Ten Chinese citizens, including the Deputy Consul General of China in Kolkata, arrived in Hooghly to witness Bengal's Puja. An extraordinary scene unfolded at the Bhuipara Barowari Puja mandap in Pandua on the morning of Shashti. Some of them drew alpana, others played the dhak, and a few even tried their hand at making naru. They also witnessed the aarti of Mahishasura Mardini.
Deputy Consul General Qin Yong, along with nine others, visited this puja mandap in Pandua on this day. The entire arrangement was orchestrated by a volunteer organization. Local children welcomed them with flowers. Subsequently, the visitors played the dhak, drew alpana, and even made naru. Young children presented handmade clay idols and hand-drawn pictures as gifts to the guests.
Qin Yong remarked, “I've thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance, the puja rituals, and the warmth of the people here. It's been immensely entertaining. Bengalis make naru during Durga Puja, and today, I too participated in that. I also played the dhak. This is my first time witnessing a village Durga Puja. This day will remain etched in my memory”.
Organizer Samrat Chowdhury stated, “Everyone was delighted to attend this puja. They performed aarti and offered puja to the Mother for the first time. You see, they're accustomed to the ribbon-cutting ceremonies and grandeur of Kolkata's pujas. They desired to experience a rural Bengal puja. Coming here has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience for them”.
