Mamata Banerjee inagurated record no.of 1200+ “Sharad Utsav : Durga Puja” in 2023

Partha Roy, Kolkata: Shri Indranil Sen West Bengal Information Minister announced “Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman” awards on Panchumi of Shardiya Durga Puja instead of Sasti as was practiced till last yearon 19th October2023 in Kolkata.

Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman was started by Government of West Bengal in 2013 on the initiative of visionary leader Smt. Mamata Banerjee Chief Minister of West Bengal in her effort to enrich “Sharad Utsav” in West Bengal as well as promote arts and crafts, creativity and innovation as well as economic empowerment and to highlight West Bengal’s unique arts and crafts and rich cultural heritage on the world stage.

Last year, in 2022, UNESCO recognised Durga Puja as “Intangible Heritage of the world”. Smt. Mamata Banerjee Chief Minister of West Bengal inagurated more than 1200 “Sharad Utsav: Durga Puja” virtually in all districts of West Bengal including Kolkata and near by areas.

Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman 2023 is classified and awarded in eight categories for Kolkata and nearby areas namely KMC area, South Dum Dum Municipality, Baranagar Municipality, Bidhannagar Municipality, Howrah Municipality. No.of awards for each category given to various puja committees for above areas are : 1)•• Serar Sera ( Best amongst the Best): 37 , 2) •• Sera Mandap (Best Pandal ): 5 , 3) •• Sera Pratima ( Best Idol ): 5 , 4) •• Sera Sabeki Puja ( Best Traditional Puja ) : 2 , 5) •• Sera Parivesh Bandhav ( Best Environment Friendly) : 13 , 6)•• Sera Bhavna (Best Concept ) : 18 , 7) •• Vishesh Puraskar ( Special Award) : 23 , 8) •• Sera Theme song : 1. Total of 104 awards given.

Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman 2023 also given to puja committees in 22 districts of the state in categories namely 1) ••Sera Puja ( Best Puja ), 2) •• Sera Pratima (Best Idol ), 3) •• Sera Mandap ( Best Pandal ), 4)••Sera Samaj Sawchetanneta ( Best Social Conscious ness ) Jury for the selection of the awardee included celebrities, intellectuals and others.

This year online nominations for awards were invited. “Durga Puja Carnival” will be organised on 27th October 2023 where nearly 100 puja committees expected to participate. Durga Puja Carnival and Durga Puja itself are becoming World’s largest Street festival and World’s largest Public Art Festival respectively and boosting tourism economy of the state.