UKHCA 2023 - Annual Brochure
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Annual Brochure
For donations please pay to: Sort Code:20-06-72 Account No:50740896
Account Name: United Kingdom Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No: 1069932
Scan the QR code to be part of our journey and become a member of the UKHCA family
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Table of Contents
Durga Puja 2023 Schedule and Arrangements............................................................................................................................. 4
Editorial Message.......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
UKHCA Events Calendar 2023 -24.............................................................................................................................................. 8
UKHCA Executive Committee Introductions............................................................................................................................... 9
Message from First Time Attendees of UKHCA Durga Puja...................................................................................................... 10
Thank You - You will be missed.................................................................................................................................................... 11
President’s Note............................................................................................................................................................................. 12
General Secretary’s Note............................................................................................................................................................... 14
Treasurer’s Note............................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Our Donors for 2022 - 23............................................................................................................................................................... 17
Interim Summary Of Accounts 2022 - 23..................................................................................................................................... 18
Glimpses of our events in 2022 - 23.............................................................................................................................................. 20-25
Musings And Marvels
Not just a homecoming ~ Dr. Dibyendu Datta.............................................................................................................................. 26
A poetry in the making ~ Dr. Amitav Dutta.................................................................................................................................. 26
বাংলা বার্্তা
জীবন্্ত প্্রত্তমার সম্মান ~ জু ঁ ই ভট্টাচটার্্য্্য...................................................................................................................................................
যমালয়ে অমূল্যবাবু ~ডটাঃ শ্রাবণী চক্রবর্তী..................................................................................................................................................... 29
Dialogue Diaries
London’s First Saree Walkathon 2023 ~ Foreword by Paushali De Roy and interview of Dr. Dipti Jain by Rama Karmokar 31
Surviving - A single Indian woman’s battle against prejudice and betrayal ~ Interview of Dr. Sneh Lata Mathur by Sumita
Mukherjee
Passport Pursuits
Visit to Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir ~ Suman (Tim) and Mousumi Das...................................................................................... 37
Uros - The eternally Floating Islands on Lake Titicaca ~ Dr. Sonali Guha.............................................................................. 41
Unleashing the Power Within: A journey of Transformation ~ Abha Sandhil........................................................................... 42
kids Kronicles
The Last Voyage ~ Diyasha Mukherjee........................................................................................................................................ 44
Travis’ Zoo ~ Aadya P. Karmokar................................................................................................................................................. 44
The path of my river ~ Anika Maheshwari.................................................................................................................................... 46
Back Home ~ Debaditya Kumar Chatterjee................................................................................................................................... 46
Water Walk ~ Prisha Rastogi........................................................................................................................................................ 48
Durga kills Mahishasura ~ Anika Challa................................................................................................................................... 48
Canvas Creations
Painting by Dr. Joyanto Kumar Choudhury................................................................................................................................. 50
Painting by Ashmi Das, Ashmi Chatterjee & Debanjona Chatterjee........................................................................................... 51
Painting by Abhika Joshi, Ashmi Chatterjee & Param Karmokar.............................................................................................. 52
Painting by Akshatha Mhatre, Aadya Karmokar & Raayna Sachdev........................................................................................ 53
FRAME ‘N’ Focus
Photography by Dr. Sanjoy Basu, Deepali Maheshwari & Anika Maheshwari.......................................................................... 54
Khana Khazana
Green Chilli Pickle ~ Sumita Mukherjee....................................................................................................................................... 56
Daal Gosht ~ Debesh Mukherjee..................................................................................................................................................... 58
28
35
UK Hindu Cultural Association
We are wholly reliant on the kind donations from all of you to be able
www.ukhca.community
to organise our pujas and events. ukhca.info@gmail.com
Scan the QR code to donate and support our efforts
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
3
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
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Durga Puja 2023 Schedule and Arrangements
We will be celebrating our Durga Puja in 2023 over 3 and a half days between
21st October 2023 - 24th October 2023
at Swanley Town Hall, Alexandra Suite, St. Mary’s Road, Swanley BR8 7BU
Durga Puja 2023 Programme
দূর্্য্টা পূজটার নির্্য্ন্্ট
Saturday
21 st October 2023
Maha Sasthi
11AM to 1PM
Bodhon | Kalparambha | Sasthi Puja
| Amantran | Adhibas | Pushpanjali |
Bhog|Prosad Bitoron | Arati
Saturday
21 st October 2023
Maha Saptami
5PM to 8PM
Saptami Puja | Nabapatrika Snan
|Maha Snan|Pushpanjali | Bhog |
Prosad Bitoron | Arati
Sunday
22 nd October 2023
Maha Ashtami
11AM to 1PM
5PM to 8PM
Ashtami Puja | Astra Puja|
Pushpanjali |Bhog | Prosad Bitoron |
Arati
Sandhi Puja | Pushpanjali |Dipannita
| Prosad Bitoron |Arati
Monday
23 rd October 2023
Maha Nabami
11AM to 1PM
5PM to 8PM
Nabami Puja | Pushpanjali |Bhog |
Bolidan| Prosad Bitoron |Arati
Homa | Pushpanjali | Prosad Bitoron
| Arati
Tuesday
24 th October 2023
Bijoya Dashami
11AM to 2PM
Dashami Puja | Pushpanjali | Dadhi
Karma |Prosad Bitoron | Arati |
Bishorjon | Sindoor Khela
Priest: Debanjan Mukherjee
Lunch and dinner served everyday after puja. Food servicing will be prioritised for our event donors
on first come, first served basis. You can donate for Durga Puja at: https://ukhca.community/donate/
Our Durga Puja 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 those living in Bexley, Bexleyheath, Bromley, Dartford, Orpington,
Eltham, Greenwich, Catford and adjoining areas without joining any motorways.
Directions from Kent: Attendees 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
arrangements when you arrive at the reception. On-street parking is also available in the immediate
vicinity after 6:30PM (Monday to Saturday) and all day Sunday.
Train: Swanley railway station is 4 minutes walk away with frequent services from London and Kent.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
4
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
5
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Editorial Message
Here we are again, with a brand new edition of our UKHCA Brochure 2023! In the past three years, the
brochure has been revolutionized to focus on drawing out creative content from within our community
and friends.
Durga Puja is an intrinsic part of Bengali culture. UKHCA has been celebrating Durga Puja for the past
11 years to highlight Bengali culture in the Kent community. The production of an annual brochure
has been an integral part of our celebrations. This brochure enables us to showcase the cultural events
undertaken in the past year and spread awareness and raise the profile of our association within the
UK community. Like every year, our team has worked hard to not only collect advertisements for the
brochure, but also to encourage and enthuse everyone in our UKHCA family to be a part of this creative
production by making their active contributions.
With Maa Durga’s blessings, we started our work this year in the month of April 2023. From the very
beginning, we meaningfully divided our brochure team to keep focus on the two very important parts
of the brochure. One section was purely focussed on collecting and creating quality content whilst the
other section was focussed on collecting the advertisements.
Our motivation for collecting enough advertisements is to support the expenses of printing our brochure
as well as generate some revenue for the execution of our Durga Puja. Our advertisement drive for the
brochure always focuses on reaching out to our UKHCA community and friends. We also reach out to
any new local Kent or UK businesses (small or big) to showcase their businesses to our community as
prospective customers. This year we have 18 businesses, both old and new who have advertised in our
brochure. We are grateful and thank them for their support. I request all our readers to please consider
using the services of our advertisers in whatever way possible.
The highlight of every Brochure is its cover page! For the past three years, we have successfully
encouraged one of our UKHCA extended family members to design the brochure cover. This year, our
thanks to Mrs Suchismita Mukherjee, whose artwork of Maa Durga has been selected as the cover
page for UKHCA Brochure 2023! Many thanks to Dr. Joyanto Choudhury who has contributed a very
bespoke piece of art, influenced by India for the brochure.
Each year we decide on a theme to give some direction to contributors for articles. Our theme this year
was related to a Memorable Holiday! We also encouraged submissions on other interesting topics. So
this year our readers get the opportunity to enjoy a collection of articles and photographs on holidays
and a variety of other topics such as the London Saree Walkathon, delicious recipes and inspirational
interviews of influential people. You will also be delighted to see artwork from children, photographs
and excellent poems by our members.
Last but not the least, the production and curation of a magazine is a result of the hard work of the team
behind it. Myself, Mrs Rama Karmokar as the Brochure Lead would like to thank “Our dream-team” for
all their efforts in encouraging our community members to send articles, to edit them and lastly to find
creative ways to contribute to the brochure themselves.
Listed below are the members of our team who have given up their valuable time and worked tirelessly
to bring the UKHCA 2023 Brochure to fruition!
Article Collection: Rama Karmokar, Suman Das, Paramita Pandit, Anamika Sengupta, Arunima
Saha, Sumita Mukherjee
Editing: Anamika Sengupta, Arunima Saha, Roshmi Kumar
Advertisement Co-ordination: Rama Karmokar, Paramita Pandit, Arunima Saha, Sumita Mukherjee,
Roshmi Kumar
Accounts and Invoicing: Tanuj Banerjee and Suman Das
Production: Debanjan Mukherjee
Please enjoy our compilation and kindly support the businesses featured in our brochure.
Warm Regards
UKHCA Brochure Team
Rama Roshmi Arunima Sumita
Paromita
Anamika
Tanuj
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
Tim
Debanjan
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
7
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UKHCA Events Calendar 2023 - 24
UKHCA Kali Puja
Sunday 12 Nov 2023
Alexandra Suite, Swanley Town Hall, St Mary’s Road,
Swanley BR8 7BU
UKHCA Christmas Party
Sunday 03 Dec 2023
Indian Essence, 176-178 Petts Wood Rd, Petts Wood,
Orpington BR5 1LG
This is a ticketed event. Please keep an eye on our website and social media
channels for the ticket link
UKHCA Saraswati Puja
Sunday 18 Feb 2024
The Olympic, Beechenlea Lane,
Swanley BR8 8DR
UKHCA Holi Milan
March 2024
This is a ticketed event. Please keep an eye on our website and social media
channels for the ticket link
UKHCA AGM and Bengali New Year
Celebration
April 2024
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UKHCA Executive Committee Introductions
Mrs. Krishna Baruah
President
Mr. Debanjan Mukherjee
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
Mrs. Sumita Mukherjee
Assistant Secretary
Mrs. Rama Karmokar
Assistant Secretary
Mrs. Sunanda Sarkar
Lifetime Exco Member
Dr. Saibal Hazra
Lifetime Exco Member
Prof. Bimal Bhaduri
Lifetime Exco Member
Mr. Debashish Sarkar
Exco Member
Mrs. Paramita Pandit
Exco Member
Dr. Roshmi Kumar
Exco Member
Mr. Bhabani Sahoo
Exco Member
Dr. Joyanto Choudhury
Exco Member
Dr. Amitav Dutta
Exco Member
Mrs. Pieu Chaudhuri
Exco Member
Mrs. Arunima Saha
Exco Member
Mrs. Sumona Chatterjee
Exco Member
Dr. Bikramjit Bhattacharjee
Exco Member
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Dr. Dibyendu Datta
Exco Member
Mrs. Rakhee Dutta Gupta
Exco Member
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
Ms. Subarna Sen
Exco Member
ukhca.info@gmail.com
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
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Message from First Time Attendees of UKHCA Durga Puja
Sushanto and Saswati Saha
Sushanto and I have been living in UK for over 3 years and were coping with the fact that living away
from India meant giving up on the joy of celebrating many of our joyful festivals.
Letting go wasn’t easy, still managed to celebrate most of the festivals remotely over
whatsapp with families living miles away. However, being a Bengali, celebrating
Durga pujo remotely was never an option, so, we visited several pandals in and near
London and though was happy to receive the blessings of Ma Durga, the pujo vibe
was completely missing and was more of a transactional affair.
We were then invited by Debanjan Da and Suchismita Di to the UKHCA pujo in
2021, when it reconvened after the pandemic. We had heard a lot about the UKHCA
pujo and its hospitality; however, had kept our expectations to the least based on the
past experiences of Durga pujo in UK.
We stepped into the Swanley hall on Sashti evening with mixed feelings of excitement
and awkwardness of being a stranger. The first glance into the Swanley hall took me
back to the lanes of Kolkata and it took me a while to believe that I was in a pujo in
UK. The pujo vibe was everywhere, from the smell of dhup, to the beautiful divas in saree, the friendly
call outs in Bangla, the queue in front of the phuchka stall and many more.
Though it was our first visit to this pujo, we felt a part of this warm and friendly community in no time
and were glad to volunteer for the food distribution service led by Sanjoy da which made us one of his
favourites in no time.
The brilliant cultural programme by some of the very talented participants was a cherry on the cake.
Looking forward to be a part of UKHCA Pujo again this year.
Sampriti Chakrabarti
My name is Sampriti Chakrabarti. I live in Orpington. Durga puja is an
emotional event for every Bengali. Although in the South East we have
some options to celebrate Durga Puja, I would definitely say that UKHCA
puja is the best one.
I came to know about UK Hindu Cultural Association in 2019. I was
introduced by my friend Jharna Sil Verma. Since then we (me and my
family) and our friends have celebrated every Durga puja with UKHCA.
This year also we are planning to celebrate Durga puja with UKHCA. The
members are very friendly. It feels like home away home during Durga
Puja. We absolutely enjoy every rituals and cultural programs every
time we visit UKHCA. I would like to say thanks to the organisers for
organising such a great event that we don’t at all miss Kolkata’s Durga Puja.
Bala Krishna
I am Bala Krishna, living in Bromley with family for about 13 years now.
We had attended the Durga Puja organised by UKHCA in Swanley, in 2022.
Invited by our friend Jharna Sil.
It was a very well organised event, beautiful idols of Durga ma for darshan,
great cultural programs, amazing prashad and above all, we met some lovely
new people there.
Huge thanks to the organisers for all their efforts in bringing such an uplifting
and devotional/spiritual event for the community.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Thank you - You will be missed
Dr. Tapon Halder
Dr. Tapon Halder decided to step down as the President and Executive Member
pre-maturely in his term and handed over the President duties to Mrs. Krishna
Baruah in December 2022.
Dr. Halder was associated with UKHCA since its very inception and has been
a generous donor and guiding light for the younger generation inducting and
encouraging them in UKHCA activities.
Dr. Halder will be spending time in India during Durga Puja so we will miss
seeing him and his family during our events this year. However, we hope to see
Dr. Halder and Mrs. Jaba Halder in our future events
Kaushik has decided to take a break from Executive Member duties to focus on
his family and personal life.
We hope to have him back in the Executive Committee soon.
Mr. Kaushik Pramanik
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
11
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
President’s Note
I am Krishna Baruah, and it is an honour for me to address you as the newly appointed President of
UKHCA (Dec 2022). I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. I am privileged to serve in
this role and would like to take this opportunity to share a personal connection with our organization.
I am proud to be one of the founding members of UKHCA, which was established by the late Dr. Tarun
Banerjee da in 1976. I consider myself fortunate to have taken part in the very first UKHCA Saraswati
Puja, which took place in dada’s house in 1993. This journey holds a special place in my heart, and I am
committed to carrying forward the legacy of our esteemed organization.
I am delighted to welcome all of you to our 11 th Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023. We have faced numerous
challenges in the past couple of years, but gradually we are returning to our normal lives. This year, we
are overjoyed to celebrate our King Charles’ coronation along with our Durga Puja festivities.
We are now prepared to commemorate our Durga Puja with splendour and grandeur. The UKHCA’s
core value is to embrace our diverse community and encourage everyone to participate in our festivals
through various activities. Throughout the year, we primarily observe three Pujas: Maa Durga, Maa
Kali, and Maa Saraswati. However, going forward, we will also include a Christmas party and a Holi
Party in our calendar of events.
Despite having a dedicated and hardworking team of over 100 members, we are always open to
welcoming new members. Organizing festivals for a large community requires ample resources from our
members, and I am truly grateful that our members have consistently supported us with their valuable
time and financial contributions. Each member of our team is occupied with their own professions, yet
they generously devote their time during the festival seasons. I sincerely appreciate and thank each and
every one of them.
I humbly request the younger generation to step forward and become active volunteers in our extended
UKHCA family. Your involvement and ideas will make our organization stronger for future generations.
We have decided to hold our annual general meeting (AGM) in April to ensure effective planning and
successful execution of our initiatives.
I extend special thanks to our office bearers and team members who oversee various activities such as
finance, front desk, brochure and website management, stalls, decoration, flowers, pujar jogar, cultural
events, kitchens, and food distribution among others.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our outgoing President, Dr. Tapon Halder da, for his
remarkable contributions to UKHCA. We will miss him and wish him the best in his future endeavours.
Lastly, I offer my sincere thanks to our donors and sponsors who have supported us in upholding our
standards.
With warm wishes,
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Mrs. Krishna Baruah
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
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UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
13
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Dear friends,
General Secretary’s Note
It is hard to believe it has already been a year I have had the pleasure and honour of serving you all
as General Secretary. As I welcome you all to UKHCA’s 11th Durga Puja celebrations I want to take a
moment to reflect on the key headlines of the year gone by:
• Post-Covid our events last year saw record turnout and we were able to successfully execute Durga
Puja (including Bijoya Sammelani), Kali Puja, Saraswati Puja, Christmas and Holi events
• We had strong community participation and engagement with a total of 41 adult and 6 children
actively volunteering for UKHCA. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for giving up your precious time
in making the events successful
• We successfully transitioned our Puja arrangements to a relatively new team spearheaded by myself
as the priest. My gratitude to the community for accepting me as UKHCA’s priest and I commit to
fulfil this solemn duty with utmost devotion for as long as you want me to
• We received overwhelming financial and non-financial support from our Executive Committee and
General Members helping us meet our financial commitments for the year. I want to express my
gratitude to you all for standing beside UKHCA through these trying times
• 12 new members joined UKHCA last year. I want to welcome all of you to UKHCA family and look
forward to working with all of you this year.
• 4 new EC members joined us in 2023. A very warm welcome to:
• Mrs. Pieu Choudhury, who has decided to join back UKHCA Executive Committee after
a short break,
• Mrs. Sumona Chatterjee
• Mrs. Rakhee Dutta Gupta
• Ms. Subarna Sen
I am absolutely delighted to have you all onboard.
• Mrs. Rama Karmokar joined us as an additional Office Bearer in August 2023 taking up the
position of Assistant General Secretary. She has been a true pillar of support for UKHCA and I am
glad to welcome her to the Office Bearer team
• Mrs. Krishna Baruah took over as the first female President of UKHCA transitioning from Dr.
Tapon Halder in December 2022. Unfortunately, Dr. Tapon Halder decided to step down from the
Executive Committee this year. I wanted to express my sincere thanks to for Dr. Halder for his
patronage of UKHCA over the years.
• We successfully streamlined all our internal processes like planning, budgeting, accounting and Gift
Aid reclaim significantly improving our operational efficiency, record keeping and transparency.
With these changes in place we have been able to reclaim Gift Aid for past 5 years and embed an
easy and repeatable process for reclaiming Gift Aid on a recurring basis
• We have digitised all our key member interactions like new member on boarding, donations and
gate collection to improve our member experience and gain further operational efficiencies
• We have updated the UKHCA Constitution to add Roles & Responsibilities and Financial Governance
Framework. You can view the updated constitution at https://ukhca.community/privacy-policy
I am truly excited about the immense potential and opportunity the year ahead holds for us as we
continue our journey towards the vision [establish UKHCA as a ‘family’ where we support each
other through thick and thin and be known for being the most homely Bengali community
organisation in South East London and Kent] we have set for ourselves.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Our priorities for this year are to:
1. Continue enjoying each other’s company and laugh together; this is our existential purpose
and we should always keep each other honest to ensure we are achieving this.
2. Streamline puja and event formats; this includes compressing Durga Puja to 3.5 day format
[Day 1 – Sasthi and Saptami, Day 2 – Ashtami, Day 3 – Nabami and Day 3.5 – Bijoya Dashami],
aligning Kali Puja celebration to the auspicious Amavasya tithi day and aligning Saraswati Puja
celebration to the nearest weekend of the actual Panchami tithi day to allow kids to wholeheartedly
participate in the puja. The whole arrangement has been agreed with our Executive Committee and
broader membership at AGM, balancing practicalities with tradition
3. Work out a sustainable and stable solution for food serving; we will pilot food tokens in most
of our events this year to prioritise food distribution for our donors and volunteers
4. Increasing membership and community participation; so we can truly become a platform of
the community, by the community and for the community
5. Continue de-centralising accountabilities; so new members can come forward and take lead in
key areas helping build a sustainable succession plan for UKHCA
Last but not the least, I am indebted to all our Office Bearers, Executive Committee Members, General
Members and volunteers for your strong show of support and enthusiasm without which we cannot
function. I would also like to extend my thanks to all our generous sponsors for helping us meet our
financial commitments and supporting our cause.
Jai Maa Durga
Yours sincerely,
Debanjan
Mr. Debanjan Mukherjee
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
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Treasurer’s Note
Dear All,
I, Tanuj Banerjee along with Jharna Sil Verma, would like to welcome you to the 11th UKHCA Durga Puja
Festival.
Continuing from our last year’s note I cannot compliment enough how spectacular was our 2022 puja
celebrations were. With the all-round effort from various volunteers and members we witnessed a special
10th UKHCA Puja. The aesthetics and grandeur of our Pujo celebration were unparalleled and we thank
Debanjan and Debesh da for their commitment and conduct of the Pujo rituals in their first year as purohits.
It was divine and enigmatic.
We continue to thank our kind donors and sponsors for their support (noted in page 17 ) which has kept
UKHCA going and maintaining a positive financial tally. A notable 15 % increase in annual membership
year-on-year through Jharna’s hardwork is a reflection of our diverse pool of members from the Indian
community and this list is growing. We are grateful to have such supportive and invaluable donors, sponsors,
and members.
UKHCA is a very adaptive organization, and therefore year on year we listen to all feedback and work out
numerous ways to improve our commitment to the society. We are continuously working to keep pace with
tremendous rising costs with a close eye on our budgets on all pillars of our services during Pujo. We humbly
expect your continued support on small transformations of our arrangements in some areas.
As noted in the AGM 2022 minutes, we have invested in our communications and website management
which has driven an effective way of handling donations and accounts. This keeps us smart and audited. We
thank Suman Das for his drive and enthusiasm on building the website.
Lastly, we want to emphasize once again that UKHCA is your organization. Come and celebrate with friends
and family and oh! Do not miss the “dhunuchi naach.”
Mrs.Jharna Sil Verma
(Joint Treasurer)
Mr.Tanuj Banerjee
(Joint Treasurer)
We are wholly reliant on the kind donations from all of you to be able to organise
our pujas and events.
Scan the QR code to donate and support our efforts
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
16
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Our Donors for 2022 - 23
We thank our sponsors for their generous donations through 2022 - 23. Besides the sponsors named
below we also received donations from numerous sponsors who choose to remain anonymous.
The entire UKHCA family is thankful to you all as without your help and support we will never be able
to organise the pujas for the community.
Durga Puja 2022
General Donation
We hope you will continue to support us this year and in future.
Please support our efforts and donate through: https://ukhca.community/donate/
• Ajay Ambagade
• Bhabani Sahoo
• Dipankar Chowdhury
• Dwaipayan Ray
• Gopi Chandran
• Joyanto Choudhury
• Manoj Kumar
• Mihir Khan
• Pradeep Basnyat
• Ramaprasad Dasgupta
• Sandip Mahanta
• Sanjoy Basu
• Satyajit Marndy
• Shubhendro
Chatterjee
• Sunanda Sarkar
• Tapon Halder
Durga Puja 2022
Donation in kind
Durga Puja 2022
Maha Sasthi
Durga Puja 2022
Maha Saptami
• 108 lotus flowers by Bimal & Mallika Bhaduri
• Puja Samagri by Suman Das, Debanjan Mukherjee, Debesh Mukherjee,
Sumi Chowdhury and Sonali Guha
• Abhijit Mondal
• Anand and Nandita Divekar
• Rakhee Dutta Gupta
• Sourja Chaudhuri and Pieu Chaudhuri
• Anuradha Bhadra
• Roshmi Kumar
• Suchismita Mukherjee
• Aditi Sil
• Mita Sau
Durga Puja 2022
• Chitra Das
• Riya Das
Maha Ashtami
• Gayatri Ranjan
• Sushanto Saha
Durga Puja 2022
Bijoya Dasami
• Anand and Nandita Divekar
Bijoya Sammilani • External artist (Sayoni Palit) sponsored by Chandrima Basu
Kali Puja 2022
Saraswati Puja 2023
• Joyanto Choudhuri, Sanjoy Basu, Chandrima Basu
• Sourja Chaudhuri and Pieu Chaudhuri
• Joyanto Choudhury
• Bikramjit Bhattacharjee
• Krishna Baruah
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
17
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Interim Summary of Accounts 2022 - 23
Interim* Financial Statement of Income and Expenses
For the year ended 31 March 2023
31/3/2023 31/3/2022
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENT
Donations and legacies
Membership Subscriptions and Donations 2,443 2,353
2,443 2,353
Income from Charitable activities
Durga Puja 28,531 24,272
Kali Puja 1,528 1,039
X-Mas Party 1,438 -
Saraswati Puja 1,863 1,832
Holi 1,652 -
35,012 27,143
One off Gift Aid Reclaims
Financial year 2021 - 2022 5,373 -
Financial year 2020 - 2021 1,262 -
Financial year 2019 - 2020 3,934 -
Financial year 2018 - 2019 3,150 -
13,719 -
Other income
Other miscellaneous income 22 672
22 672
Total Income 48,753 30,168
EXPENDITURE
Cost of Charitable activities
Durga Puja (24,789) (18,506)
Kali Puja (2,155) (1,108)
X-Mas Party (1,673) -
Saraswati Puja (2,046) (2,024)
Holi (1,999) -
(32,662) (21,638)
SUPPORT COSTS
Additional Expenses (1,099) (1,754)
(1,099) (1,754)
Total Expenditure (33,761) (24,721)
Net income 14,992 5,447
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
18
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Interim Statement of Financial Position
For the year ended 31 March 2023
31/3/2023 31/3/2022
£ £
Cash at bank and in hand 50,326 32,853
*These are interim summary of our accounts currently under review with our accountant. Accounts to be finalised by the
end of the year and submitted to Charity Commission
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
19
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
2022 Durga Puja Celebrations
At the UK Hindu Cultural Association (UKHCA), we have celebrated our 10th Sharodiya Durgotsav in
2022. At the puja this year, we have seen a confluence of old and new, modern and traditional and we
are proud to have brought our Bengali and Indian community together, whilst also supporting our local
businesses.
We have seen wonderful camaraderie amongst friends, old and new, everyone joining hands to celebrate
Ma Durga’s visit to our mortal earth. Our puja rituals were performed by our priests Debanjan Mukherjee
and Debesh Mukherjee with devotion, joy and pride, all at the same time. They not only led the puja
with enthusiasm and fervour, but also brought our community to celebrate our wonderful puja together.
They explained the meaning of the Shlokas they were reciting and gave us a gist of the ethos behind
these and reasons why these rituals were being performed during the puja.
Our volunteer community were actively involved in all aspects of the puja, making it a resounding
success! Every day, we served our delicious Puja ‘prasad’ and ‘bhog’ twice a day, making the joy of the
Puja even more fulfilling. Our local advertisers and businesses put up their stalls and banners, offering
delectable food and gorgeous lifestyle items for sale, bringing a mini-shopping bonanza to the local
community. On Shashti and Saptami, we saw lovely performances from our community members and
on Bijoya Dashami, our celebrations culminated with a magnificent performance from Sayani Palit
followed by our Bijoya Sammilani dinner. Our heartfelt ‘thank you’ to our dear volunteers, patrons,
donors and advertisers. Thank you for your support, your presence, your participation and your generous
donations. We are overwhelmed with your love.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
20
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
2022 Kali Puja Celebrations
The UK Hindu Cultural Association (UKHCA) celebrated the Kali puja and Diwali on 23rd October at
the Swanley Townhall, Swanley with ardor and piousness. By following its tradition, the celebration
not only fulfilled the religious customs, but also brought the entire community together to spread and
enjoy the true spirit of the festival by sharing love, respect and togetherness.
The puja rituals were performed by the priests with austerity and complete devotion and proactively
encouraged devotees of all ages and different communities to worship the Goddess Kali. The magnificent
decoration made of diyas, rangoli and flowers helped the event retain its spiritual essence throughout
the evening. It also witnessed the spectacular fireworks conducted by the children under their parental
supervision to symbolize the “victory of light over darkness”. The puja prasad was distributed in a most
organized manner among the devotees. The delicious dinner served at the end gave it a perfect finish.
The active participation, enthusiasm and the team spirit of the volunteers made the event impeccable.
On behalf of UKHCA, we would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all the patrons, volunteers
and participants who made this event a great success and we look forward to having your continuous
support and cooperation in our upcoming events .
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
21
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
2022 Christmas Party
The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of God’s ultimate gift: the birth of Jesus! The spirit of
Christmas brings a joyous time of celebration when we show our love for family and friends and rejoice
together!
Father Christmas came early to UKHCA on 11th December 2022. We held our annual Christmas
celebration event last year at Basecamp, a quirky restaurant in Bexleyheath serving authentic Indian
and South Asian cuisine.
Donned in Christmas jumpers and Santa hats, we jazzed, sparkled
and shimmered and celebrated the ushering of the festive season in
style!! With a sumptuous 3 course menu accompanied by drinks, it was
a party to remember! The event started in the early afternoon, with
families from our community arriving in style, excited and looking
forward to a fun filled day with all other extended UKHCA family.
This was a perfect way to let our hair down and relax, a time to say
thank you to our volunteers and community members! Some short
speeches were made in appreciation for our outgoing President Dr
Tapon Halder and a warm welcome was extended to our new President
Mrs Krishna Baruah.
Our very own Jharna Sil Verma’s daughters, Jiya and Siya gave us
all Christmas presents, a very loving gesture indeed! The afternoon
started with welcome drinks and everyone was in a wild party spirit,
dancing to Christmas tunes and singing along merrily together! There
was a buzz of endless chatter and laughter with everyone making and
preserving memories in the form of photoshoots. This was followed by
an Indian themed meal, enjoyed by young and old alike. Our youngest
party-goer was all of 2, and was seen to be really enjoying himself,
cradled in the arms of his family!
All in all, a time well spent with friends and family, an unforgettable experience indeed! We are already
looking forward to 2023 Christmas celebration!!
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
22
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
2023 Saraswati Puja Celebrations
The UK Hindu Cultural
Association (UKHCA)
celebrated Saraswati Puja
on 29th January 2023 at
the Olympic Hall, Swanley.
The worship of the goddess
of knowledge, language,
music, and all arts was
undertaken with fervor and in a propitious manner which also marked the arrival of spring . The
graceful celebration was an attempt to preserve Indian culture, to respect long established traditions
whilst allowing devotees to offer their prayers to the goddess.
The event successfully recreated the charm of the typical Saraswati Puja celebrations of Bengal .
Everyone followed the yellow dress code, children were encouraged to participate actively by offering
their books to be blessed by the deity and the venue was decorated with beautiful yellow marigolds.
The puja started early in the morning and all the rituals were performed by the priest with solemnity
and devotion. The “Devi Vandana” and “Aarti” were spectacular.
The major attraction of the event remained the “Hate Khori”,
where many toddlers sought the blessing of the goddess and
started their academic journey by writing their first letter in
the presence of goddess Saraswati.
The mouthwatering bhog was delightful. The authentic and
conventional Bengali food stalls added a special flavor to the
event, with the traditional Bengali sweet stall being the major
attraction. The day ended with beautiful performances by the
children, which were hugely applauded by the audience. The
Saraswati Vandana and the recital of Tagore’s poem” “Where
the mind is without fear” left the spectators speechless. The
coalescence of gaiety and piety left an indelible impression in the minds of all attendees .
UKHCA sincerely conveys its gratitude to all the volunteers, patrons and participants for their
unconditional support , participation and cooperation to make this event hugely successful.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
23
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
2023 Holi Party
Holi, the festival of color was celebrated by the UKHCA
on 4th March 2023 at the Amar Hall, Dartford with lots
of avidity. The well-organized event was a true symbolic
representation of welcoming spring by spreading love,
peace, and happiness in a most colourful way. The hall
was beautifully decorated with the "HOLI" theme and
every nook and corner presented a colorful sight. All the
participants let their hair down and threw their worries
to the wind to make the event a very memorable one.
All guests were welcomed by a delectable “Thandai “ and
the event of unadulterated fun and enjoyment followed.
The “Holi” songs created a wonderful ambience and
brought everyone
on the dance
floor. Everyone
started to unwind by mingling with each other and were then
allured by the resplendent veg and non-veg starters along
with the main course of Indian delicacies. The mouth watering
Biryani, Chicken 65, Chili paneer, Tandoori chicken, Gobi 65
and Veg Manchurian were enjoyed by all.
The Gulab Jamun competition revived the memory of traditional
Bengali food events. “Musical Chair” was played and this created
the most excitement!.Three rounds were undertaken , one each
dedicated for the children, women and men separately. It was
thoroughly enjoyed by one and all.
The highlight of the afternoon was when people put color on each other in the most traditional way that
Holi is celebrated, whilst maintaining dignity and complete respect for each other.
The graceful celebration allowed UKHCA participants to rejuvenate themselves by sprinkling the
color of happiness in their lives. Once again, UKHCA sincerely conveys its gratitude to all its volunteers,
patrons and participants for their wholehearted support and cooperation to make this event successful.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
24
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UKHCA Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The UKHCA held its 30th Annual General Meeting on Sunday 23rd April 2023. Members, old and new,
joined in to celebrate our achievements over 2022 – 2023. The event began with the usual cacophony and
coming together of our members, rejoicing and reminiscing the good times that we have all shared over
the last year. Dressed in beautiful sarees and other traditional Ethnic outfits, our members captured
the beautiful moments together with photo opportunities , followed by a scrumptious Indian lunch,
sponsored kindly by UKHCA and provided by Partypals (Malobika Roy).
The meeting formally began with a welcome speech by our President,
Mrs Krishna Baruah. Krishna di thanked the outgoing President
Dr Tapon Halder & welcomed new Executive Committee members
(Pieu Chaudhuri, Sumona Chatterjee, Rakhee Dutta Gupta) and
all new members to the UKHCA family. Krishna di also thanked
everyone for their
contribution over the
last year.
Debanjan Mukherjee,
our General
Secretary, presented
on objectives that the
UKHCA had set out over the last year, namely to build
an environment of camaraderie, instil transparency,
objectivity, governance and accountability and to streamline the present, set up for the future. He
detailed our achievements including successful Puja festivities; decentralised and democratic decision
making and community participation. He also announced that we now have 25 Executive committee
members, with the recent addition of 3 new EC members and 12 new members who have recently
joined the UKHCA family. Priorities were set out for 2023 with further streamlining activities planned
around Puja schedule, food provision, memberships and accountability. Debanjan thanked members
who had supported various initiatives and offered help as volunteers
in all aspects of the UKHCA events.
Tanuj Banerjee and Jharna Sil Verma presented the annual accounts
highlighting the success of the Durga Puja collection from Brochure
and Gate collection. Tanuj thanked Rama Satoskar and Tim Das for
their leadership and continued effort in these areas. Streamlining
gift aid was a key highlight and was helped with the tremendous
effort put in by Tim Das on website improvements. Tanuj encouraged
existing members to invite and enthuse new members to join the
UKHCA family. Tanuj highlighted the issue of rising costs and income
depreciation, a matter to bear in mind whilst organising festivities.
Dr Sanjay Basu and Dr Ashis Sau presented proposed dates for Durga Puja and other festivals for the
upcoming years 2023 and 2024. Plans were discussed briefly about the addition of a Christmas and
a Holi party to the calender ,after their resounding succes last year. Jharna Sil Verma presented the
proposed Working groups with their leads for 2023/24 for the Brochure, Catering and Food distribution,
Cultural, Decoration, Digital communication, Front desk, Fruit cutting, Transportation, Puja and Stall
Teams. Jharna encouraged more volunteers to come forward and support the working groups. The
meeting concluded with a discussion on other matters, including EC
memberships, Bijoya Sammilani and social activities.
The afternoon was made even more engaging with Jharna organising
a mind-boggling Quiz , that kept us all enthralled and stretched our
brains! The cherry on the cake was the tambola which everyone
thoroughly enjoyed.
An enjoyable afternoon all around with work and play!
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
25
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Not just a homecoming
Dr. Dibyendu Datta
For a Bengali, দুর্্গগাপূজগা is love and emotion, and the passion of working together and meeting with their
loved ones. For us, দুর্্গগাপূজগা is a yearlong wait for rejoicing that lasts a week.
Nostalgia, memories, food and দুর্্গগাপূজগা festivities are inseparable. Did you know that the first grand
worship of Goddess Durga is said to have been celebrated in the late 1500s? Other records claim that
the zamindars of Dinajpur and Malda initiated the first দুর্্গগাপূজগা in Bengal.
Crisp, sunny autumn mornings, even in
fragrance and beautiful aura of শিউলি ফু ল,
ফুল; all set to the mellifluous chants of
the clothes, one for each day of the
speak of the mouth-watering dishes
িগািু and নিমকি: all devoured with relish,
loads of fun.
And then there is, and has always
eye glances and catchy smiles and
throwback to the teen years.
Musings and Marvels
faraway Britain hark back to the intoxicating
the floating clouds, the blue sky and কগাি
মহগািয়়া. Pre-Pujo shopping and laying out
festivities, went hand in hand. Not to
and sweets, ভোগাগর্র খিচু ড়ি, লুচি-ঘুর্ড়ি, িগারকেলের
with old and new friends, road trips and
been, the little পুগজগা romance, furtive
frivolous flirts in autumnal air: a sweet
The মহগাষ্টমী পুষ্পাঞ্জলি, the ধুনুচি িগাচ, the lights,
decorations, themed idols --- all seek your
attention during পুগজগা days amidst all the
প্যগাগডেল hopping and পুগজগা ভোদিগা : all giving way to
সিন্ুর ভোিিগা --- with prayers for peace, health and happiness blessed by clouds of red vermillion.
It is small wonder that Durga Puja received the UNESCO tag of Intangible Cultural Heritage, being
such an integral part of a Bengali’s life for aeons. It was a catharsis long pending. The Goddess Durga’s
famed visit to her maternal home after slaying the demon মহিষগািুর is the ritualistic reason for the week
long festivities. It was and has always been more than a homecoming: an eternal tradition in the truest
sense of the word.
A poetry in the making…
Dr. Amitav Dutta
I tried to write some poetry
I thought I might just dare
And stand under that very tree
In Wordsworth’s Windermere
But my words were not worth Wordsworth’s words
Wordsworth’s was worth much more
While mine was like a mouse’s squeak
Wordsworth’s was a lion’s roar
I juggled with all the rhythm and rhyme
I did not get much worse
At the end of a long long time
I came up with this verse
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
26
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Wishing all our Bengali brothers and sisters
a very happy Durga Puja
With compliments from
Haven
Help a village emerge new
www.havencharity.org
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
27
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
বাংলা বার্্তা
জীবন্্ত প্্রত্তমার সম্মান
জু ঁ ই ভট্টাচটার্্য্্য
ভোি িয় মন্দিরের ভোকগাগিগা বিগ্রহ প্রতিমগা
রক্ত মগাংসে র্িগা অতি িগাধগারণ ভোমগয়
তবুও িগাম িগার ছিল দূর্্গগা,
মগা শদগয়ড়িগিগা, মনের ভক্তির প্রকগাি
দূর্্গগা পুগজগার দিন জগমেছিল বলে হয়গিগা।
অগাগির সংিগাগর ভোমগয় হিগার অপরগাগধ
অিগহিগায় ধীরে ধীরে ভোিগি উঠগিগা ভোি,
অবুঝ মগার মন স্বপ্ন ভোদগি আর্গামীর
িগার দূর্্গগাও ঠিক বড় হবে একদিন |
জীবনের অমসৃণ পথে শুরু হগিগা চিগা
ভোকমন ভোেন গাগিগা িগার্গিগা স্ু গির সব কিছু
দগাশরদ্রিগার িগাধগা পগারগিগািগা দমগাগি দুর্্গগাকে
পরীক্ষার গন্ডি অবলীিগায় অতিক্রান্ত
বড় হগয় করবে ভোি সব র্শরগির ভোিিগা
িগাই ডগাক্তগাশর পড়তে ঢু কলে |
স্বপ্নের ডগািগায় চড়ে দিন েগায় উড়ে
জীবনের সব উজ্জ্বল রং আর রূপ -
র্গাগয় ভোমগি রঙিন হিগার দিন হল শুরু
স্বপ্রতিগার প্রতিষ্গায় কঠিন পরিশ্রম
বিকশিত মঞ্জরীতে প্রতিড়ষ্ি সম্মান
মমিগার স্বগনেহে মগাগয়র আিগন্র গর্্ব |
কিন্তু নিষ্ূর নিয়সির একি পরিহগাি
নৃশংস আক্মণ িগারী িগাদকের িগািিগার ভোরগাষ
এক মুহূ গি্গ ছিন্ন ভিন্ন ভোদহ আর মন।
নিরগাপরগাধ তবুও চরম লজ্জার সমগাগজর শাস্তি।
বুকফগাটগা ভোিগািগা কগান্নগা র্গাঢ় অন্ধকগার চগাশরশদক।
দাম্ভিক, নিি্গজ্, উদ্ধত ভোপৌরুষি্য দগাশপগয় ভোিিগায়
আর দূর্্গগারগা ভু গর্ মরে যুর্ যুর্ ধরে
পগািশিকিগার শাস্তি কি শুধুই েগাকবে অধরগা।
এগাগিই হয়গিগা িগা ঝরে েগাগি আগরগা শত কলি।
ভোকি আমরগা পগাশর িগা করতে দৃঢ় অঙ্ীকগার
মগাড়টর প্রতিমগার িগাগে হবে জীবন্ত প্রতিমগারও সম্মান ।
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
28
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
যমালয়ে অমূল্যবাবু
ডটাঃ শ্রাবণী চক্রবর্তী
অমূি্যিগািু ভোচগাি খুলে একটু অিগাক হগয় ভোর্গিি। চগাশরশদক ভোকমন অদ্ূি িগান্ত িগার্গি। বুগিগা হগয় ভোেকে ভোে র্গাগয় হগাি পগা ি্যগােগাটগা সব সমগয়র িগােী হগয় উঠেছিল
ভোকগােগায় ভোেন হগাওয়গা হগয় শর্গয়গি ভোিটগা। ভোিি ফু রফু রে িগার্গি। আিগমগাি ভোগি উঠে বসলেন। িগাহ্ ভোিি হগািকগা িগার্গি ভোিগা। বিিগািগা ভোেকে ভোিগম দরজগার দিকে
ভোেতে শর্গয় পিছন ফিরে কি ভোদিগি শর্গয়গিি, পুগরগা পিলে চমকে উঠল। ওকি! তিনি ভোিগা বিিগািগাগিই শুগয় আছেন। িগাহলে তিনি আিগার হগাঁটছেন কি করে! তবে কি
েগার য় পগাচ্ছিলেন এতদিন ধরে িগাই হল! মৃিু্য!!! দরজগা শদগয় ভোিগি ঢু কগিগা ঘরে। িগাগে পাড়়ার কিছু ভোিগি। শুনলেন িগারগা বডি িগামগািগার ভোিগািগজগাি শুরু করেছে।
িিগাই ভোকমন আসতে আসতে কেগা বলছে। ভোকউ হগািগিিগা তবে কগাউকে ভোদগি ঠিক ভোিগাকার্্ত বলেও মনে হচ্ছেনা। ৮৫ বছরের বৃদ্ধ গািগিি ভোিগি িগাহলে কগাঁদগিিগা।
িগারপর গািগিি স্তী নিশ্চিত ভোিগাগক বিদ্ধ হগয় আছেন। ঘর ভোেকে ভোিশরগয় স্তী এর ভোিগাঁজ করতে শুরু করলেন তিনি। এিক্গণ তিনি বুঝে শর্গয়গিি িগাঁকে ভোকউ ভোদিগি
পাচ্ছে িগা। রগান্নগাঘরের িগামনে শর্গয় ভোদগিি িগার ৭৮ বছরের স্তী রগান্নগার ভোমগয়টগাগক কিসব বলছেন। আজ ভোিগা আগুন জ্বিগিিগা। িগাহলে কি এত কেগা হগছি। শুনলেন
বৃদ্ধগা ভোমগয়ড়টগক বলছেন: ভোিগাি দগাদগািগািু সুর্গাগরর রুর্ী। ভোরগাজ ওষুধ িগায়। একদম িগা ভোিগি সুর্গার পরে েগাগি। শ্মিগাি ভোেতে এখনও ভোিি ভোদরী। শর্গয়ও ভোদরী হতে
পগাগর। তুই চগা এর ভোদগাকগাি ভোেকে এক কগাপ চগা নিগয় একটু আিগাি করে দগাদগািগািুকে িগাইগয় ভোদ। কগাগজর ভোিগাকটি মগােগা ভোিগি চলে ভোর্ি। অমূিেিগািুর রগাগর্ দুঃখে
কগান্নগা ভোপগয় ভোর্ি। ৫৫ বছরের বিিগাশহি স্তী, ভোকগােগায় ভোকঁ দে গািগাগি িগা িগা! ভোিগাগক দুঃখে রগাগর্ পগাের হগয় ভোর্গিি তিনি।
হঠগাৎ পিঠে কগার হগাি িগার্গাগি চমকে উঠলেন তিনি। ঘুরে িগাশকগয় ভোদগিি এক সুদি্গি যুবক। একর্গাি ভোহগি ভোি বলল: নমস্কার! আমগার িগাম অমরজীবন ১২১। আমি
চিত্রগুগতের কগাি ভোেকে আসছি। আর্গামী ৭২ ঘণ্টা আমি আপিগার জি্য নিযুক্ত যমদূত। আমি গারতীয় হিন্ু িগািগার ৪ নং ি্যযাটেলিয়গির ১২১ নং যমদূত।
মগােগাটগা র্রম হগয় ভোর্ি অমূি্যিগািুর। যমদূতের িগাম অমরজীবন! রসিকিগা হগছি!
অমরজীবন ১২১ ভোেন পিগি পগাগর মনের কেগা। একটু ভোহগি বলল: রসিকিগা িয়! এইটগাই নিয়ম। তবে আপনি আমগায় ১২১ বলে ডগাকতে পগাগরি। েগাক ভোি কেগা।
চলুন আমগার িগাগে। বিচগারকগাজ ভোিষ করতে হবে ভোদহ পুগি েগািগার আগর্। িগাহলে এিগাগিই ভোেকে েগাগিি স্বর্্গ মগি্গ র মগাঝিগাগি। চলুন চলুন, আর ভোদরী িয়।
বিরগাট হলঘরের মগাগঝ একটগা িি সিংহগািি মত। একজন িগাগি বসে ঢু লুঢু লু ভোচগাগি ভোদিগিি চগারপগাি। িগার পগাগি আর একটগা ভোচয়গাগর একজন ি্যতি সমতি ভোিগাক
বিরগাট এক জগািদগা িগািগা খুলে কি সব ভোদিগি। পগাি ভোেকে শুনলেন ১২১ বলছে: অমরজীবন ১২১ শরগপগাসট্গ ং ি্যযার।
িগািগার ভোেকে ভোচগাি তু লে বললেন িগার পিছনে িিগা ভোিগাকটি: আসুন অমূি্য িগািু। আপিগার বিচগাগরর সময় হগয়গি। আগর্ ভোেকেই বলে রগাশি স্বগর্্গর জি্য রিজগাগ্গ িি
িগাধু িন্ন্যগািী আর ভীষণ গাগিগা ভোিগাগকগদর। কগািগাম ি্যযারের পর ভোকউ ভোিিগাগি েগায়ড়ি। বুঝতেই পগারছেন আপিগার ভোিিগাগি েগািগার মত পূণ্য ভোিই। নরকেও আজকগাি
রিজগাগ্গ িি িগার্গি। এত পলিটিশিয়গাি আসছে ভোে আমরগা কিছু করতে পগারছিিগা। িগাই প্রধগািমন্তী রগাস্ট্রপতি মুি্যমন্তী তিগরর ভোিগাক িগা হলে ভোিিগাগি আমরগা এই মূহুগি্গ
প্রবেশ দিচ্ছিিগা।
অমূি্যিগািু একটু ঘগািগি শর্গয় বললেন: িগাহলে কি হবে?
চিত্রগুতে: আপিগার পুগণ্যর বিনিমগয় আিগার মগািি জমে হবে। পগাগপর বিনিমগয় িগার র্ীরিগা অনুেগায়ী অি্য পশু জমে হবে। তবে নিয়ম অনুেগায়ী পশু জমে আগর্ হবে।
িগারপর ঘুরে সিংহগািগি িিগা ভোিগাকটির দিকে িগাশকগয় বললেন: মহগারগাজ, ইনি অল্প িয়গি অনেক গাগিগা কগাজ করেছেন। সৎ ছিলেন, চরিত্রিগাি ছিলেন, সংিগাগরর
জি্য অনেক কিছু করেছেন। িগাই পূগণ্যর বিনিমগয় এর ৬০ বছর সম্পন্ন ঘরে পুিজ্গ মে ধগাে্গ্য হল।
যম মগােগা ভোিগি বললেন: িেগাস্তু!
চিত্রগুতে: এিগার আসি পগাগপর কেগায়। ওিগার ভোদগাষ আছে একটি। মগািুষটি িি আত্মগকন্্রিক। নিজের অসুবিধগা অসুখ নিগয়ই ি্যতি। অি্য ভোিগাক পগাগি মরে েগািগার মত
হলেও ইনি নিজেকে নিগয়ই েগাকতেন। অবসর ভোিিগার পর ভোেকে এই দুর্গুণ্ আগরগা ভোিগি শর্গয় ইনি িগাড়ির সকলের মগােগা ি্যগােগার কগারণ হগয়ড়িলেন। এর জি্য আমি
এর ৪০ বছর পশুজমে অনুগমগাদন করছি।
কেগাটগা শুনেই ভোিজগায় চটলেন অমূি্যিগািু। ৪০ বছর পশুজমে! মগামগদগািগালজ হগছি! কগার অসুবিধগা ভোদগিিড়ি তিনি? ভোমগি নিগছিি স্তী িগাঁর অসুস্থ ছিল কিন্তু তিনিও কি
করে িগাঁর অসুখের কেগা শুনবেন! তিনি নিজে ভোে কি অসুস্থ ছিলেন কি বলবেন! এটগা আিগাদগা কেগা ভোে মূি্গ ডগাক্তগারগুগিগা িগাঁর অসুখ ধরতে পগারগিগািগা। েগাই ভোহগাক
মুখে বললেন: এ রগায় আমি মগািড়িিগা। আপিগাগদর আপগার ভোকগাট্গ ভোিই? আমি আপিল করব।
যম মনে মনে একটু র্গালি দিলেন িগািগািী বলে। মুখে বললেন: ওহে চিতু একটু ভোদিি িগািগা এর প্রতিকগার কি ভোিিগা আছে র্গাইডিগাইনে?
চিত্রগুতে একটু কিসব ভোদগি বললে: উপগায় একটগা আছে। ওিগাগক তিনটি ভোিগাককে দগাি করতে হবে। উনি জীবদ্দিগায় ভোকগাগিগাশদি দগাি করেননি। তিনটি নিঃস্বার্্থ দগাি।
িগাহলে পশুজমে িগাইপগাি করে ভোেতে পগাগরি।
যম: ঠিক আছে। ভোপগািগাগিগা ভোেকে শ্রগাদ্ধ অবধি সময় শদিগাম। ১২১, িগাগে ভোেক, দুনম্বরি িগা করে ভোেন, িগািগািী বলে কেগা!
অমূি্যিগািু ভোিজগায় খুশী। তিনজনকে দগাি করগা। এটগা ভোকগাগি ি্যযাপগার হল? মনে পরল িগার খুচগরগা জিনিষ রগািগার ড্রয়গাগরর কগার্গজর িিগায় তিনি ভোিি অনেক টগাকগা
ভোরগিড়িলেন। মগাগি মগাগি েগা টগাকগা তিনি ভোপগিি িগার এক পয়িগাও খরচ করতেন িগা তিনি। ভোিই টগাকগা এত িগািগািগাড়ি িগাড়ির ভোিগাগকরগা নিশ্চয়ই খুঁজে পগায়ড়ি। রওিগা
দিলেন আিগার িগাড়ির উগদ্দগি্য। িগাগে ওই ১২১। িগাড়ি ঢু কেই আিগার ভোমজগাজটগা র্রম হল। এখন ভোিগি এসে শর্গয়গি দগাহ করে। জীবন নিজের নিয়ম ভোমগিই চলছে।
কগারুর ভোেন কিছুই আসে েগায়িগা িগাঁর অনুপস্থিতিতে। ড্রয়গার ভোেকে টগাকগা ভোির করগার আগর্ ১২১ ভোক লজগঞেস করে নিলেন ভোকউ আিগার ভোদিগি পগাগি িগাশক। ১২১
বলে দিল টগাকগা িগা নিজেকে তিনি েিক্ণ িগা ভোদিগাগি চগাইবেন িিক্ণ ভোদিগা েগাগিিগা। নিশ্চিন্তে তিনি টগাকগা নিগয় চললেন ঝি ভোিড়টর িগাড়ি। ভোমগয়টগা একটু আধটু
কগাজ করে দিত িগাঁর। একটু মুখরগা বটে। কিন্তু গাগিগা। শর্গয় ভোদগিি ভোি দুপুরের িগািগার ভোিগয় একটু বিিগািগায় র্িগাগছি। পগাগি দগাঁড়িগয় মনে মনে বললেন তিনি আর
টগাকগা ভোেন ভোিই ভোমগয়র কগাগি দৃি্যমগাি হয়। িগাই হল। এিগার মৃদু স্বরে ডগাকলেন: ও কগািুর মগা! ঘুমগাগি িগাশক? দুিগার ডগাকগার পর তিন িগাগরর িগার ভোচগাি খুলল কগািুর
মগা। ভোচগাি খুলে অমূি্যিগািুকে ভোদগিই ভোি শুরু করল চিল চিৎকগার: মগা ভোর্গা! িগািগা ভোর্গা! আমগায় ভূ তে ধরল ভোর্গা! বুগিগা জ্যযান্তকগাগি ভোেমন জ্বগালিগয়গি ভোিমনি আিগার
জ্বগািগাগি এসেছে ভোর্গা!
অমূি্যিগািু িগািগািগাড়ি টগাকগার বান্ডিল নিগয় ভোচগাগির িগামনে ভোদিগাগি েগাকলেন কগািুর মগা এর। িগার চিৎকগার তিনগুণ ভোিগি ভোর্ি: ভূ তে টগাকগা নিগয় ঘুরছে ভোকি ভোর্গা!
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
29
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
আমগায় িগাঁচগাও ভোর্গা।
একটগা তিগিগাগাি মুখে নিগয় ভোিশরগয় এলেন তিনি। ১২১ পগাগি এসে বলল: প্রথম সুগেগার্ ভোর্ি।
মনক্ু ণ্ন অমূি্যিগািু আিগার ফিরে ভোর্গিি িগার ড্রয়গাগর। িগার হীরের আংটি িগাড়ি ছিল ড্রয়গাগরর এক ভোকগাগি। নিগয় ভোিশরগয় এলেন। ড্রগাইগার মদনের কেগা মনে হল।
যদি মদনকে এটগা ভোদওয়গা েগায়। এিগাগর আর নিজের মুখ ভোদিগাগিি িগা তিনি। গাড়়ির ড্রগাইগাগরর সিটে চু পিচু পি ভোরগি এলেন আংটিটগা। এিগার কগাি সকগাগির অপেক্ষা।
পরদিন সকগাগি মদন এল কগাগজ। ড্রগাইগাগরর সীটে আংটি ভোদগি ভোি গািি এ ভোকগােগা ভোেকে এল!! গাগিগা করে ভোদগি কি মনে করে হগাগির আঙুলে ভোঢগাকগাগিগা আংটি
টগা। িগাহ্ পগােরটগা ভোিি চকচকে। সিটি ভোর্গাল্ড মনে হয়। মনের আিগন্ ভোি ডগাকতে ভোর্ি দগাদগািগািুকে। মনে হয়িগা আজ অফিস ভোিগরগাগি। দগাদগািগািুর কগাগি শর্গয় শুনল
েগা ভোগিড়িল িগাই। মনের আিগন্ ফিরেই আসছিল ভোি। হঠগাৎ দগাদগািগািুর নজর ভোর্ি িগার হগাগি। ি্যযাস! কিছুক্ণ িগাগদ িগারগা পাড়়ার সব ভোিগাক চলে এল। মদন বুগিগার
হগাগির আংটি চু রি করেছে! বুগিগা ও আংটি ভোে কদিন আগর্ খুলে ভোরগিগি িগা ভোকউ ভোিয়গাি করেনি। িগাই িিগাই বলছে মরগা মগািুষের আঙুল ভোেকে আংটি খুলে নিগয়গি
মদন! ১২১ এসে অমূি্যিগািুর কগাগি কগাগি বলল: শুধু শুধু একটগা নিরগাপরগাধ ভোিগাককে মগার িগাওয়গাগিি।
মনের দুঃখে র্গাগির িিগায় বসে আছেন অমূি্যিগািু। হঠগাৎ মনে পরল িগাড়ি ভোিগা এখনও িগার িগাগম। আচ্ছা এক কগাজ করলে ভোকমন হয়? িগাড়ি যদি কগাউকে লিখে
ভোদি ভোিটগাও ভোিগা দগািই হবে? আর এত িি দগাি হলে নিশ্চয়ই ভোিটগা যমরগাজ তিনটি দগাগির সমগাি বলে ভোমগি ভোিগি! ১২১ ভোক বললেন একটগা কগার্জ আর ভোপি
িগার্গি। হগালজর হগয় ভোর্ি কগার্জ ভোপি। লিখে ভোফিগিি একটগা উইল। িগার এক দুঃস্থ ি্যযালিকগাগক লিখে দিলেন িগাড়ি। িগারপর ভোি কগার্জ িিগার ঘরে ভোরগি চুপ করে
বসে রইলেন সকগাি হিগার। ভোচগািটগা বুঝি ভোিগর্ শর্গয়ড়িল। হঠগাৎ একটগা ডু করে কগান্নগার আওয়গাজ এ ঘুম গািগিগা। মনে মনে একটু খুশী হলেন ভোগি ভোে ভোকউ িগার
দুঃখে কগাঁদছে। িিগার ঘরে ঢু কে ভোদগিি স্তী প্রচডে কঠিন মুখ করে বসে আছেন। ভোিগি ক্ু দ্ধ স্বরে কগাগক বলে চলেছে: কি সম্পক্গ ছিল ভোিগামগার আমগার িগািগার িগাগে
বল?সম্পক্গ িগা েগাকলে ভোিগামগায় িগাড়ি ভোকি লিখে দিল? পগাগি িগার উকিল িন্ধু ভোিগিগক বুঝাচ্ছে: আরে তুই ভোকি মগােগায় নিচ্ছিস? এ উইল গ্রগাহ্য হগিিগা। একে িগাক্ী
ভোিই িগায় সই ভোমগিড়ি! (ঠিকই ভোিগা র্ি প্রগায় পগাঁচ বছর িগার সই ভোমগিিগা)। ভোিগির উগ্টটো দিকে িগার ি্যযালিকগা ডু করে কগাঁদছে আর বলছে: ও জগামগাইিগািু কি ক্সি
করেছিিগাম আমি আপিগার! এ ভোকমন বদিগাম শদগয় ভোর্গিি মরগার আগর্! আরে আমি িগাড়ি কি ভোচগয়ড়ি! ভোি নিগয় আমি করবই িগা কি!!
১২১ অমূি্যিগািুকে নিগয় পৌৌঁঁছেছে আিগার চিত্রগুগতের িগামনে। যম বলছেন: ভোদিগিি িসি্য গাগিগা করগার ইগছি িগা েগাকলে কগারুর গাগিগা ও করগা েগায়িগা, দগািও করগা
েগায়িগা। স্বগাে্গি্যগার্ িগা করলে কিছু হয়িগা। েগাইগহগাক আপিগার পশুজমে ঠিক রইল িগাহলে।
মুখ নীচু করে অমূি্য বললেন: কি পশু হব?
যম: হিমগািগয়র ভোকগাগি েগাত্রীিগাহী ভোঘগািগা। বড়লোোকরগা তীে্গ করতে েগািগার সময় ভোে ভোঘগািগা চগাগপ। স্বার্্থপর মগািুষ কত হতে পগাগর ভোদিগিি আর গািগিি নিজের কেগা।
………………………….
প্রচডে আগিগা আর র্রমে ভোচগাি ভোিগাগিি অমূি্যিগািু। িগারগা বিিগািগা ভিজে শর্গয়গি ঘগাগম। তিনি মরেন নি? িগাহলে কি স্বপ্ন ভোদিগিি? কগাগির কগাগি হঠগাৎ ভোেন ভোিই
১২১ এর র্িগা: সুগেগার্ ভোপগিি আর একিগার মিগাই। বদলে নিন নিজেকে। শুধু নিজের জি্য িগাঁচগাগি সুখ িগাই।
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
30
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
London’s First Saree Walkathon 2023
Foreword by Paushali De Roy and interview of Dr. Dipti Jain by Rama Karmokar
India as a nation takes immense pride in her age-old traditions, homegrown craftsmanship and art. The
most beautiful amalgamation of the aforementioned is perhaps found in the garment chosen by Indian
women through centuries - the saree. When we think of India and Indian women- the imagery is always
about her tremendous grace, humility, timeless beauty, intelligence and most definitely the saree.
The Swadeshi Movement, Handlooms and Sarees
Handlooms and handwoven textiles have been at the core of the Swadeshi movement in India, an
integral part of the Indian freedom movement. The movement which started on 7th August 1905 from
the Town Hall of Calcutta (now Kolkata) is now commemorated every year by celebrating the National
Handloom Day in India. It is a day of celebrating our handlooms and everything that is handmade. On
6th August, 2023 history was created on the streets of London when the first ever Saree Walkathon
was organised by British Women in Sarees (BWIS) saw around 700 women of Indian descent walking
peacefully, wearing handloom sarees from different Indian states showcasing their cultural legacy and
handwoven traditions. From the Town Hall in Calcutta of 1905 to the London of today, our handlooms
have come a long way and we are proud of the saree sisterhood that this movement has propagated.
BWIS- Origin and Aspirations
Dialogue Diaries
BWIS was formed by Dr Dipti Jain out of the idea that today’s women of Indian/South Asian descent,
believe in nurturing their roots while traversing the world beyond their cocoon in a saree, while
redefining the codes of power dressing. It is a group of empowered women who take pride in flaunting
sarees and representing the unique cultural melting pot that each of these weaves represent. BWIS was
also instrumental in organising the immensely successful event at the Ladies Day Royal Ascot Races on
16th June 2022 where around 1000 ladies of South Asian lineage , struck a fine balance between their
sarees and fascinators. The proceeds from the event were given to a K(n)atha weaving artist residing in
Nanoor, a small village in West Bengal, India.
Rama Karmokar spoke to Dr. Dipti Jain on her motivation to organise this Walkathon. Below are
excerpts from their conversation:
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Rama: The London Saree Walkathon looks so vibrant. Congratulations. How was it conceived?
Deepti: The idea was born when I attended the London Marathon this year in a saree and everyone
was very curious about the drape which sowed the seeds of the idea in my mind. If only we could do
something similar in our Handloom weaves and walk the streets of London , what better way to capture
the attention of the world! This idea caught on in our group and the coinage of Word “Walkathon “
emerged
Rama: What was the aim of the walk?
Deepti: To organise a group of ladies passionate about our national heritage , the Saree and bring
them together to showcase it . I would not normally have mustered the courage to walk the streets of
London without the support of our saree lovers group.
To unite the regional representation under the aegis of British Women in Sarees. To showcase the variety
of weaves and craftsmanship of our age old traditional drapes. To raise funds for the weaver and artisan
community to support sustainable and eco friendly businesses
Rama: How many women walked?
Deepti: Initially we had aimed for 300 women, but we couldn’t stop the many more very eager ladies
who were keen to join and so on the day we had 700 registered attendees, and many hundred supporters
who turned up in sarees .
Rama: We heard women traveled from different parts of the world to be a part of it. That must
have been very fulfilling.
Deepti: Yes it was. We had representation from all over United Kingdom and from India, Europe
Middle East, United States and Canada
Rama: This must have required a lot of planning. Tell us about putting this together.
Deepti: Yes any event in Central London needs lot of thought in planning. Various application processes
need to be made to various councils ,Greater London authorities and metropolitan police and we also
had to cover the event with a hefty 10 million pound damage insurance policy as per guidelines.
Rama: What were the challenges?
Deepti: Bringing the ladies together in such a short time from different regional state wise groups and to
practice the song and dance routines through zoom . We had practiced 21 songs in total of various genre,
folk songs, religious, nationalistic and of-course one cannot escape Bollywood songs .
Rama: Are you personally a sari lover? Do you have a favourite?
Deepti: I am a most passionate “Sareesta “ . In the last 7-8 years I have taken sarees with me in all my
travels across the world,as I am an avid traveller. I have showcased it in front of famous monuments,
all over Europe , even in places like the heart of Slovenia and other countries who have never heard of
an Indian drape called a Saree! I have raised awareness during my treks to mountains , on cruises ,
beaches , everywhere .
My favourite is the fusion style! I firmly believe that if you need to attract and promote the saree , then
you have to do it in such a way that it appeals to all generations. So I try to use innovative ways to
achieve this, by using classic heirlooms but giving them a modern twist in unique draping styles.
Rama: Which sari did you wear?
Deepti: I wore a beautiful Jamdani from a weaver
Rama: What was the idea behind forming 'British Women in Sarees'? How old is it?
Deepti: My love of saree grew over the last few years and my friends are always curious about my social
media posts relating to the “saree goes international” projects .
I joined several saree groups myself and gradually united UK wide Doctors under the banner of “Doctors
and Sarees” . Subsequently I formed a medicos Charity organisation and organised events . Following
on from this many other non medicos wanted to join the group of saree lovers, so i formed a wider, more
inclusive social media group which is now 2.6 K strong and growing stronger every day.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
32
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
I initiated and organised the Royal Ascot Event Ladies Day last year where 1000 ladies in sarees and
Fascinators attended the event. This captured the attention of the fashion world and raised the profile
of our weaver community on an international platform. The funds raised went to a rural artisan who
had embroidered my unique saree! My saree was much appreciated all over the world as it showcased
the London skyline and the Kolkata skyline on the border of the saree and the Union Jack flag . There
were iconic London monuments as well as the Queen’s face also embroidered on the saree.
We had also prepared a gift for the late majesty, the Queen which was a stole with her face beautifully
embroidered on it!
Rama: What are your future plans?
Deepti: “ Saree goes International “ is my pet project as I have combined my passion for both Travel and
Sareeing. I had taken the Saree loving group to “ Sareeing in Keukenhoff Tulip fields” as “Dekha ek
Khwab “series in Netherlands and attended the Venice Masquerade Festival as an event called “Masks
and Sarees “which captured a lot of attention from professional photographers .
Rama: What next?
Deepti: We have plans of “Sarees with Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia , Turkey" in October 2023 with
100 ladies and perhaps a Times Square Walkathon to the Statue of Liberty in New York next year.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
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Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
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UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
34
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Surviving
A single Indian woman’s battle against prejudice and betrayal
Sumita Mukherjee in conversation with Dr. Sneh Lata Mathur
Meeting an inspirational person is like encountering a guiding star amidst life's journeys. They exude
an aura of wisdom and resilience, igniting a spark of motivation within us. Their stories of triumph over
adversity and relentless pursuit of their dreams act as a beacon of hope.
Durga Puja is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. On this occasion, I would like to share the
story of one such inspirational person - Dr Sneh Lata Mathur. Lata aunty, as I call her affectionately,
is the mother of my classmate, Monika. I wished to interview her so that she could share her story of
overcoming difficult situations, with the aim of inspiring others .
Sumita: Lata aunty, your journey is unique and filled with experiences that have
shaped who you are today. Your story has the potential to inspire and empower
others who might be facing similar challenges.Would you please consider sharing it
with us ?
Lata: Yes, of course. I have written a book on my life ‘Surviving’ which has been sold
for charity.I was born and brought up in a very progressive family. My father was an
IAS officer and mother, a housewife. I was the eldest of 8 siblings. My grandfather
was a doctor and my family was very modern and supportive.I had a happy and
fulfilling childhood. I had never experienced sadness, anxiety or stress until I got
married. I did my MBBS in 1968 and MD in 1973 from the University of Rajasthan,
Jaipur. I worked in the Department of Pharmacology from 1969 to 1974 in S.M.S.
Medical College, Jaipur and JLN Medical College, Ajmer.
I had an arranged marriage in 1971. While my parents were liaising with the groom’s family, they were
informed that he is an Engineer and going to the USA soon on an assignment. After the marriage it
transpired that none of this was true.He did not have a job whereas I was already in a senior role. My
in-laws were very narrow-minded. Monika was born in 1972 and my mother-in-law was not happy that
I had given birth to a girl.
Sumita: Oh, so it must have been very difficult for you to adjust.
Lata: I was somehow managing. My real trouble started when I got to know that my husband’s brother
had a relationship with a girl who happened to be the sister of one of my students. They had a child
outside marriage, and my brother-in-law was not ready to marry her. My student requested me to help
his sister. Being from a progressive family and a woman myself, I wanted to help and support this girl.
This did not go down well with my in-laws. My mother-in-Law used to find excuses to instigate my
husband to raise hands on me. My husband was completely under the control of his mother.This abuse
continued for some time. Then they did something drastic. They tried to kill me 3 times by poisoning
me. I survived the first two times but on the third occasion , I was hospitalised. At this time, my father
came with a solicitor to take me home . He said, ‘if they succeed in killing you next time, what will
happen to your 2 month-old daughter’. It was then that the gravity of the situation struck me and I
realised that I could not live under these circumstances. So,I went home with him.
Sumita: I am getting goosebumps by listening to your story and your suffering. Incredible!
Lata: Monika was only 2 months old, but my husband and Mother-in-Law refused to send her with us.
It took us 2 months to bring Monika back to me through a court order. I was reunited with my daughter
when she was 4 months old. We went up to Supreme court, but my husband won the case and got
custody of Monika. In those days, even the law was more lenient towards men. Although he got custody
of Monika , he never bothered to keep contact with her. Monika lived with my parents for a few years
after that. In the meantime, I got a job in clinical medicine in the North of England. My husband said,
‘If you go to the UK, I will come to you as my mother will not allow us here to live together’. I was sad to
be separated from my daughter, but I realised that to take care of my daughter in future, I needed to be
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
35
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
financially stable and safe. I came to the UK to save my marriage but that never happened.
Sumita: That was a courageous move on your part .
Lata: While my husband maintained no contact with Monika, he obstructed her from coming to me.
My divorce was granted in March 1979. In May 1979, my father took permission from the court and
sent Monika to the UK. Although I came to the UK in November 1974, it took me 5 years to bring my
daughter to live with me. When she reached the UK, I made her a ward of court to safeguard her from
my husband as he threatened to abduct her!
Sumita: What experiences were evolving during your professional journey?
Lata: Although I was initially in hospital medicine, due to the challenges of being a single parent and
working unsocial hours, I finally converted to GP training. I faced a lot of challenges within the GP
practice that I initially worked in, so I left and started my own practice with another GP friend. There
were a lot of struggles, but I had good neighbours who supported me like a family. Though I live in
Reading now, I still go to meet them regularly.
Sumita: Tell me about your struggle to manage your career and
raise Monika as a single mother.
Lata: My friends advised me to put Monika into a private school as
it would be safe for her. We didn’t have a lot of money . The doctors
were not paid well compared to now. To be able to afford Monika’s
private school fees, I needed to earn extra money. I used to do my
sessions as a GP in the day and undertook extra hours of night duty
. I used to take Monika with me in a sleeping bag to attend out
of hours calls as I could not leave her alone in the house. I could
never attend her parent teacher’s meetings as I was always working.
When I had weekend duties, my friends looked after Monika. The
headmistress and teachers in Monika’s school helped me and they
kept her with them during holidays so I could go to work. It was
heartbreaking for me to think that Monika was missing my presence
in her school meetings unlike other children. Although life was very
difficult when Monika was growing up, I never felt alone because of
the positive attitude and support of my parents, grandparents and
help from my neighbours. I have never let Monika feel the absence
of a father in her life.
Sumita: Did you ever want to remarry?
Lata: There was always a desire that I would have a home with a loving man but as a GP I came across
a lot of horror stories involving my patients, where second marriages compromised the safety of the
children.So I decided to raise Monika on my own. Monika got admission to Cardiff University to study
medicine , and she stayed with me during her MBBS studies.Subsequentlyshe completed her training
and is now a GP.
Sumita: Thank you for telling me your story of 49 years in 49 minutes. Do you have a message for
women who might be in the same situation as you?
Lata: The most important thing in life is self confidence and trust in yourself. Believe in God almighty.
You don’t have to go anywhere to find God, the real religion is humanity. Be kind, helpful and supportive
and be strong in difficult situations. Life is too short, make it worth it. If I can make anybody’s life better
through my story and I can inspire them to face the difficulties, I am happy to be contacted to give any
advice.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
36
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Passport Pursuits
Visit to Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir
Suman (Tim) and Mousumi Das
We (Tim and Mousumi) had the good fortune to visit Mata Vaishnodevi temple
for the first time in September 2022. After days of excited anticipation, we took an
early morning flight from Kolkata to Jammu with a couple of hours changeover
in Delhi, arriving in Jammu airport around 1.30PM. A two-hour taxi ride (heavy
traffic) brought us to Katra, the gateway to Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir.
After a quick freshening up and picking up a local Airtel SIM card, we started
our trek around 5PM. Security is strict, all permits (Yatra Parchi) are checked
carefully at the entrance gate. The track was clean, covered and nicely paved but
on a constant incline which made it quite strenuous as we walked up (so a few
kms daily walk for two or three weeks prior to embarking on the pilgrimage is
highly recommended). Despite hundreds of pilgrims making their journeys up to
Mata or returning from their visits, there was a genuine sense of spirituality and
calmness in the air with devotional music being played in the shops and singing
by groups of yatris along the way creating a real festive mela atmosphere to lift everyone’s spirits
to conquer the climb. You could feel the mood of anticipation amongst the yatris going up, and take
comfort from the words of encouragements from those walking down. People of all ages, from the very
young to the very elderly from all walks of life were moving together for a common desire to see Mata
Vaishnodevi. Along the way there were numerous places to stop and
have a bite or cool drink, visit the loo (Indian style toilets and usually
wet), dress up in Kashmiri costume and have a photoshoot or simply
sit back on a sofa to have a back or foot massage.
We took our time walking up the well-lit path for the first 6km to
Ardhkuwari, roughly the midpoint of the trek, sharing the path
with devotees on foot and those on ponies. The sun had gone down,
it was cooler with an occasional gentle breeze with the twinkling
lights of Katra down below. Around 10PM, we took a battery car from
Ardhkuwari for a 20-25 minutes ride to Bhawan (7km), glad we did
that as this part of the route is steeper.
At Bhawan, we left all our belongings (everything including mobiles, money, bag) in a lockable locker
and walked the last 1km to one of the five gates of the Mandir. It was
11PM as we joined the long narrow gated path to the shrine. There were
police everywhere to guide you, and they were very polite and helpful.
Fortunately, the Mandir was less crowded at that time and we felt so
blessed to have had a good few minutes to ourselves in front of Mata
Vaishnodevi for our darshan and prayers (normally you get a few seconds).
We even got a flower from Mata’s feet, it was such a sublime experience
with a real sense of achievement, hard to explain in words.
After our darshan, we came out of the Mandir and had dinner at midnight
at one of the many eating places on site, where the simple vegetarian food
tasted heavenly (we were tired and hungry by then). After a short rest, we
started walking down the 13-14km journey back to Katra (no battery car after 10PM). Took us about 6
hours to walk down. It was a hard walk down after a long day, the last 2-3kms got really tough. It was
an exhilarating and spiritually fulfilling trip, well worth the effort.
We have shared some practical tips to visit Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir below, we hope you find these
useful.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
37
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir, is located in Katra in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in
Northern India, is visited by thousands of devotees every day. The Mandir is open all year 24/7
every day. Always use the official Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir website (https://www.maavaishnodevi.
org/) and contact details for the latest and most up to date information.
Official Call centre: +911991234804, WhatsApp:
+919906019494, Email: dm_enquiry@
maavaishnodevi.net
How to reach Jammu and Katra?
By train: Jammu and Katra stations are served by
trains (check Indian Railways website https://www.
irctc.co.in/ for details)
By Air: Air India, Vistara, Indigo, Spicejet fly
to Jammu (check airline websites for latest
information)
By road: about two hours from Jammu – taxis
easily available
Pick up a local SIM card – Airtel SIM cards were Rs300 each in Sep 2022
You will need to buy up a local SIM card from Jammu or Katra as SIM cards from rest of India or abroad
do not work in Jammu & Kashmir. We bought ours from the Airtel counter inside the Niharika Complex
next to Katra Bus Stand.
Where to stay in Katra?
There are many private hotels in Katra to suit all budgets. The internet is a good place to research and
book accommodation.
Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir Trust offer limited accommodation in Katra and Bhawan. These are popular
and gets booked from 60 days in advance on https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/. Card payment accepted.
Yatra Parchi – mandatory permit to visit the Mandir - no Yatra Parchi, no entry
Each devotee (including children) needs a Yatra Parchi to enter the main gate to start the walk to the
Mandir or take a helicopter flight. The Yatri Parchi has details of each devotee’s name and contact
details.
You can book Yatra Parchi online in advance (https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/)
Yatries registered through Online mode should collect RFID yatra access card before commencement of
yatra from Yatra Registration Counter (YRC) located at Katra Bus Stand, Railway Station, Niharika
Complex, Counter No.02, Serli Helipad) and Vaishnavi Dham Jammu & Jammu Airport.
How to reach Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir from Katra?
Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir is located at the top of a steep hill. Katra is at the base of that hill.
• Walking: The traditional way to reach the Mandir. Take an autorickshaw from the centre of Katra
to the main gate where you will show your Yatra Parchi to start to your walk. The walking track
which is about 13km long and is open 24/7 365 days a year. The track is covered (to shelter from rain),
is regularly cleaned by Mandir employees and has frequent shops selling refreshments and puja
samagris. Ponies, palkis and pedestrians share the first 6km of the track from Katra to Ardhkuwari,
then there is a new track covering the next 7km to Bhawan where ponies are not allowed.
• Horse/pony/palki: available to hire (haggle your price) to take you all the way to Bhawan and
back. Ponies follow the old track from Bhawan to Ardhkuwari.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
38
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
• Battery cars: book up to 60 days in advance on the official website (https://www.maavaishnodevi.
org/). Walk or take a horse from Katra to Ardhkuwari (6km), then take a battery car from Ardhkuwari
to Bhawan (7km). Battery cars operate at fixed times between Ardhkuwari and Bhawan, check
website for latest times.
• Helicopter flight: book up to 60 days in advance, check latest schedule on the official website (https://
www.maavaishnodevi.org/). Do not use any other unofficial channel to book helicopter flights. Katra
helipad is at Udhampur Road, 2km from Katra Bus Stand. Helicopters fly to Sanjhichatt helipad
which is about 2.5km from Bhawan and takes around 30 minutes to reach on foot. Ponies, Palkis and
Porter services are available to hire at Sanjhichatt helipad to reach Bhawan and back.
Bhawan
All devotees either walking up the hill, riding on ponies or using a helicopter reach Bhawan.
The Mandir is about 1km from Bhawan, and everyone has to walk this last 1km to reach the gates of the
Mandir. At Bhawan there are lockable left luggage facilities to leave your belongings (shoes, handbags,
mobiles, money, luggage, etc). Nothing (other than puja samagri) is allowed inside the Mandir complex.
The Mandir
To manage the crowds (it can be very busy at certain days and times), there are five entrances to the
Mandir. Join the queue at any of these entrances and you will eventually reach the place where Mata
Vaishnodevi idols are situated. Depending on how busy the crowds are, you may only have a few seconds
for your darshan, please bear that it mind. Only use the official website https://www.maavaishnodevi.
org/ to book individual special poojas.
The Bhairon Temple
There is also the Bhairon Temple to visit, accessed from Bhawan by ropeway (8am to 6pm), please check
times in advance.
Enjoy your visit to Mata Vaishnodevi Mandir.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
39
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
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40
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Uros - The Eternally Floating Islands on Lake Titicaca
Dr. Sonali Guha
After meticulous planning, this year marked our journey to Peru. After
enthralling visits to the Nazca Lines, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu,
we set our sights on Puno. At the crack of dawn, we embarked on a boat
to explore Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable
lake globally, believed to be millions of years
old. Sitting at an altitude of 12,500 feet, it spans
the border between Bolivia and Peru.
Though our itinerary hinted at our visit to the
man-made islands, nothing prepared me for the
breathtaking sight that awaited. Stepping foot
onto one of the islands left me speechless; I had not fathomed encountering
something of this nature. The "Floating Islands," ingeniously crafted by the
Uros people using layers of cut totora reeds, stood before us. Their count
totalled 60-70.
According to local legend, the Uru people, originally from the Amazon,
migrated to the Lake Titicaca region in the pre-
Columbian era. Faced with oppression from the local
populace and an inability to secure their own land,
they devised a solution. Constructing these sedge
islands provided them mobility, allowing them to move into deeper waters or
to different parts of the lake, safeguarded
from their adversarial neighbours on land.
These islands, many of them adorned in a
golden hue, often measure around 50 by 50
feet. Each holds thatched houses, typically
belonging to an extended family. Some even
feature watchtowers and other structures,
all constructed from the same reeds.
Warm smiles from the inhabitants greeted
us, and we were free to explore their homes. The family's patriarch guided us through a demonstration
of island construction, highlighting the use of roots at the base and successive reed layers on top.
We were invited into their huts, impeccably clean and witnessed an elderly
lady cooking breakfast – a fresh fish and potato stew – on a pottery stove. We
indulged in shopping, purchasing beautiful textiles and jewellery fashioned by
the islanders.
We discovered that they navigate the lake using reed-made boats, travelling to
other islands as needed. While some of the children attend elementary schools
on specific islands, older youths pursue education at schools and universities
on the main island. Impressively, they have embraced modern technology,
incorporating solar panels to power lights,
television and radio.
As an obstetrician, I could not help but inquire
about their healthcare practices for childbirth
and illness. We learned that traditional midwives
oversee home deliveries, whilst for ailments they rely on traditional
medicine. Astonishingly, they have thrived without the need for doctors.
My time on the Uros Islands was enchanting beyond words, particularly
a fantastic ride on one of their vibrant boats, etching an unforgettable
experience in my heart before bidding farewell.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
41
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Transformation
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Embracing Personal Power
Abha Sandhil
On the radiant day of May 26th, 2023, the stage was set, the lights were aglow, and I stood before the
world as a beacon of transformation at the prestigious Mrs/Miss Asia Great Britain event, presented
exclusively by AGLP Enterprises LTD. The honor of being a finalist for this coveted title was a privilege
that marked the culmination of a profound personal journey. A journey that was ignited and propelled
forward by the incredible superpower I’ve had by my side all along – my parents.
For those who once knew me as the quiet, reserved individual, the person I am today might seem like
a revelation. A few years ago, I grappled with the shackles of self-doubt, believing in a set of limiting
thoughts that confined my true potential. Within me resided beliefs that dictated my actions:
I had nothing significant to say.
My voice was inconsequential.
I was too different to be understood.
Life was challenging due to my brother’s special needs.
Sharing my struggles would invite pity, not empathy.
Acceptance and value were elusive.
Yet, within those depths, a realization surfaced – these beliefs were not my destiny; they were merely
reflections of my past. The subconscious mind, which operates silently in the background, stores these
notions that take root in our early years. But we are not beholden to them; we have the power to rewrite
our story.
Transforming Pain into Power
I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, recognizing that my upbringing had endowed me with the
strength to combat the shadows of doubt. My parents, unwavering in their love, taught me to overcome
obstacles with resilience and to embrace every facet of my identity. They fortified my spirit, enabling me
to shatter the chains of self-imposed limitations.
Behind the facade of a smiling exterior lay pain, resentment, and a lingering unhappiness. The journey
I embarked on was not about masking my emotions but rather about conquering them. Those negative
feelings guided me toward self-sabotage, preventing me from achieving my aspirations in career,
relationships, and personal growth.
A Profound Shift in Perspective
The day of the grand finale was not just a moment; it was the culmination of years of self-work,
introspection, and growth. As I stepped onto that stage, I embodied my full power. No longer captive to
outdated beliefs, I walked with the understanding that my beliefs were within my control. I had chosen
new, empowering beliefs for myself.
The love, trust, and unwavering support of my parents propelled me forward. Their belief in me ignited
the flame of my self-belief, guiding me toward a brighter path. Today, I stand as a testament to the
transformation that can be achieved when love and belief form the foundation.
A New Paradigm of Belief
The beliefs that once shackled me have been replaced:
I am deserving of happiness.
I am unique, and that’s my strength.
I am loved, understood, and valued.
I am capable of achieving greatness.
I am enough, just as I am.
Today, I’m the artist of my life, crafting a masterpiece that radiates confidence, resilience, and
unwavering self-love. I’ve shifted from being a spectator in my life’s journey to taking the reins as the
author, director, and protagonist of my own story.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
42
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Empowering the Journey Ahead
As I bask in the glow of this personal triumph, I extend a hand to those navigating their own path
of transformation. Our beliefs hold immense power; they are the architects of our reality. Just as I
dismantled my limiting beliefs, you too can sculpt your destiny by redefining your narrative.
Conclusion: A New Dawn of Empowerment
Welcome to a world transformed – a world of vibrant self-love, unlimited potential, and unyielding
belief. The journey of personal growth is a testament to the unbreakable spirit that resides within each
of us. My story is a reminder that with determination, introspection, and support, anyone can break free
from the chains of self-doubt and unveil their true power.
I stand as a living embodiment of that power, radiating positivity, resilience, and boundless joy. The
journey is not always easy, but it is undoubtedly worth it. Today, I extend my hand to you, a fellow
traveler, inviting you to take that courageous step towards rewriting your beliefs and unlocking your
extraordinary potential. Your transformation begins now. Embrace it, for you are a force to be reckoned
with.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
43
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Kids Kronicles
The Last Voyage
Diyasha Mukherjee (Age 10)
“Help!” Panic-stricken cries fill the air and the scent of fear coats the ship. I feel my boots slip over
the edge as razor-sharp enemy arrows pierce through my heart. The Icelandic waters desperately try
to freeze my oozing blood. Helplessly, I see my prized Viking helmet drift away. Suddenly a vicious,
cunning rope snakes around my leg and I shriek, but only unsympathetic bubbles appear. I flail around,
but I only fall deeper into the black abyss. I regret leaving behind my homeland and family as my last
breath escapes my mouth. I hit the seafloor. Dead.
About The Last Voyage
This is Diyasha's creative writing piece, a mini-saga (story told in 100 words) which was awarded Britain’s top 10
entries & got chosen for publication in "Ancient Adventures 2022” - a book showcasing young writers' work from all
across the nation. A copy of this will remain in the National Archives of the British Library forever!
These creative writing competitions have been running across all UK primary schools since 1991 inspiring kids to
become confident and passionate writers. This year the brief given to Year 5 pupils was to write a 100 word saga
about a character from a place or event from history... and yes, use lots and lots of adjectives.
Diyasha chose to describe a viking's saga in her piece 'The Last Voyage'.
Travis’ Zoo
Aadya. P. Karmokar (Age 10)
If you ever go to Travis’ zoo,
The meerkats will give you a frightful scare!
For all they ever dream of is talking to you,
For you look interesting, and you have paid the fare.
Walk on a little further and you will see
The spotty giraffe, prancing about!
It dreams of singing, it longs to be free,
It wriggles and jiggles, just like a trout!
The fish hope to walk,
And the tiger would love to paint;
The bat wants to chalk,
And the fainting goat just hates to faint.
For every animal in Travis’ zoo,
There is a dream, a hope to come true.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
44
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
45
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
The path of my river
Anika Maheshwari (Age 9)
Slow as a sloth,
I flow of gleaming water,
Over the admirable mountain hills.
I become as fast as a cheetah,
Taking soil as I go,
Now everything looks blurry,
But I still rush, still go.
Now I’ve Reached the ground,
Swaying as I ride,
Tributaries come and leave,
Without even a sound.
Then I meet meanders,
Curves in my path,
Whirling, twirling and curling,
Ruining my bath.
Some are cut off,
Some stay,
Some take me away and away.
I reach to the mouth,
To the ocean’s tide,
I end my gleaming waters,
With endless pride….
Back Home
Debaditya Kumar Chatterjee (Age 13)
In lands afar, where memories reside,
A non-stop yearning stirs deep in our hearts,
We go there to explore our ancestral guide,
Then feast our eyes on a variety of arts.
In India lives our fascinating culture,
The food, language and friendly smiles,
The amazing textiles, oh what a texture,
And the singing and dancing, coming in many different styles.
The sweet and spicy smell blows my mind,
As I walk down the bustling bazaars and streets,
People may ask, “ What can I find? “
There’s everything, from spices to sweets and friendly greets.
Sharing stories, history and a gentle cheer,
Closes the gap of distance, time and space,
We enjoy the empowering love growing each passing year,
The family bonds turn into an eternal embrace.
I can’t forget the Indian athletes, so strong and bold,
Resilient spirits, stories untold,
From Mary Kom’s punches and P.V. Sindhu’s smashes,
They’re the devotees of sport, warriors of their game,
Kohli’s master-strokes and the way Milkha dashes,
These sportsmen now highlight their names in fame.
So, let us return to our dear motherland,
To embrace the past and create memories anew,
For in the clasp of our relatives’ hand,
We rediscover our own spirits too…..
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
46
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
As seen on
Channel 4
“Its like having your very own Indian Auntie fill your
freezer with exquisite foods”- Nigella Lawson
Award Winning Indian Meals, Bespoke
Catering and the best Indian Street Food
Cafe in Town!
w w w . m a n d i r a s k i t c h e n . c o m
S i l e n t P o o l , S h e r e R o a d , A l b u r y G U 5 9 B W
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
47
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Water Walk
Prisha Rastogi (Age 10)
At one
mile, I wonder
if you have to walk
miles to your water
every day, or, is it just a
step away to a tap or a shower
with water flowing and undulating
with ease. Maybe you are having a bath
or getting a drink of water as you start your
day. At two miles, I feel my arms start to ache
and my head starts to hurt as I imagine you at school
with your water bottle by your side full to the brim, while
you are free of any disease or poverty. At three miles I feel my
thirst claw at my throat and I contemplate if you ever experience
this or do you take a swig of your water beside you? Maybe you take it
from the water station just around the corner. At four miles, my clothes
start to itch and my teeth hurt too. I wish I could be you right now, wearing
clothes that are washed in clean water, stain and sweat free. As I prepare
for the four mile journey back to my home, I wonder if you are seeing
yourself in a mirror, washed, clean, and smiling a toothy grin with
your shiny white teeth. And I continue my journey
back through the scorching heat.
Durga kills Mahishasura
Anika Challa (Age 9)
In the form of a buffalo, powerful Mahishasura charges forth in anger,
He trampled Durga's army becoming eager,
Durga looked, became enraged, and threw a strap at him,
Mahishasura stopped and transformed into a lion as the sky became dim,
With her trident, Durga chopped off the lion's head,
It wasn't surprising that he wasn’t dead
Mahishasura then transformed into an elephant and attacked Durga’s mount,
And she hit his trunk without count,
Mahishasura charged at her once again,
Durga pinned him down with her foot on one half of his body – the main,
Then Durga raised her sword and killed Mahishasura,
All the army vanished from the side of the Asura.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
48
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
49
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Canvas Creations
Dr. Joyanto Kumar Choudhury
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
50
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Ashmi Das (13yrs)
Ashmi Chatterjee (8yrs)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Debanjona Chatterjee (7yrs)
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
51
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Abhika Joshi (8yrs)
Ashmi Chatterjee (8yrs)
Param Karmokar (5yrs)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
52
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Akshatha Mhatre (5yrs)
Aadya Karmokar (10yrs)
Raayna Sachdev (9yrs)
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
53
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Frame ‘n’ Focus
Norway Landscapes by Dr. Sanjoy Basu
Dartford Bridge by Deepali Maheshwari
UK Hindu Cultural Association
Blue Butterfly by Anika
Maheshwari
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
54
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
55
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Green Chilli Pickle by Sumita Mukherjee
This pickle is a nostalgia for me as my mum used to make it. So, in a way I have grown up with it. It is
a very simple yet a very tasty pickle with only a few ingredients.
Ingredients
• Green chillies – 100 grams
• Garlic bulbs – 4
• Raw turmeric root (optional) - 1
• Amchur (dry mango powder) – 100 grams
• Mustard oil – 350 grams
• Salt as per taste
• Sunny days - 2
Method of Preparation
• Make this pickle only when you have at least
one full sunny day.
• Make this in the morning so it gets a full day
of sun on the first day.
• Buy fresh green chillies. Don’t use chillies
that were bought a few days ago.
• Wash them and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
• Lay them on a dry kitchen towel to absorb any remaining moisture.
• Cut them in 2-3 pieces each.
• Peel the garlic cloves and cut them into half.
• Peel and chop raw turmeric roots. This is optional. Sometimes I make the pickle with only chillies
and garlic.
• Take a wide glass bowl.
• Put the pieces of chillies, garlic, and turmeric in the bowl.
• Add amchur and salt.
• Add mustard oil and mix well.
• Cover the bowl with a muslin cloth and put it in the sun for the whole day.
• In the evening, stir it properly with a wooden spoon to mix the oil again.
• Next day, repeat the same procedure of putting the bowl out in the sun and bring it back in the
evening.
• Stir it and leave it for 3-4 days.
• Stir it once every day.
• In a few days the pickle will be ready to eat.
• Transfer it in a glass jar and store in a cool dry place.
Enjoy it with your meal.
Khana Khazana
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
56
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
ukhca.info@gmail.com
57
Sharodiya Durga Puja 2023
শারদীয়া দুর্গোৎসব ১৪৩০
Daal Gosht by Debesh Mukherjee
Ingredients
• Mutton with bones – 1250 grams
• Chana daal – 250 grams
• Onions – 4
• Ginger garlic paste - 2 tbsp
• Red chilli powder – 2 tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Garam masala powder
• Salt – 1 tbsp
• Mustard oil – 150 grams
• Chillies, ginger & coriander for garnish
• Whole spices as below
• Bay leaves – 2, Cinnamon sticks
– 3 inches, Green cardamom –
10, Black cardamom – 4, Black
peppercorns – 1 tsp, Cumin
seeds – 1 tsp, Coriander powder,
Cloves – 8, Mace flower (Javitri) – 1
Method of preparation
• Wash chana daal thoroughly and keep it aside.
• Wash the mutton thoroughly. Put it in a pan.
• Add sliced onions, whole spices, turmeric powder, chilli powder, salt, ginger garlic paste and mustard
oil to the mutton.
• Mix all the ingredients well for at least 2-3 minutes until the pieces of mutton are coated in spices
and oil.
• Put the pan on low heat.
• Cover it and cook until the mutton releases its water.
• Check it every 10 minutes, stir well and fry until oil separates.
• Add 2 spoons of coriander powder in the meat.
• Add 6 teaspoons of yoghurt.
• Keep the heat on medium and stir continuously.
• Remember to stir it continuously for 2 minutes otherwise the yoghurt will curdle, and ruin the look
of the dish.
• Keep frying for 4-5 minutes.
• Switch off the flame.
• Now add washed chana daal in a pressure cooker or instant pot. I use an instant pot.
• Add the prepared mutton and mix well.
• Add 2-3 cups of water and cook for 25 minutes on high pressure. The cooking time and quantity of
water will vary as per your requirement.
• Once cooked, add garam masala powder and mix well.
• I grind my own garam masala at home. You can use the ready-made garam masala.
• Lentils tend to become thicker once they cool down, so add water, if necessary, mix well and bring
it to boil.
• Garnish it with chopped coriander, green chillies, and juliennes of ginger.
• Daal gosht is ready to be enjoyed with roti or paratha.
UK Hindu Cultural Association
www.ukhca.community
ukhca.info@gmail.com
Registered UK Charity No. 1069932
58
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