“In Kolkata, we started Durga Puja carnivals by taking inspiration from Chandannagar’s Jagadhatri Puja procession. There can’t be any other place in the world that can match Chandannagar’s lighting,” said Mamata Banerjee. “In Kolkata, we started Durga Puja carnivals by taking inspiration from Chandannagar’s Jagadhatri Puja procession. There can’t be any other place in the world that can match Chandannagar’s lighting,” said Mamata Banerjee. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said Jagadhatri Puja will soon become more popular than Kolkata’s Durga Puja, and that the government would do its best to popularise it on a global level. Mamata was speaking in Chandannagar area of Hooghly at an event held by the Palpara Sarbojonin Puja Committee, which is celebrating its 75th year. DC (Headquarters) Vaibhav Tiwari, ADC (Detective Department) Swati Bhanglia, ASP Ishrat Jahan, SP Sukesh Jain, Municipal Corporation Chairman Sapan Kundu, SDO Sana Akhtar and other eminent personalities were present during the programme. “In Kolkata, we started Durga Puja carnivals by taking inspiration from Chandannagar’s Jagadhatri Puja procession. There can’t be any other place in the world that can match Chandannagar’s lighting,” said Mamata. “The day isn’t far when Chandannagar’s Jagadhatri Puja will beat the standard of Durga Puja in Kolkata. Soon, we will start Biswa Bangla award for puja pandals of Jagadhatri Puja. A special committee with DM (Hooghly) Jagdish Prasad Meena and Chandannagar Commissioner of Police Ajay Kumar will take the responsibility,” she added. She instructed Minister of State for Tourism, Indranil Sen, to prepare a map of Jagadhatri Puja pandals on par with current Durga Puja pandal maps and upload it on the tourism department website. As per sources, around 70 to 80 idols are likely to be part of the Jagadhatri Puja carnival this year. Indranil Sen said, “Earlier, it was through a procession, but with the initiative taken by the Chief Minister this procession will be transformed into a grand carnival. The carnival is scheduled to be held on November 18. Every year, thousands of people gather at the Grand Strand to watch the procession.” Developing stadium Meanwhile, the chief minister also announced that Chandannagar stadium would be upgraded. After her speech, she instructed Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim to allocate Rs 25 lakh to the authorities concerned for the infrastructural development of the stadium. For all the latest Kolkata News, download Indian Express App

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