-Aims to create a strategy to highlight the festival’s socio-economic impact
Kolkata 24th October 2021: Tala Prattoy, a renowned socio-cultural organisation, organised a panel discussion emphasising the global reach of the festival, its affiliated tradition, art, culture, and the socio-economic impact it creates on the people. To catapult Durga Puja to the next level of acceptance and recognition, Tala Prattoy pioneered a unique concept #Durga Pujo Go Global, a panel discussion involving luminaries from different walks of life. The festival of Durga Puja is celebrated with great fervour not only across West Bengal but across continents wherein Bengalis are present. It connects the hearts of the Bengalis worldwide.
The panel discussion witnessed eminent personalities congregating on one platform to share enlightening thoughts on #Durga Pujo Go Global. It connected exemplary speakers from a range of professions, spanning from hospitality, consulate, entertainment, and government. The panel involved speakers like Dr. Debanjan Chakrabarti Director,East & North-East India, British Council, Ms. Ananya Bhattacharya, Director, Bangla Natok Dot Com, Mr. Sayantan Maitra, an Architect, Mr. Dilip Mishra, General Manager, The Lalit Great Eastern along with Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Govt. of West Bengal, Mr. Firhad Hakim. Adding glamour to the evening, Tollywood actress Sohini Sarkar also joined the diaspora. The session was moderated by Eminent Doctor & Socio-Cultural face of India Dr. Kunal Sarkar at the puja arena of Tala Prattoy.
Durga Puja festival is a community in itself that connects people across the globe. Commencing the panel discussion Mr. Firhad Hakim, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Govt. of West Bengal, highlighted the potential of the festival has to be a global event and how it can generate huge revenue for the people at large. He presented statics to support his observations. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining proper infrastructure to attract more and more foreign tourists.
During the discussion session Dr. Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director, East & North-East India, British Council, spoke on Durga Puja as the Face of alternative economy and its impact abroad. He shared his insight on how the outcome of this festival has a phenomenal economic impact on the livelihoods of people associated with the creative industry. Many families across generations have been involved around the year in idol creation, crafts & designs, lighting etc and this festival is the source of income for many of them throughout the year.
Talking about the International attraction towards Bengal’s art, culture & tradition, Ms. Ananya Bhattacharya Director, Bangla Natok Dot Com shared her thoughts how every year thousands of artisans and craftsmen work round the clock to put together around 10,000 big and small pandals in the city, making it the greatest street-art festival on the planet. Even pandals are a good place to know what Kolkata is thinking about or protesting. Serious issues like women trafficking, child labour, tragedies all get amplified by art for people to ponder further.
Touching upon the grand structures that are created during the puja across Bengal, an architect Mr. Sayantan Maitra, highlighted the amazing work that is created every year is a sight of grandeur. He also highlighted the demand for indigenous art objects both in the domestic and international arena.
Another important aspect highlighted by Mr. Dilip Mishra, General Manager, The Lalit Great Eastern during the session was how this magnificent festival can be transformed into hospitality & festival tourism. This festival is all set to become the biggest tourism event of the
year. Through this, we can present our traditional cuisine, confectionery, hospitality to the global arena which can boost up the entire hospitality-tourism sector in Bengal.
The session was attended by many other eminent personalities and other puja committees who put in their hard work to make this event a grand success.