Shillong abuzz with activities as Durga Puja begins

SHILLONG:  As the annual Durga Puja festival gets underway   Shillong city is buzzing with activities besides getting decorated with glitzy Puja pandals

Though  the crowd was quite less on the first day of puja, yet people of all ages thronged different puja pandals amidst strong deployment of police personnel.

Central Puja Committee, General Secretary, JL Das said that there were altogether 232 puja pandals in the state including 123  in Khasi and Jaintia Hills and  109  in Garo Hills.

He also informed that the Central Puja Committee (CPC) would hold its Annual S.K.Das Memorial Drum-Beat Competitions ( Group & Individuals) on October18 at 10.30 a.m. at Puja Pandal of  R.R.Colony Durga Puja Pandal, Shillong.

LIke previous years, this year also CPC will organise competitions among Durga Puja Pandals of Greater Shillong on different categories Viz. Idols, Decoration , Illumination,  Puja Souvenir, Cleanliness , Discipline ,  Reception &  Hospitality and Best Immersion Procession.

The prizes to the winning Durga Puja Pandals will be given away in a Prize distribution function to be organised by CPC immediately after Durga Puja  Festival.

It may be mentioned this year, RR Colony Saradiya Durga Puja Committee , Shillong  is Celebrating its Diomond Jubilee this year while Fency Valley committee , Tura  is celebrating Silver Jubilee  this year.

On the first day of puja, there was quite traffic in the town but traffic reduced gradually in the evening.

It may be mentioned that Shillong police has made elaborative security arrangements throughout the district including the capital Shillong to ensure peaceful celebration and they have made it a point to keep a check on instances of eve-teasing, drunken brawls and drunken driving.