The Bong Connection….

Festivals are a part and parcel of our lifestyle. Being in a metropolitan culture I pretty much get to enjoy and celebrate most festivals. Be it Diwali or Christmas Delhi is lit up and bright and alive during the festive season.

 Being a Bengali my personal favorite Durga Puja is the one that I look forward to the most. It is perhaps my only connection to Bengal. Mention the word Pujo and any Bengali be it in any part of the word has a bright smile on his face. I begin to live the festive spirit as these ten days of celebration comes near. The October sun attains a warmth that’s welcoming and not harsh as that of the summer season .The evenings are pleasant with sudden chills running down your spine reminding you that a cup of hot coffee and a friendly gathering is all you need to call it a perfect evening.

As the Pujo days come close by the markets are flooded with sale offers. It’s a ritual to any festival that new clothes are a must…….must be a merchant’s paradise these ten days of celebration. Apart from contributing to the shopkeepers profit share we Bongs (short form of Bengalis) love the celebration of our appittite.The foodie that we are obviously the during the festive days mouth watering cuisines are savored by thousands. This time the Puja days happen to coincide with the common wealth games. Hopefully with the blessings of the goddess we shall fare well or at least like hope to. The security measures have been doubled up and Delhi has been turned into a virtual fortress. Law enforcement officers are being posted at every nook and corner. A section of the road has been devoted to those involved in the common wealth games and is off limits for the general public. Traffic stoppage time has increased immensely. Even with so much happening Bengalis and Non Bengalis alike are beaming with excitement and nothing has dampened the festive spirit. The premises of various colony associations Durga Puja are being prepared top speed. The artisans are hurrying and putting finishing touches to grand statutes of the Durga Goddess ( a Hindu   goddess who signifies strength and valor). Just for once with all of the commonwealth nations here during a festive week I feel as if the world is in sync.