Kolkata Durga puja committees focus on social issues to generate public awareness

Kolkata, Oct 16: From the daily struggles of autorickshaw drivers to trafficking and abuse of women to blatant use of child labour in hotels, Durga puja committees in Kolkata have highlighted different social issues to generate awareness among people this festive season.
At Hazra Park Sarbojonin Durgotsav, one of the oldest pujas in the city, the hand-to-mouth survival tales of autorickshaw drivers have been narrated using replicas of the green and yellow three-wheelers adorning the marquee. To give it a real feel, real-life auto drivers will interact with pandal hoppers during the puja days.
Sayandeb Chatterjee, spokesperson of the puja committee, said, “From the familiar role of auto drivers competing against each other to net passengers and haggling for exact fares, we present their humane side, working 24×7 to feed their families while juggling roles as a parent, a spouse or a son.
“Though their daily earnings are meagre, they try to keep their families happy and put in all that they can for the good education of their kids,” he added.
Auto driver Sambhu Sana, who will be felicitated at the pandal on one of the festive days, said, “We negotiate through the city streets and its alleys defying severe weather conditions. We ferry passengers from dawn till midnight. A puja committee spokesperson said, “Through models and images, we have highlighted that children should not be used in places like tea stalls and factories where they are misfits. We urge visitors to protest whenever they see a child worker in an eatery or at someone’s house working as a help.” (PTI)