R & R Colony celebrates diamond jubilee

Shillong: The R & R Colony Saradiya Utsav Samity celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on Monday evening and on the occasion 15-20 former secretaries were felicitated.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, president of R & R Colony Saradiya Utsav Samity, Nilanjan Bhattacharjee, said, “This year we have decided to felicitate all the past secretaries who are still alive. Some of them will be coming from Chennai, Kolkata and Nigeria. We have not forgotten their contribution.” One of the senior most resident, 89 -90 years of age will also be part of the felicitation.
Bhattacharjee recalled that 60 years ago, about 8-10 families decided to perform puja and started the puja in an earthen pottery (ghot puja) in 1958.
“Gradually people started coming, in 1959 idol making started and now we are here,” he said.
When asked about the theme, he said there is no such theme for this year’s celebration and the pandal has been decorated similar to a Kings Palace inside. “We want to save electric energy and to conserve energy,” he said. He informed that the puja decorators are from West Bengal and Tripura. The pandal decoration takes 2 months to be created.
Bhattacharya said that besides the Bengali community, the Punjabi, Khasi communities also contribute and participate.
Asked, on whether the R & R Colony will win the puja pandal competition again this time, he said confidently that they will win it again.
It may be mentioned that Fancy Valley Committee,Tura is also celebrating its Silver Jubilee.