have always been thinking, ``What will happen if I put
the long hours I have been putting in for someone else and put this passion in something that is my
own?” because I was helping in making someone else’s dreams come true, but what about mine?!
Luckily, I met my perfect other half who exactly thought the same as I did. However we had been
trapped in the rat-race for so long that the dream of having our own business started fading and we
settled into our 9am to 5pm comfort zone for over 15 years, until 2 years ago.
Year 2019 was the year of change in the lives of many of us. Our story wasn’t very different either. I
was working as an HR & Analytics Manager for one of the top oil and gas companies, earning a decent
living. In 2019, I delivered our little bundle of joy but within 1 month into my maternity leave, the
announcement of our company moving abroad came from my manager. The company was moving to
Switzerland and I had two options – either move to Switzerland, a completely new country with a very
young baby and a very confused husband or take up voluntary redundancy. It did not make any sense
in uprooting my already happy and settled husband from the UK and planting him in an unknown
country. With a big lump in my throat, I went for the second option – redundancy. Amidst all the mixed
emotions, the thought of starting something of our own started resurfacing which became stronger with
the news of Covid and lockdown. As they say, when you are thinking about something day and night,
the universe conjures those things into your life. And that’s how Olectrical happened. It started with a
vague idea initially but we built on it, developed it, worked on its suppliers, marketing etc. and brought
it closer to our vision. The concept is simple yet with a gap in the market – we provide smart electrical
solutions for homes, offices, care homes, shops and hospitals, just tapping a little into the technological
advancement to make our lives easier on a daily basis. It gives me immense satisfaction to see great
reviews for the products and customer services that Olectrical offers. Finding my foot in something so
new to me is certainly not a cakewalk but as they say, magic happens when you are out of your comfort
zone. Even though we started it slowly, we are very ambitious and with all our heart and passion we
will keep building on it. There are days when the struggle is real because we are a small team and
one person does multiple jobs. But I particularly enjoy the freedom it gives me around my very active
toddler and also a sense of identity, a value addition to myself, that we are touching peoples’ lives in
some way, shape or form. Yes, we are far from where we want to be, but now the journey is much more
joyful than just dreaming about the end goal. Now I am not working to fulfil someone else’s dreams, I
am living my own….
Olectrical in a nut-shell
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Creative Contributions
Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer
When trees begin to shed their leaves,
The air starts to become infused with the sweet scent;
Of people out to observe the sight,
Of autumn in its full might.
The air is crisp, and the wind is strong,
No leaves on trees, just ice settling on branches,
And snow dropping down, on people walking along;
Taking it in: winter once more.
After burrowing deep and starting to store
Animals begin to come out once more,
The warmer weather, the wetter weather;
Proving itself useful to all plants that grow,
All thankful for spring to show.
The heat is here;
After the entire year,
People enjoy the summer’s heat,
Absorbing the radiant light of the sun,
Because before long - summer will be gone
And autumn starts once again.
By Siddhant Das
Jisha Guha
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
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Maa Saraswati - Ashmi Das (11 Years)
Shaurya Desai (11 Years)
Many thanks to Indian Delicacies for sponsoring the
award for the winner of coverpage artwork contest
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Shreyasi Boral (16 years)
Awarded Best Artwork by Claytastic
Dhanya Pradeep
Shambhavi Sinha
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Tsunami
Aneeka Nandi
There we saw it, the huge wave rushing towards us at full force. Slowly swallowing the town, it started
from the tugboats that were nanoscopic compared to the waves. The deafening sound of the warning
sirens were wailing loudly as civilians ran to higher places to avoid getting swept away into the murky
depths of the sea. Then at last, it reached the seaside town.
The tsunami wave crashed louder than the explosions in a land mine and the water washed in the
town like it was no more substantial than an architect's scale model abandoned on the sands. It was
the extinguishing of a dream, of a way of life, easier than wet fingers on a candle flame. It wasn't just
the buildings that got taken out to sea, it was everything we were. In its wake we were like empty jars
on a shelf, still holding on to our homes but without anything left inside. My family and I followed the
panicked people up the high mountainside and tried not to look behind us at the sea. The wave got
closer to the mountains and swallowed everything on the way. We prayed it would not destroy the
sturdy mountain.
Suddenly as we were near the shelter, we heard a scream and we turned around just to find something
worse. It was colossal, it was big, at least bigger than the previous one. Aggressively, the waves, bigger
than anyone can imagine came racing towards the city, washing everything that was left in the way. A
second wave was coming at us quickly. Everyone was running and screaming. The high tower that held
the wailing sirens had collapsed under the sheer force in which the massive wave hit it.
When the wave finally retreated, we walked down the mountainside one after the other, the occasional
cry from a child or a gull wheeling above was the only break in an otherwise deafening silence. The land
now smelled just like the destroyed beach, all that salt seeping into the farmlands. All around were
household items: teapots, kettles, toasters, chairs and computers. Every one of them was oozing with
sea-water, saturated and broken. Soon enough I heard quite distant calls from a rescue team. I wasn’t
sure what was happening although I knew I was safe. But one thing dawned on me, the thought of my
home.
Shawn Jody (9 years)
Amritha (12 years)
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Ashmi Chatterjee (6 years)
Nupur Nandi
UK Hindu Cultural Association
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Aritro Dhar (12 years)
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Creative Contributions
A Silent Killer
Arin Ghosh (12 years)
Homelessness is real! One of the 5 basic necessities of a human being is shelter, and sadly, deprivation
of the same is on the rise. Dearth of affordable housing, scarcity of jobs, poverty, mental illness and a
lack of associated services, substance abuse are some of the common causes for rough living.
You could be thinking, "But it's simple, just ask the government to put them in Government Housing?"
I hate to break it to you, but it isn't that simple. These housings are already beginning to fill up due to
the large number of individuals living off the streets. FAST!
“I have epilepsy from a brain injury, when I was brutally beaten up in Newcastle, therefore I can't work
easily,” a homeless man revealed in an BBC News interview. ” I have a court case pending; after my
sister died, one of the local churches had me locked up, which complicates things further. I just hope I
don't get arrested.” Colds, Injuries, HIV/AIDS, Drug Dependency, Mental Illness, Skin Diseases, and
Cardio-Respiratory Diseases, in addition to depression and rage are some of the problems homeless
people go through.
But what’s worse is that, once you’re on the streets, it's tricky to get off.
However, there are some simple ways through which we can help, such as volunteering our time at
shelters to assist in the making of meals. It may be a small gesture, but every little bit counts.
Hygiene is often compromised when without a house. So, donating clean clothes and perhaps some
unused toiletries can go a long way to help them! More ways to assist on a smaller scale could include
offering sandwiches, warm drinks during cold nights and a couple of blankets would be an instant spirit
lifter. A bit of cash would help them immensely too!
Lastly, a cheerful smile can always do wonders :)
As we usher into the festive season, let’s pray to Goddess Durga for the wellbeing of all. May people feel
more connected and cared for!
Zara Gupta (6 years)
Raayna (6 years)
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ALEXANDRA AV, RAYNERS LANE, HARROW, HA2 9EF
383
| 020 8868 4317
WWW.POSTOLONDON.COM
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A U T H E N T I C I N D I A N C U I S I N
C a l c u t t a i n s p i r e d
E
D I N E - I N , D E L I V E R I E S , P A R T I E S , C A T E R I N G
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Tribute to Satyajit Ray by Dr. Joyanto Choudhury
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Creative Contributions
White Lilies
Subrata Roy
Sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight……..four, three. A rumbling of tyres and the bus came into sight. It braked
with a jolt, raising a cloud of dust all around. I covered my face with my hands and peered through them
at the door. One by one the boys and girls jumped out of the bus, glad that the day was over. I waved as
Lucy emerged. She looked at me and her face lit up in a smile. As she came towards me, I held out my
hand for her bag. She used to protest earlier but not anymore. I swung the bag over my shoulder, feeling
the weight of the books. She slipped her hand in mine and we walked down the road, Lucy chattering
away all the way.
It had been a long day for her, and many things had happened at school. Somebody had pulled her hair
during the morning assembly, the teacher's chair was hidden in a corner in the Maths class, two of her
best friends had kept a secret from her and therefore no longer qualified to be her best friends. I would
ask a question here and there but mostly listened. From time to time, she would ask me a question to
make sure I was paying attention. For me, listening to her voice was enough, it filled my heart with
joy. But over time, I had learned to respond at the appropriate moments. At the end of the road, we
would have to part ways and would stand there gossiping, as hordes of school children brushed past us.
Finally, the road would become deserted and we would turn towards our houses.
The memories of school were still fresh in my mind. They weren't nice. I struggled at almost everything
that was taught there. The Maths class was a nightmare for me. I would try to hide behind my desk,
trying to disappear from the piercing gaze of the teacher. But she would invariably pick up on me,
making me an example for the class. The only thing I looked forward to was the Art class. Here, I
could let my mind roam free and paint in the colours I liked. Despite my efforts, I hardly got any
encouragement from the teacher. “All this is fine,” he would say. “But you need to be good at Maths to do
anything in life.” It was in the Art class that I met Lucy. She studied in the same form but in a different
section. Sometimes Art classes would be conducted jointly with other groups and during one of those
occasions, I found myself sitting next to her. I had finished sketching the forest when I looked at her
sheet. She hadn't even started. She looked at me and smiled and said softly “I have no idea what to do,
can you help me please?” This was the first time that anybody in the school had asked me for help. We
quickly exchanged our sheets and I furiously worked on her sheet, just in time to submit to the teacher.
The teacher looked at her sheet and then at her, surprised to see so much progress. I put a finger to my
lips, as she looked at me nervously. The teacher let her go and I heaved a sigh of relief.
I saw her again in the evening bus and she waited for me as I got down at the bus stand. I smiled
and started walking with her. She had moved into the school recently. Her father was in the Army,
a transferable job and this was supposed to be his last transfer. Her mother was a housewife but had
more engagements than her father. She had a younger brother, who was not old enough to go to school.
She stopped and looked at me. “You are not telling me anything about yourself,” she said. I stammered
a few facts about myself, that my father was an accountant and my mother worked in the local library.
I was the only child of my parents and had been in the school since...I stopped, and she looked at me. I
tried to hide my tears and looked away. She put her hand on my shoulder. “Don't worry about school, I
find it hard too. You are so good at painting, I wish I could be like you,” she said gently. “Now let’s talk
about something else.” As we parted ways at the end of the road, I walked towards my home, happy and
proud of myself after a long time. Meanwhile, my parents were getting increasingly worried about my
performance at school. I could hear them in their room talking about me late into the night. My ordeal at
school continued unabated, I was struggling to cope with the pressure. The only thing I looked forward
to was the journey back home. I would rush out of the class room at the sound of the closing bell. My
eyes strained for Lucy as she made her way to the bus. We would sit next to each other and she would
talk about the day's events in the school. I would listen to her and wonder how much she enjoyed school.
Lucy was a sincere student and during exams, she would take out her notes and study on the way
home. I was just happy to be with her and would hold her bag in my lap as she prepared for her exams.
Sometimes, she would try to explain topics to me. I didn't want to disappoint her, so I pretended to
understand her and distracted her attention whenever she wanted to ask me a question about it. Her
mother baked well, and she would get cakes and cookies for school. She would save some for me and
UK Hindu Cultural Association
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would dig them out from her bag on the bus. I liked the coffee and walnut cakes a lot and she would ask
her mother for a large portion on those days.
On Fridays, Lucy was allowed to return home late. We would head over to the lake, which was a short
walk from the bus stand. Summer was the season of lilies and a carpet of white lilies adorned the
periphery of the lake. We would sit there feeding the ducks with the crumbs of cake from her box. She
told me about the places she had visited with her father. She had even been in a fighter jet - it was a
scary experience. I squeezed her hand, glad that she was there with me now.
The exams had been over a week, when my parents received a call from the headmaster. I saw them
go out with tensed expressions. I was in my room when they returned home. My father came to see me.
“Your mother is not feeling well, she is resting in her room,” he said. He sat beside me and explained
what the Headmaster had said. I was a child with special needs and this school was not right for me. I
will need to go to a special school for a few hours every morning. It was in the neighbouring town. “But
don't worry,” he said. “Our driver will drop you and pick you up every day.” That night, I lay awake in
bed. It was a relief not to go to school but Lucy...I fell asleep exhausted.
The next day, I stayed at home. In the evening, I made my way to the bus stop. As Lucy got down, she
spotted me and ran towards me. “Where were you? Why didn't you come to school? I have some cookies
in my bag.” She looked at my face and stopped. We walked slowly home, her hand in mine. For once, she
was silent. We didn't speak as we parted ways at the corner. I walked home, with a heavy heart.
It had now become a routine. I would be back from my school in the afternoon and would wait eagerly for
the clock to turn five. I would head out towards the bus stand and count the last sixty seconds to when
the bus would arrive. Years passed by and Lucy was now in the university in Nice. She would write
to me from there and I would read her letters every night. She had been to the Alps with her friends.
It was beautiful; She had bought a cap for me from the local market there. She had learnt to play the
piano. And yes, she was good at it. Good that they didn't have any painting classes at the university.
Her professors were not as nice as her school teachers. They would take a lecture and then sit for hours
in their offices, doing nothing.
I waited for her vacation, when she would be home. We would go to the lake or for a walk in the nearby
forests. It was a cloudy evening during her summer break, when she said to me softly, “You know, I am
getting married. I met him at the annual ball in my university. He works in the Royal Air Force and
lives in Edinburgh.” I looked at her and nodded in understanding. She took my hand and said, “But I
will write to you. You need to write as well so that I know that you are well and taking care of yourself.”
I nodded in silence, too overwhelmed to say anything.
A month later she got married. I went to see her off at the station. From a distance, I could see her
hugging her parents and her brother, who had now grown into a tall boy. She looked at me over her
brother's shoulders. Our eyes met and she quickly turned away to pick up her suitcase. I raised my hand
to wave at her but held it back half way through. I went over to the lake that day, unable to stop the
hot tears rolling down my cheeks. The lilies were beginning to wither away, their petals strewn on the
waters of the lake.
A year passed by and Lucy had not written to me. I had started to teach children painting at a nearby
school. I loved being with them, helping them give expressions to their ideas and feelings. Back at
home, I would be all by myself in my room, looking out for the postman. But it would only be letters
from the school or parents of my students. I tried to keep myself happy, reading Lucy's letters from the
university over and over again.
One day, our neighbours Mr and Mrs Johnson came home for dinner. They sat in the living room talking
about how people's lives had changed so much in our town. I caught Mrs Johnson telling my mother.
“Nowadays, marriage is such a gamble. You know Major Smith's daughter, Lucy?” “Oh yes,” replied my
mother. “Didn't she get married last year?” “Yes,” said Mrs Johnson in a hushed tone, “but she is back
now. It didn’t work out with the boy. She suffered in silence for a year but couldn’t take it anymore and
came back to her parents yesterday.” The conversation went on. But my heart was racing. It was six in
the evening; sunset was still an hour away. I stepped out on the street and started walking.
I found her by the lake. She did not look up as I slid next to her. The ducks were at a distance, wading
in the still waters of the lake. The lilies had gone, it would be a year before they bloomed again. We sat
there silently watching the sun set, her head resting on my shoulders.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
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Diyasha Mukherjee (9 years)
Sharayu Kugoankar
Anushka (7 years)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
Abhika Joshi (6 years)
60
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Taneesha Saha (8 years)
Namita Satoskar
Debaditya Chatterjee
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
Barinder Kaur
61
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Ashmi Das (11 years)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
62
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Creative Contributions
মন পলাশের পদাবলী
পৌলোমী দাস
যকোপাইর়ে পাশ কদর়ে দূরে যেোনাঝু ড়ির বনের আড়ালে িোকর়ে েোরছি যতোমার গাড়ি আর আমি তাককর়ে আছি সেই গাড়ির দিকে,দূরে চলে
যাও়েো আগেই ঝাপসা ির়ে গেল সবকিছু ।
‘তু মি’ মানে আমার জমীেরন সেই কবি! যেোনাঝু ড়ির গাছের সবুজ হলুদ ছো়েো়ে ঢাকা আমাদের এই বাড়ি, বাড়ি যছোরিো তবে বছরের সবটা
সম়ে জুড়ে থাকে নানা মানুষের আনোরেোনা। আমার সম্পর্কে আর নতু ন করে কি বলি, েরডো ির়ে ওঠা বাবু মানে আমার দাদুর কাছে, পড়াশোনা
আর হল কই!
শীতের শেষে যদোলের ঠিক আগে এই বাড়ির চারপাশে এক অন্য মাদকতা লেগে েো়ে। রঙ লাগে নোমী মনে,যচোখে লাগে কাজল, আর মনে
ের়ে চলে সুপ্ তিরতির করে ভোরলোবাসার নমীল নদমী ধারা। আর গাছে গাছে জাগে রাঙা আবেশ, প্রকৃতি যেন রঙ ঢেলে যদ়ে যেোনাঝু ড়ির
মাঝের এই বাড়িটাকে। সারা বছর ধরে েোকজর়ে গুছছর়ে রাখার ঋণ সুদে আসলে যেন শোধ করে যদ়ে প্রকৃতি। তখন যেমন তার রূপ তেমন
তার অহংকার। সূর্যের লাল রঙ, পূর্ণিমার রূরপোলি রাত সবাইকে টেক্ো যদ়ে এই যেোনাঝু ড়ি, পলাশের বন, মন ও বুঝি!
এমনই একদিন বিকেলের পড়ন্ত সূর্যের সাথে লাল ধূরলো উছডর়ে কদর়ে পলাশের বনে আসল – ‘মন পলাশের পদাবলমী’-র যদোসর। এক গাল
দাড়ি উেরকো খুেরকো চু ল, েরগে কি সব কাগজপরি, বই খাতার রাশি রাশি পাহাড়! এমন মানুষ এখানে আগে দেখিনি । কত সুন্দর পুরুষ দেখে
অভ্যস্ত আমার এই যচোখ , এই বাড়িতে কত সম্পর্কে র ভাঙা গড়ার খেলাই শুধু দেখেছি।
যতোমার কাজ বলতে দিন নেই রাত নেই কেবল লিখতে থাকা, আর ওই যেোনাঝু ড়ির বনে আরাম কেদোো়ে শুর়ে বসে থাকা। একদিন এই
সাঁওতালমী যমর়েরকই তু মি বললে
-‘ পূর্ণিমো়েো রূরপোলমী আরলোতে অজর়ে ধারে যাবে?’
‘পাগল নাকি!’ মনে মনে ভাবলাম।
কিন্তু না বলা যাবে না, মো়েো কি পড়েনি তখন, যতোমার ওই যচোখের দিকে তাককর়ে!
যজোনাকির আরলো আর চাঁদের মো়েো, কি জানি কি ছিল সেই মুহূ র্ত গুরলোতে, সারাটা পথ জুড়ে চলল যতোমার কত শত কবিতা েন্তল্প অনুরণন…।
তারপর অজর়ে ধারে যখন যপৌঁছলাম চাঁদ তখন মাঝাকাশে,সমর়ে যখ়েোল আর কার আছে, আমি শুধু দেখেছিলাম অজর়ে জলে রূরপোলমী
চাঁদের আরলোর দিকে তাকোরনো যতোমার সেই মো়েোম়ে মুখ।
তারপরের দিন বিকেলে তু মি যখন কাছে ডেকে শোনালে যতোমার নতু ন বইর়ে পাণ্ু লিপি, আমি তাককর়ে ছিলাম যতোমার সেই লিোন্ত মুখের
দিকে, আর পড়ন্ত সূর্যের আভা যেন কি যেোপনে যতোমো়ে ছু ঁ র়ে আমার বেরঙিন জমীেন োছঙর়ে তু লল , আমার গালের লাল আভা জানি যতোমার
যচোখ এছডর়ে গেছে, পড়ার যতো কথাও ন়ে, আমি কেবল শুনেছিলাম যতোমার স্বরের ওঠানামা, বুঝেছিলাম এক ছন্নছাড়া জমীেন কিভাবে হৃদ়ে
হরণ করতে পারে!
যতোমার লেখা েন্তল্প পাণ্ু লিপি শোনার পশ্রোতা এই আমি কখন যেন নিজেকে িোকর়ে ফেলেছিলাম, েকবিত ফিরল যতোমার ডাকে যখন বললে
–
‘বইটার নাম রাখলাম মন পলাশের পদাবলমী’
সেদিন েরন্যুরত ফিরে গেলে তু মি আর যদোলের আগেই যেন সব রঙ িোকর়ে নিঃস্ব ির়ে গেল এই যেোনাঝু ড়ি লাল পলাশের মন বন ,
যতোমার ফেলে যাও়েো ঘরে খু ঁজে পেলাম যতোমার রেখে যাও়েো বইটি, হাতে তু লে নিলাম আর যচোখের জলে ভেসে যেতে লাগল –
‘রবিঠাকু রের গীতবিতান’-
Pradeepika Sharma Sonika Singh Kiyara Chopra
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
63
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Creative Contributions
God
Shilpi Aggarwal
What is God?
Very often my little one questions,
And asks me what is God?
And that makes me think
Without a blink….
Is it a superpower, is it a belief or faith?
A superhuman being or a spirit we worship
A Deity that has powers over nature and human fortunes,
Or simply science?
Whatever it is, it’s the form of energy,
That’s a mystery,
that’s created this universe including you and me!
It’s the energy and vibes that’s all around us
It’s positive faith that helps us focus,
Both in sorrow and in pain,
Or when you vow that all will not be in vain!
It’s an enigma, it’s so pure,
It has its magic powers that help you cure.
Its effects are strong and huge,
It’s our safe place to go to, our refuge!
It’s our inner feelings that resides within us
It’s the energy that makes us strong or sometimes weak,
It’s what makes us human beings!!
But if you underestimate this energy or mess,
It can easily cause you distress!
It has so many forms,
For different people, it’s different norms…
From Kali ma to Rama and Sita
From Allah to Jesus to Ahura Mazda
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It has countless names
and yet it’s all the same!
For some it’s a concept
Like Karma and Nirvana,
Others think it’s pure science
Or the laws of Nature and its reliance.
Whatever it is, it’s truly divine.
It brings blessings like the sunshine,
It guides us to inner peace,
And self-control is released.
For most, fear to commit a sin,
And this helps humanity win!
So, here’s me mesmerised by the Deity,
God, nature, it’s creation and its beauty.
I stand here to salute this power,
And offer my prayers along with some flowers.
AVM Madhusudan Banerjee
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
Shalini Mathur
65
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Sanjana Rao
Aadya Karmokar
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
Pradeepika Sharma
66
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Creative Contributions
Happiness
Happiness feels like a golden light that is flowing through my veins!
It sounds like a million nightingales are tweeting in a flowery meadow.
It smells like almond cake in the oven and sweet and salty popcorn.
It looks like pink and golden bubbles floating in the air while the sun rises in the horizon.
Happiness!!!!
By Aadya Karmokar (8 years)
Loneliness
Loneliness feels like my heart is heavy with miserable tears.
It sounds like a million tons of nothing that has broken into my mind.
It smells of greed, ungratefulness and rottenness
It tastes bitter and unpleasant.
It looks abandoned, miserable and dark.
Loneliness.
By Aadya Karmokar (8 years)
Aneeka Rutva(7 years) Nakshatra (8 years)
Banita Saha (Embroidery)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
Neha Zaru
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Photography Corner
Dr. Sanjay Basu
Dr. Sanjay Basu
Dr. Sanjay Basu
Dr. Sanjay Basu
Dr. Sanjay Basu
Saanvi Shenai
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
68
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Creative Contributions
“What’s in a name?”
Atrayee Bandyopadhyay
Well, I say, everything!
Now that I’ve started on a note of contradicting the “Bard of Avon”, let me begin by reassuring that
I’m not being tendentious but simply enkindling some food for thought! Having lived in three different
continents and four countries, one of the most common experiences has been the response people have
towards my name!
In almost two and a half decades in Kolkata, very few Bengalis have ever accurately enounced my name
“Atrayee” and unsurprisingly, a dwindling minority has ever spelled it right! Needless to mention, my
expectations from people outside my community were infinitesimal, and when we moved to LA, from the
immigration officer at the airport to my neighbours at Thousand Oaks, I responded to any vibrations
that had “A” “T” and “Raaaye”!! On a crispy Californian morning, my gynaecologist, seemingly tired
after writing “Atrayee Bandyopadhyay” had light-heartedly joked that “though I’m all for feminism,
may I suggest you consider using your husband’s last name, as it would make life easier for us!” Must
I confess, that I’ve often thought about the same, replacing “Bandyopadhyay” with an effortless “Roy”
would indeed be a painless solution! However, the staunch liberal rationalist in me is unrelenting!
Over the years I’ve noticed that though South Asians often make their names simpler and more
acceptable for their westerner friends, Europeans, Russians and Americans have no such predicaments!
The world would spare no effort to get the “Djokovic” or “Mkheidze” right, nor would any “Szilagyi” ever
attempt to oversimplify their identities to suit the needs of others! However, there are examples galore
of how “Rabindra” becomes “Rob”, a “Naicker” a “Nick” and “Jayawardena” a “Jay”! Why do we, the
most diversified race, have this insatiable desire to bend over backwards for acceptance and inclusion
instead of proudly owning the quintessence of our identity? Is it the same colonial hangover behind our
fascination with the Caucasian skin colour or insecurities that drive us to briskly denounce our mother
tongue and wholeheartedly flaunt a foreign language as our own? To each his/her own and I try not
to judge, but with age I find myself increasingly undaunted by the sighs, eye-rolling and banters as I
patiently wait at every entry made, official or leisure!
Moreover, as we raise our children in a land far away from their roots, I find it unquestionably imperative
that they recognise and embrace the personal, cultural and historical connection their “names” represent!
Jiya Sil Verma (7 years)
Janaki Desai
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
69
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Creative Contributions
জন্মভূ মির টান
শৈশব আজও ডাকে
়েরন - স্বপনে - জাগরণে ।
শহুরে যকোলাহল থেমে
নিঃস্তব্ধ ঘুমের দেশ ---
মনের আঙিনো়ে দাঁছডর়ে
আমার দুরন্ত শৈশব ।
মনে পড়ে সবুজ যিোমটা পরা
আমার জন্মভূ মি
আম - জাম - কাঁঠালের আরলোছো়েো
যেন লাজে রাঙা নববধূর হাসি ।
ছু টির দিনে ছিপ হাতে
শান্ত চূ র্ণি নদমী পাড়ে ,
উড়ন্ত ফড়িং- এর পিছু ধাও়েো
শিশির ভেজা সকালে ।
পাঠশালো়ে হেডপন্ডিতের রাশভারি মুখ
বেত - শাসন - গর্জ ন
ো়েেোেুদের দালান সুর ভাঁজে
ভাদুরে গল্প আর গান ।
েোর়েোস্কোপে মুখ রেখে ঘুরন্ত ছো়েোছবি
আজও ভেসে আসে --
মোর়ে হাতে উনুনে যফোলা রুটির েন্ ।
দমীপ্র দুপুরে লাটাইর়ে সুরতোর টানে
যভোকাট্ো উল্োে !
মন ছু ঁ র়ে েো়ে ---
শিউলি যফোটা যভোরে
মুখুরজ্যেদের চন্ডমীমন্ডপে যদেমী দুর্গার যচোখে
শেষ তু লির টান ।
আমার িোোরনো শৈশব জলছবির মরতো ফু টে ওঠে ---
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Creative Contributions
স্ৃকত পফ্রম কেন্দু কেন্দু জল জমে
মাটি নিরালো়ে ডাক কদর়ে েো়ে
জননমী , জন্মভূ মি কি সত্যিই কলিশে !
েোক্রেক যকোলাহল এখানে অহরহ
হাতের মুরঠো়ে কেশ্বোক়েত পৃসেেমী ,
পোরটে গেছে মানুষ
নতু ন ির়েরছ আইডেন্টিটি ।
একই আকাশ একই চাঁদ
তবু , যজযুোৎস্ো কত পার্থক্য
সেই অন্কার রাতের ।
যভৌরেোলিক কাঁটাতার ছিঁড়ে
বাস্তব থেকে স্ৃকত উড়ান ,
পেোেমী ির়ে নমীরে - নিভৃতে
আজও কাঁদো়ে জন্মভূ মির টান ।
যেোমা দে
যকোলকাতা, ভারত
Deepti Jain
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Registered Uk Charity No. 1069932
Suchismita Mukherjee
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Recipes to Try this Festive Season
Korai Chicken
Tanuj Banerjee
This has been pretty close to my heart as its my Ma’s recipe and the most important part of this was the
Bengali Korai a.k.a the thick bottomed iron vessels with round ear looking hands which you can never
hold without a tong or the heavy sharashi !! This was her quick last minute chicken recipe when you
have uninvited or invited guests for dinner , lunch or just drinks .
Ingredients:
• Chicken 750 gms
• Garlic 6 pods ( grated or finely chopped)
• Tomatoes 3 large
• Green Chillies ( as per your tongue tolerance )
• Green Pepper long thin sliced (optional for garnishing )
• Ghee (as per your diet tolerance )
• White Oil (be open minded )
Prep time : 10 mins
Cooking time : 15 mins
Method of cooking:
• Heat the “ korai “
• Add white oil / vegetable oil (mustard oil not preferred)
• Add garlic
• Add Chicken (works best with thigh fillets or with the bone )
• Add Salt to taste
• Fry on high flame - 7 mins
• Once chicken seems lightly sautéed add Tomatoes (chop them please )
• Fry for 5 mins
• Add Green Chilly or some chilly powder as per your taste bud / tolerance. I personally think green
chillies are more healthy .
• Cover and cook on low flame till chicken is cooked and gravy is reduced to a kosha; meaning dryish
gravy standard.
• Add 1 tbsp ghee before finish ( optional )
• Add green pepper ,1 min before finish ( optional)
Goes best with chapati, paratha or white pulao.
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Ingredients:
• 1 Black Aubergine (big)
• 1 Medium Brown Onion
• 2 tbsp Poppy Seeds/ Posto
• 1 tsp Sesame Seeds
• 2 Green Chillies
• 1tbsp Yogurt
• 1 Tomato
• 1 tbsp Coriander Leaves
• 4 tbsp Mustard Oil for frying the aubergine
• 2 tbsp Mustard Oil for the curry
• 1/2 tsp Onion Seeds(Kalo Jeere)
• 1tsp Turmeric
• 1tsp Cumin Powder
• 1tsp Coriander Powder
• 1tsp Garam Masala Powder
• 1tsp Sugar
• Salt to taste
Method of cooking:
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Recipes to Try this Festive Season
Begun/Aubergine Posto
Debashree Chatterjee
Soak poppy seeds/posto in luke warm water for 10min. Make a coarse paste of the poppy seeds, sesame
seeds, green chilli and salt and keep it aside.
Cut rectangular slices of aubergine/begun, fry them in little mustard oil and keep it aside. Do not fry
them all in one go - fry them in small batches.
Slice the onion, slit the green chilli , chop the tomato into small pieces, beat the yogurt in a small bowl,
chop the coriander leaves. Pour mustard oil in a pan, add onion seeds (kalo jeere), saute it for few
seconds then add sliced onions. Fry the onions until it turns golden brown then add chopped tomatoes,
green chilli, cook the tomatoes for 2 - 3 min then add turmeric, cumin powder, corainder powder & salt.
Cook them for few minutes then add the poppy and sesame paste and a little water. Mix all the things
together and cook them for few minutes then add the fried aubergine. Stir them all together and let it
cook for few min. Stir it occasionally. When you see some oil oozing out from the sides and the masala
turns brownish then the dish is ready.
This dish is best served with paratha or roti.
Hope you all try it.
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Ingredients :
• Goat Mutton Paya (4)
• 1 medium sized chopped onion
• 1 medium sized chopped tomato
• 2 - 3 cloves
• 2 - 3 green cardamom
• 2 - 3 black peppercorns
• 2 sticks of cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tbsp yoghurt
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• Ghee and oil as per preference.
• Salt as per taste
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Recipes to Try this Festive Season
Mutton Paya (Goat Mutton Trotters)
Tarannum Fakih
For Tadka
• 3 - 4 Garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp Ghee
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
Method of cooking
Pressure cook paya/trotters with cloves, green cardamom, black peppercorns and cinnamon. Add enough
water and salt as per taste. Mostly after 8-10 whistles the paya will be done.
To make the masala heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and sauté. Add onions and sauté them nicely
till they turn golden brown. Add tomatoes and cook them till totally cooked. At this stage add salt and
yoghurt and cook properly. Add ginger garlic paste and sauté. Add all dry spices and cook the masala
properly.
Now lets check paya in pressure cooker. Let the pressure totally release from cooker. Open and check
if paya is cooked properly. Add cooked masala to the paya. Add water and let this simmer on medium
heat till the gravy comes to a nice boil.
Tadka
For tadka first dry roast garlic this will make the tadka aromatic. Add ghee and cumin seeds. Add
garam masala and red chilli powder. Immediately add tadka to your gravy. Enjoy this mutton paya with
some naan.
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Ingredients:
• Almond – 1small bowl
• Cashew – 1small bowl
• Pista- ¼ bowl
• Sugar – 1 bowl
Method of cooking:
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Recipes to Try this Festive Season
Dry Fruit Chikki | Homemade Sweet | Crunchy
Pradnya Ashish Shah
• Grease the kitchen platform or back side of a steel plate.
• Slices almond and cashew in 2 pieces and Pista in small slices
• Take a kadai, add 1 small blow of sugar. Stir the sugar on low flame till it melts. Keep the flame low
all time or else it may burn out.
• Once the sugar melts add 1 small blow of sliced almond and cashew into the sugar syrup and stir
for 2-3mins.
• Remove the mixture on the greased kitchen platform or greased back side of a steel plate & garnish
the mixture with Pista.
• Now quickly spread the Dry fruit mixture with help of wooden spoon and use the rolling pin to
spread the mixture evenly so that we can make the pieces of the chikki properly. Before the chikki
mixture cools down make the pieces with the help of a pizza cutter.
• Your yummy healthy Dry fruit chikki is ready to eat. It is quick & easy to make.
• Taste & look same like the one you get in market.
Health Benefits:
A serving of healthy rich Dry fruit chikki contains 80cal, 1.5g protein, 9.6g carbohydrates, and 0.1g
fiber.
It is safe for a diabetic person to have 1 piece of this chikki 2 times a week. You can use sugar free sugar
as well. It is easier to make kids eat Dry fruit as it looks colourful and will tempt even you to eat more.
Tips: You can watch the recipe video on my you tube channel: Pradnya’s star kitchen.
You tube link-----: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnUesSxhsziEsch_56cIHRA
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Recipes to Try this Festive Season
KitchnKraft’s JCC Junior Culinary Club
Komal Pungaliya
Inspired from the Gurukul ways of learning, KitchnKraft’s Junior Culinary Club (JCC) is an online
cooking program aimed to harness confidence, creativity and positive social values in kids under the
guidance of highly skilled chefs/instructors. Kids from across the globe can become a member of the
club. Kindly get in touch with us for details.
Here’s sharing a moist and scrumptious chocolate cake recipe:
Method of cooking:
1. Preheat ove at 180 degrees for 10mins.
2. Sieve 2 cups all purpose flour, 3/4th cup cocoa powder, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder and
1 tsp salt.
3. In another bowl mix 1+3/4th granulated sugar with 1/4th cup oil, 1/4th melted butter and ½ cup
Greek yogurt.
4. Add 1 cup milk and the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well incorporated.
5. Add 2 tsp vinegar and do not over-mix.
6. Lastly add 3/4th cup hot water and mix until everything is well combined.
7. Pour the batter in a cake tin and bake for about 35-40mins at 160 degrees.
Chocolate Ganache Frosting: Cut 150g dark chocolate into fine pieces. Heat 200 ml fresh cream on gas
while continuously stirring. Pour this hot cream over chocolate and mix until it becomes an even colour.
komal@pungaliya.com
Contact : +91 888 88 46008
Follow us on Instagram.com/kitchnkraft
facebook.com/kitchnkraft
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2021
Anika Maheshwari Barindar Kaur Nupur Nandi Deepti Jain
Shalini Mathur Shalini Mathur Shalini Mathur Shalini Mathur
Gaurav Singh
Radhika Mathur
Deekshita Sure
Deepali Maheshwari
Raina Sahoo Dipti Jain Harshit Gupta Jisha Guha
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