When tradition met triumphs – an award–winning celebration of Ma Durga

SEBBA’s Puja, second time in a row, took place in collaboration with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, at the Samarthanam centre at HSR Layout between 9th-13th October 2024. Our puja dazzled hearts and won honors.

Sharad Samman from Bharatiya Bongio Samaj added feathers to our caps. We won awards in multiple categories, including ‘Best Puja’, 2nd prize for Theme and 2nd prize for Idol !

Highlights of our event :

• Pujo with a heart: SEBBA Durga Puja tagline is ‘Puja with a heart’. SEBBA’s heart and soul lie in providing every member and guest an ‘at home’ feeling, which is probably the most important factor for our culture. SEBBA embraces every guest with love and warmth, to ensure they do not miss home, and find a larger family at SEBBA. We also have a culture of inclusivity, and hence many events were kept open to all. Puja bhog was served to every guest for the entire Puja duration, without any financial charges. We also had a large variety of events that were open to all – sit and draw for children, Dhunuchi dance, Quiz contests, Sindur dan etc, and guests from all different states attended and enjoyed the events.
• Theme: SEBBA has a keen focus on Indian heritage, art and culture and we try to highlight different aspects through our Durga Puja presentations. We selected Heritage Art Dokra for 2024 Durga Puja theme and created all round Puja decoration & Idol with Dokra Art & paintings. We had collaborated with artisans from Bengal & Bengaluru to create a spectacular idol and to reflect on the beauty of Dokra art.
• Inclusivity: Inclusivity is more than a mere tagline at SEBBA. It is our motto. It lies at the core of our existence. SEBBA does not only stop at making contribution towards Samarthanam, as we believe, we need to go the extra mile to live our motto of inclusivity. 600+ Samarthanam children had daily Bhog-Prasadam with us on all days of Durga Puja and also these differently abled children displayed their special Art/ Craft & Paintings to all members and visitors at the Puja Festival Area.
• Cultural Programs : In accordance to our Theme this year, we had invited a renowned folk band from West Bengal – ‘Dhamsa-Madol’ to perform at SEBBA puja on the evening of Shashthi. On the consecutive days, we had specially curated in-house programs, including SEBBA’s junior band Saptak, agomoni program, an extravagant dance show, a witty and timeless act of Drama that was extremely well received, and magnificent musical evenings.
• Justice for RG Kar – SEBBA in solidarity : While we were celebrating Durga Puja, our heart and soul were with the doctors on hunger strike at Kolkata. Along with Durga ma, we wanted to raise our voice and concern for the basic rights and safety of all the Durgas in our society. We had put up a counter with the theme ‘Cry of the hour’ and details of the 10 demands the doctors have put forward. Candles were lit during the entire course of our Puja celebrations, as a symbol of hope, tribute and protest. Our drama was a tribute to Abhaya.
• SEBBA featured in Times Of India : SEBBA’s unique theme presentation and involvement in social activities even during Puja festivities have been noticed by media and SEBBA Puja was highlighted twice in Times Of India during the Puja weeks.
• Footfall : Our Puja had approx. 35K guests during our Puja days. Bhog was served to everyone present, along with members and Samarthanam children. The Sandhya Aarati was a huge attraction for many guests from all parts of India.