The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

Hong Kong Bengali Association 1 Durga Puja 2014

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Editorial……
Dear Friends,

With profound respect I welcome you all to this year’s Maha Durgatsov, celebrated by the Hong Kong
Bengali Association. Around the popularly celebrated Chinese Mid-Autumn festival a wisp of festivity
is first felt. From then before we get to breathe from our daily routine the Navaratri begins, marking
a start of our festive season. The weather progressively improves from scorching heat to a moderate
climate creating an enjoyable atmosphere.

This year, the Hong Kong Bengali Association is conducting the 16th edition of this immensely popular
festival. Over a period the Durga Puja has appealed to a wider section of the society hence with
every passing year we see a greater participation from a varied Indian, Nepalese and local Chinese
community.

The enthusiasm from Members for performing cultural programs to contributing article/artwork in
the souvenir is heartwarming. HKBA is proud to have varied talents in the community who have made
exceptional contribution in preserving our tradition and culture in a foreign land. This year too HKBA
will be presenting cultural program in the evenings during the Puja. I extend my profound thanks to the
participants for their time and effort in putting up the show.

Organizing the Durga Puja has been possible only with the help and support of many who have
tirelessly worked in putting small pieces of details together to make the event a grand success. I take
this opportunity to thank the District Facilities Management committee of Yau Tsim Mong District
and officials of the Home Affairs Department belonging to the Hong Kong SAR Government for
their kind cooperation in making available the facilities of Henry G.Leong Community Centre
to HKBA for the Puja. I also extend my deep appreciation and thanks to all our patrons,
sponsors, friends, well-wishers and other Associations for their continued patronage
and support. I sincerely thank the HKBA Executive Committee members, for their
dedication and hard work. Finally I thank the HKBA members who have volunteered
to help and guide us on all occasions.

May the blessings of Ma Durga be on us at all times.

Bijoya Greetings & best wishes

Somdev Chatterjee
President

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Special Acknowledgements HKBA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2013 - 2015

The Hong Kong Bengali Association wishes to express its heart-felt thanks to all friends,
supporters, sponsors and well-wishers for the help they have rendered to the cause of our
Association. For this year’s Durga Puja, we especially acknowledge the contributions of
the following persons:

District Facilities Management Committee-Yau Tsim Mong

Staff Members of Henry G Leong Community Center
President Vice President General Secretary
Well wishers from Indian and Local Chinese Community
Somdev Chatterjee Anindita Bhattacharya Sanhita Ghosh (Polly)
Mr. Raymond Ho +852 3481 7179
Mr. Sohan Goenka [email protected]
Mr. Vinod Dhariwal
Ms. LIU Suk-Wa, Connie
Mr. Kanwaljeet Singh Dhillon

Pratima Shilpi
Shri Arun Paul, Kolkata

Treasurer Advisor Committee Member

Swapan Kumar Datta Dr. Prodip Putatunda Chanchal Chan

Souvenir cover design Mandap Decoration

Ujaan Das Poonam Saha

Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member

Supratim Roy Gautam Bakuly Balaram Saha

Cultural Sub-Committee Cultural Sub-Committee

Anindita Bhattacharya Sanhita Ghosh (Polly)

Souvenir Design
Lui Man Yin, Mandy Contact HKBA [email protected]
Web Site www.hkbaonline.com

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Durga Puja 2014 Program Schedule The Night Circus

Venue:
Multipurpose Hall, Henry G Leong Community Center
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.

Sasthi Monday, 29th September - Puja starts from 6:30 PM

- Prasad distribution
Sasthi Tuesday, 30th September - Puja starts from 6:30 PM
- Prasad distribution
Saptami Wednesday, 1st October - Morning Puja 10:00 – 12:00 By Debasmita Bhattacharya
- Pushpanjali 11:00-11:30
- Prasad distribution
- Evening Puja 18:00 – 19:00 The vibrantly coloured tent stood majestically on the barren field and exited townspeople rushed in at twilight,
eager to watch the performances of the mysterious travelling circus that had appeared the previous night. A
- Prasad distribution 19:00-19:30
steady hum of voices filled the tent as the spectators chattered impatiently amongst themselves, pondering
- Cultural program 19:30-20:30* when the show would begin. Suddenly, a blindingly bright spotlight shone on the centre of the slightly elevated
Astami Thursday, 2nd October - Morning Puja 10:00 – 12:00 wooden stage and a hush fell over the boisterous audience instantly, the air heavy with anticipation. Sharp
- Pushpanjali 11:00-11:30 footsteps were heard approaching the stage, the wooden floorboards creaking in protest with every step, and
- Prasad distribution a lanky figure appeared, cloaked in a satin-soft cape that swept the bottom of his silver-tipped leather boots.
He was dressed in black from head to toe and his dark, twinkling eyes seemed to hold secrets and suggest
- Sandhi Puja 18:00-19:00
that he knew something that his audience did not. He glanced at the curious spectators for a moment before
- Prasad distribution 19:00-19:30 purposefully reaching into his cape and producing, seemingly out of thin air, three curved, fine-tipped daggers.
- Cultural program 19:30-20:00*
Nabomi Friday, 3rd October - Morning Puja 10:00 – 12:00 The silver blades glinted menacingly under the harsh light as the cloaked man grasped them delicately around
- Pushpanjali 11:00-11:30 their ebony-black handles. The audience unconsciously leaned forward in their rickety seats, wondering what
they were about to witness. As soon as he was certain that all eyes were on him, he deftly tied a silky blindfold
- Prasad distribution
over his eyes with one hand and tossed the daggers up into the air with the other. The daggers spun elegantly, tips
- Evening Puja 18:00 – 19:00 pointing down, as they moved in perfect arcs over the man’s head and the audience watched with bated breath,
- Prasad distribution 19:00-19:30 aware that the most minute of mistakes could result in catastrophe. The performer continued his extraordinary
- Cultural program 19:30-20:30* juggling act, his dexterous finger a blur, as the daggers soared above him in a steady tempo, hardly seeming to
touch his hands. A sudden intake of breath was heard in the audience as three more knives were added to the
Dashami Friday, 3rd October - Puja 14:00 – 16:00
ensemble.
- Dadhi Karma
- Prasad distribution The spectators were utterly spellbound as the astounding performance, all eyes wide and jaws slack. Some
- Sindur Khela 18:00-20:00 gasped audibly as more and more of the shining knives were added to the ring of daggers gliding through the
Bijoya Sammelani Saturday, 22nd November - 6PM onward air yet not a single person dared to utter a word for fear of breaking the concentration of the talented juggler.
The children, especially, seemed to be completely entranced by the magical act.

The man did not falter, even as the spectators expressed their wonder and delight in soft ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’,
but continued juggling the dangerous looking daggers without missing a beat. He could not afford to make
mistakes. Instead, he threw more glistening knives into the ring with a flourish and wielded the instrument
meticulously. Confidence oozed from his every pore as he skillfully handled twenty knives at once. The defined
Priest: Shri Sakti Prasad Mukherjee of Kolkata muscles in his forearms began to strain and the slightest hint of beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He abruptly released all the daggers from his grasp, effectively breaking the spectators’ deep, almost hypnotic,
trance. They all glanced at each other, bewildered, before turning back to the stage, only to find that it was
empty, save for the twenty daggers lying there haphazardly, some of their fine tips sinking into the wooden
Traveling Direction to HLCC: floorboards. A few voiced their confusion, frowns adorning their lined foreheads, while others waited patiently,
Take Exit C at Yau Ma Tei MTR, turn right , walk along the Nathan Road, turn right again at the Public intrigued and eager to discover what other marvels the starry night would bring.
Square Street, the HGLCC is ahead at the intersection of Public Square Street and Shanghai Street.

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Reminiscence
Nature’s sorrows:

Awakening

By Sreya Chakrabarti

It was a boring function. There was too much loud music making people screech around to be heard while the
kids howled away. The function was arranged in an open garden during the peak of summer. Accompanied
with the scorching heat there was flashy shamianas and super spicy food. I was searching for some company
By Sourashis Bhowmick
to survive the event when I noticed Ria waving at me in the midst of the crowd. I was meeting her after a long
time, she was not a close friend but I liked her. She has always been very helpful. I remember when I had to shift
to Kolkata for a three months project she had arranged a stay for me. Glad to see her; I walked up to her. And
in a moment we started chatting and laughing away. I spent the entire day gossiping with her and some other
Millennia ago, when smoke didn’t cover the land
college friends. Dint realize how time passed away and the day came to an end. On my way back I suddenly
realized something I was meaning to ask Ria for some time, I went back to her car and asked “ by the way , how
When animals and trees lived, all for one and one for all
is Mrinalda ? “ , for a moment she looked confused , I had to remind her of him. “The helper in your Kolkata’s
house?” she replied “Last I heard he was suffering from cancer, maybe he passed away. Not sure. I’ll ask mom
When trees lived great, healthy and tall
and let you know!”
When nature could stand majestic and grand
That night I was awake for hours, whenever I would try to close my eyes I could see Mrinalda’s face. He looked
so disheartened the night I left. He requested me again and again to stay till Durga puja but I refused owing to
Now, we can hardly breathe the air
my work load and lack of interest. I still remember the first time I met him, he reminded me of the caricatures
in the Bengali poem books which my granny used to read out to me. He was short, had a funny spherical nose
Trees, tall or short, are painfully rare
and a huge belly, he was mostly bald with a few bunches of mane scattered around. The man had two major
motives in his life. One was to eat good Bengali food and the other was to gossip about all the neighbors. Dada
The world is ruined, and is going to hell
had a very interesting routine .He would wake up early in the morning make tea for himself and me and would
go to the market. There he would meet up with some of his friends and together they would go to have some
And nature shall fall, right where we dwell
greasy snack in the local sweet shop where all of them gossiped about the people in the locality, cricket and
maybe a little politics. He would return two hours later giving an exaggerated explanation as to how crowded
Man, the cause is nature’s creation.
the market was and how much he had to bargain to buy vegetables and fruits. His bargaining exaggeration
was hilarious. He would start of by saying the female shopkeeper charged an exorbitant price way higher than
God can’t save us from a life this bland
market’s standard , every customer requested her to reduce the rate but she would give them cold glares but
when dada smiled and asked her the same she would immediately drop the price for him. Dada knew very
Even if he spends 40 days flooding the land
well I would not believe even a word in the entire tale but he would still tell me with a grin and I would listen
to it with pretentious amusement. Then he would sing and oil himself in the courtyard and take bath under the
Nature’s own creation is its destruction
hand pump which was an embarrassing visual for me. Then he would cook lunch and both of us would have
lunch it together. He would give me a detailed update of everything happening in the locality. In house 13A Mr.
But I have hope, a change may be happening
Das’s son is dating Mr. Roy’s daughter from 14C. Mrs. Mukherjee’s extra marital affair. The fights residents would
have while choreographing show for puja, etc. The list was never ending. But, I would enjoy having meals with
Nature may find its awakening
him. I enjoyed having him around except for the time he would take his afternoon nap. He would lay a mat
in the hallway and lie down on it and snored away. His snoring would echo in the entire house. It was scary
and noisy at the same time. And during rainy season it would get louder than usual, I felt I had entered some
haunted house .To avoid going deaf I ordered online a pair of ear plugs to wear while he slept. It would not

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null the noise but definitely made it bearable. In the evening he would have tea and watch serials on TV. And noise and people on the road. However, when we entered the Pandal he insisted on spending the rest of the day
would always get late to serve dinner. However, he felt like family to me at that time. He would say had he had looking at the goddess. He looked peaceful and content that night when I took him home. As I put him in the
a daughter he would make sure she would grow up to be like me. He would tell me stories about his childhood bed he seemed like he wanted to say a lot of things but was too overwhelmed to speak anything.
and college days. He was strongly inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s philosophy wanted to be a storyteller but
because of family crisis he had to start working and never got time to read or write much. He even told me about The next day was called Dashami, the last day of puja. In the myths it is said that this day Ma Durga cleans the
his amusing love story. He had a crush on one of his owner’s wife, but could never approach her for obvious land from all the evil and leaves. It is believed that on this day if you pray anything to the goddess the wish gets
reasons. Though he still had faith in love and expected someday some girl would fall in love with him and ask fulfilled. That day I wore the red Saree once gifted to me by dada. I entered a temple for the first time and prayed
him for marriage. . . . for dada. I dint know what to ask for him so just wished that whatever he wants does get fulfilled. I collected
some prashad and went to his house. I saw him sleeping very peacefully. It took me awhile to realize he slept
I woke up the next day determined to get in touch with Mrinalda. No one had any clue where he was. He had forever.
long back left his job. I had no idea whether he was dead or alive but I felt the urge to meet him. He had told me
about his house which was somewhere in the outskirts of the city. I probably had the address saved in my diary.
I searched out for it, called my boss for a leave. Packed my bag and left for the airport. . . . . It was Durga Puja,
Mrinalda’s favorite moment in the whole year. I got nostalgic thinking how badly he wanted me to stay till puja.
He told me to extend my stay for just another week but I felt all these to be a waste of time. He kept saying we
will roam around see all the pandals in the city have free khichdi in the pandals. He gifted me a Saree, it was
white in color with red border, the traditional Bengali Saree. He wanted me to wear it on Dashami. I should have
listened to him!! However, coincidently I come to meet dada at the same time.

The morning was cloudy and dull indicating rain in the latter part of the day. I felt strange in the entire journey.
It had been ten years since my last visit. I never contacted dada all these while. I was not sure where he lived
neither was I sure whether he was alive. And on top of that I left all my work just to visit him. What if he did not
recognize me? It was a bizarre feeling.

The entire city was decorated like a carnival. With bright colored Pandals, beautiful light decorations and heavy
drum beats. Maybe it would sound dramatic to anyone hearing this; but during Durga puja the entire city felt like
a bride. Everything feels beautiful and vibrant. Everyone puts in their best effort to look nice in their new attires.
While I was feeling the aesthetic beauty of the occasion the driver drove me into a slum. I got down and asked
people for Dada. After a lot of searching I finally found dada’s house.

It was the corner most house, it looked isolated and sad even in the crowded street. And also it was the only
house which had no lighting or decoration on it. I knocked the door to realize it was open .I entered the house.
For a moment I felt like I entered some prison. The interior of the house looked worse than what could be
imagined from outside. There was a rotten smell of garbage; One dim light bulb hanging somewhere in the
room. There was a bed with a coughing man lying in it. I walked up to him and tears rolled out of my eyes.

Dada was alive but I wish he wasn’t. He looked so much in pain. His entire body had shrunk. His teeth had
fallen out. He looked a ghost image of the jovial fun loving man I remembered. He dint recognize me at first but
after staring at my face for a while I noticed the familiar smile popping up on his sulked face. I poured him a glass
of water and asked him about his health. He spoke out with a lot of pain. Apparently, when he was suffering from
cancer Ria’s family covered his medical expense and he recovered eventually. But the therapy had eaten away
all his health. His brother’s son looks after him by visiting him once a week and they have arranged for some
food delivery service for him. So he gets two meals a day served. The irony of his life is when he was unwell he
prayed to Ma Durga to cure him as he wanted to live and once he got cured he doesn’t want to live anymore. I
wanted to take him out and show him a few pandals but he was least interested. I even tried to tempt him with
the idea of free khichdi served in the Pandals. But he refused. Somehow after a lot of convincing he agreed to
visit the puja in his locality. I arranged for a wheelchair and took him out. He dint seem to enjoy much of the

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Fair & Lovely Modern Physics: Panchanan babu was a fabulous physics teacher. My innate interest in physics was acquired
Twice Daily from his passion with the subject. He used to live in the virtual world of physics and preferred to explain
every aspects of his life in the language of physics. Students would at times have fun of his physics addiction.
Nonetheless he commanded the subject with veritable authority. One morning as I walked into the physics
department, noticed a very brooding Panachanan babu sitting quietly at his desk. Questioningly as I looked at
him he sadly mentioned that he had a cow which has died last night and does not know now how to get good
quality milk for his two young daughters henceforth. Then abruptly he put forward his request of finding him
By Kaushik Neogy another cow similar to the one he had? I was never prepared for such grossly unconventional request and tried
to dodge it differently saying “Sir, Why to have a cow when you can get milk from the market?” He had a pitiful
Cataract Chaos: My septuagenarian grandfather deferred the cataract surgery sometime before I was born smile on his lips and said “You guys are never serious about learning physics. You do not try to see it in the
ashe wanted see his first grandchild and not be in bandaged eyes at the time of my arrival. When he first light of physics. The cow I had was jet black in color with not a single white spot in the body. You know well
saw methrough his heavily clouded cataract eye lenses he found his second generation descendant to be a that black reflects the UV rays. A large concentration of melanin in the skin protects the cow against ultraviolet
lighterskinned one. Nine months being in the amniotic fluid in my mothers womb probably failed his heavily light. Carotenoids and photo pigments both indirectly act as photo-protective pigments, as they quench oxygen
cataracteyes. His elation at his fair skinned grandchild was immediately trumpeted in our neighborhood which freeradicals. Thus the milk we got was free from any UV rays pollutants.” I stood up soundlessly and speechlessly
earned asmirk among our neighbor. He was forced into go for cataract surgery by his worthy sons soon. I could and glided across the hallway through the door in the open B looked at the scorching sun and shouted at it “I
never becalled a lighter skinned in the strictest color sense of Indian acceptance standard. Nevertheless at am impregnable. Look at my melanin content... I am inviolable indeed” I have no qualms of being dark skinned
least for once that septuagenarian man was elated to find me to be a light skinned one. Being brought up in a now.
coal mining beltwhere the majority of the persons complexion was either unnoticeable being smeared in coal
dust or of darkskinned local santhali community; my complexion was not of any consequence to anyone and I Oh Captain ! My Captain: My first job was as a sailor. As trainee stepping on board of one of the largest
assimilatedcomfortably there in childhood days. moving objects in the world had been an exhilarating moment. Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Bartholomew to
ST Coleridges Rime of Ancient mariner all gave me goose bumps. As life went on, I became the part of that “as
To Sir with Love: For a better schooling my parents decided to send me to a residential school. Schooling idle as a painted ship / upon a painted ocean.” Dressing in all white with shinning epaulettes, white pea-cap
ina vernacular medium in the initial days, my English continued to remain hapless in every sense. I never and equally shinning white buskin shoes with white stockings made me part of that much coveted group who
had thelucidity with the subject as I had over my maternal language and envied few of the class mates who would navigate the world. But the euphoria had a slight satirical touch when the captain looking at my all white
hadunquestionable fluency with their vocabulary and writing skills. Though had a natural impulse to contend uniform, jestingly told that “This is the closest you can get to white”. But I was matured enough by then to laugh
withthem but as it happens, nature arms every man with some faculty which enables them to do certain feats out loud at other peoples sense of humor. But I do not laugh anymore to his sense of humor. My captain did not
easilywhich remain impossible to others. No matter how good was the effort, I would falter. In our ninth grade know that his obsession for white, invisibly multiplied the white blood cells deep inside him. With abnormal
we had aprose “In the grip of prejudice”. It was an extract from E.R.Braithwaites eponymous novel “To Sir increase of WBC, he succumbed to Leukemia, a form of blood cancer shortly after he was discharged from his
with love”. Ablack teachers journey in Britain during Second World War. Our English teacher Mr.Das Biswas duties on board that ship.
with his dramaticdelivery made it so enthralling that I got the book from library and read with my heart and
mind in a psychologicalstate of pride and optimism. Surprisingly somehow connected myself with Braithwaite Middle Indian: I was on a transatlantic flight with a South American co passenger. As the plane took off we got
and spilled my entirefeeling in the annual exam paper in the ninth grade & scored enviably in English, for the into usual conversation to kill the boredom of the long flight. She had a faint idea of Indian subcontinent and
only time. The hurdlesof impossibility were crossed on wings of my complexion. I thanked Braithwaite and mostly by hearsay. As the discussion took turn in different set of inquisitive information she said that she heard,
my complexion. But it earnedme an affectionate nickname 0Kalu among my friend. It was no bullying just an in India people from one half is light skinned and from the other half is dark skinned. Is this true? Before I could
ardent reciprocation from myclose childhood buddies on my accomplishment. blurt out an explanation she looked at me coyly and said I think you are from Middle India. I heard of Red
Indian, North Indian, South Indian but never a Middle Indian. What a clear distinction of Indian by their skin
Fair & Lovely, Twice Daily: Unarguably in most romantic poem of Bengali literature Banalata Sen, Poet color! Yes I am a Middle Indian.
Jibonanando Das guardedly avoided the complexion of Banalata Sen though he was very descriptive with
her hair, face and eyes. Probably Jibonanda was aware of our obsession with light skin and carefully avoided Blackberry: A friend of mine had an interesting anecdote to share about a manager in his former company.
it. When I first met Puti ( ) she exactly fitted the description of Banalata Sen. Dusky skinned, her hair the Blackberry had just started their operation and they were all fascinated to flaunt e-mail monitoring while on the
ancient darkness of Vidisha, face a sculpture from Sravasthi, her eyebrows arched like the soaring wings of a move with their new blackberry. Their dark complexioned manager had a bad temper with regular whimsical
bird. How we met and what happened to our platonic affair is another story for some other day. In those teenage outburst in the office towards subordinates. Fascination with blackberry, quickly earned his nick name 0Blackberry
years, obsession for the fairer skin touched her too. Back then, she just wanted to be light-skinned because the in identity of his skin color and the employees would communicate in the code language to gauge the mood of
message was that a lighter skin would be more impressive and turned to only available Unilever fairness cream the manager “How is the blackberry doing B did it crash? Or has it hanged or are you getting regular e-mail.”
Fair & Lovely. It was immediate recourse to her belief. Fair & lovely, twice daily that was her ticket to “Intimate On certain occasion when the manager is inaccessible on phone people would say “blackberry on poor signal”.
whitening wash”. In next 20 years an obsession similar to her would swell India’s whitening cream business to If he goes on leave then all would know that 0Blackberry has gone to service center. Blackberry had a trusted
638 million US dollar, reportedly consuming 233 tons of skin-whitening products. Our affair contributed to that lieutenant and he was nicknamed as 0Holster. My friend was fortunate enough to change from blackberry to
booming business to some extent.

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Bolo Durga Maa Ki...Jai!!!

Iphone later in every sense by switching jobs. Inquisitively I would be curious to know how innovative my
subordinates are with my nickname.

Freedom at Midnight: I was glued to Dominque LA Pierres freedom at midnight. He keeps the reader at
tenterhook with his writing style. On the demarcation on the borders of India & Pakistan he stated that “Sir Cyril
Radcliffe was the chairman of the two boundary committees set up with the passing of the Indian Independence
Act. He was faced with the daunting task of drawing the borders for the new nations of Pakistan and India, a
way that would leave as many Hindus and Sikhs in India and Muslims in Pakistan as possible. On one side it
was Punjab mostly inhabited by tall fair skinned valiant Punjabis and other side Bengal inhabited by short dark
Bengalis.” A very clear form of demarcation by Mr.LA Pierre on physical appearance and skin color. I wanted
to spurt out a protest that as per London based 0prospect magazine survey “the world’s most important thinker By Sanjana Ganguly
2014” has included three Bengalis B Amartya sen, Kaushik Basu and Partha Dasgupata. Are they short, dark?
Oops! They are middle Indian Bengalese.
After a long year’s wait, it is finally that time of year again. Time to rejoice, to let go, to unite as one, and pray for
a healthy and prosperous future. Time to thank Goddess Durga for all that she has given us, and time to pray that
Be unfair, be Beautiful: Indias obsession with the fair skin continues. So do millions chase that unachievable, may her blessings be with us all the way through. After a hectic year – be it at work, or at school/university with
impossibility dream. I wish that fairness assurance cream could turn the black money to white and change the exams and stress, each of us bring new stories, new tales to tell. With this occasion we come together to pray,
lives of the thousands of downtrodden Indian & we leave a better India for the generation to come. While many to sing, to dance and to enjoy.
renowned celebrities are promoting fairness creams, acclaimed actress Nandita Das has lent her support to a
campaign “Be unfair, be beautiful” that celebrates being dark. Nandita has lent her star power and support to While the rituals entail 10 days of fast, feast and worship, the last 5-6 days are celebrated with great pomp
the Dark is Beautiful movement, an awareness campaign that seeks to draw attention to the unjust effects of skin and splendor all around India – and especially in Bengal. HKBA commemorates this wide-scale celebration by
hosting its own Durga Puja and giving us all a place to unite and celebrate.
color bias and celebrates the beauty and diversity of all skin to her campaign.
The week begins with Mahalaya – the day of invocation - the day that marks Maa Durga’s descent upon
“Heil Nandita here I join another unfair middle IndianJJ..” earth to destroy the evil ruler Mahishasura. As legend has it, Goddess Durga came to earth to kill the demon
king, because his death was destined at the hands of a woman. Thus, Mahalaya is essentially celebrated to
commemorate women’s empowerment, and their roles in society – as opposed to their stereotypical depictions
of being naive housewives.

From this day it begins with the sound of conch shells ringing, loud music being played on the ‘Dhaaks’ and
the chanting of hymns, prayers and pushpanjalis. This is the first day of the Durga Puja celebration here in Hong
Kong. The excitement begins.

The following day, is the day of Mahashashti – which means the sixth day. On this day, Maa Durga is accessorized
with the various different weapons she has been given by other Gods to fight the demonic buffalo king –
Mahishasura. According to Indian mythology, when Mahishasura came to know that Maa Durga was the end
of him, he had pleaded that he too be worshipped along with her, and Goddess Durga agreed. That is why
Mahishasura can be found under Maa Durga’s feet in the beautiful idols we worship.

Like so, each day of Durga Puja (Panchami, Shashti, Shaptami, Ashtami, Navami & Dashami) has its own
cultural significance. We celebrate these by performing (and watching) forms of art which signify our culture
and tradition, such as singing, dancing, playing instruments and so on… The days begin with Anjali, and
early morning preparations for the day’s celebration. People come from far, and near to seek blessings for a
prosperous year and to thank Maa Durga for all that she has bestowed upon them. The evenings are filled with
cultural performances followed by series of photo-taking sessions with everyone dressed in beautiful, bright
ethnic wear.

This occasion does not only make a good gathering, it also helps us connect to our roots, and celebrate our
identities on the foreign land we call ‘home’. It really is a wonderful opportunity to dress up for several fun-filled
evenings with singing, dancing and of course, chatting. Our Durga Pujas never fail to make us chant “Aaschhe
bocchor aabar hobe!!!” with hopes of reliving the same light-hearted, fun times of reverence with our close-knit
family known as HKBA

Hong Kong Bengali Association 14 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 15 Durga Puja 2014
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Fifa World Cup 2014 From My View The Stolen Diamond and the Detective

By Atindrya Ghosh (Abhro) By SHOHAM DE

Fifa World Cup 2014 was very exciting for me since it was the first time for me to be able to understand the One morning, a detective named Dan Brown was going to solve a stolen diamond case. He had been especially
game well, and the value of winning the World Cup. I was voting for Argentina as Messi, Higuain and Di Maria hired because he had excellent eyesight and a very sharp brain. That is what made him the best detective in
are my all time favourites. Besides them, I also supported Neymar and Ronaldo. The host country and favourites town. Dan’s client, Mr. James Robinson, said to him that the previous day he had bought an expensive diamond
for this year’s championship Brazil came fourth. Unfortunately Neymar their star player broke his backbone from a local handicraft shop. Mr. Robinson’s hobby was art. He also said that the shop’s name was ‘Jack’s Art &
in the match against Columbia, hence the team moral was pretty shaken. Germany and Argentina were in the Craft’.
finals. It was an extremely tough match, with Germany winning at the end. The only winning goal for Germany
was scored by Mario Gotze, substitute for his team replacing Miroslav Klose in the eighty ninth minute of the The next day, detective Dan went to the handicraft shop and asked the shopkeeper casually, “Did anyone called
game. But I am still happy that Argentina could reach the finals and also because Messi won the Golden Ball James Robinson buy an expensive diamond from your shop yesterday?” “Yes, and he also said he was a collector
Award! The matches I watched were Argentina versus Belgium, Brazil versus Columbia and Argentina versus of them”, said the shopkeeper. Suddenly Dan’s eyes fell on a diamond. Its price tag said $20,000! Dan just said
Germany. In my perspective, the countries from Asia didn’t play very well this year. The teams which played goodbye and left.
very well this year were namely from Europe and South America. Before the tournament started, I made bets
with my friends about who would win the matches. Unfortunately none of the teams I supported, won. When When he reached Mr. Robinson’s house, he asked him to draw a picture of the stolen diamond. James, his talent
I heard that Spain had lost, I was shocked! It is because Spain had one of the best teams this year and was also and hobby being art, handed Dan an accurate sketch. It was identical to the one Dan had seen at the shop. Dan
the champions of Fifa World Cup 2010. Spain came seventh in this World Cup. I was hoping that Brazil and gave James some money and told him to buy an emerald from the same handicraft shop. That night, Dan hosed
Argentina would get into the finals but unfortunately Brazil had been ousted. the path from the handicraft shop to Mr. Robinson’s house.

Every night at eight O clock I would watch the highlights of the matches. That created my interest in the football The next day, there were footprints in the mud Dan had made. Dan went to the shop and saw the emerald
teams from other countries. Sometimes I would go to my friends’ houses and talk about the matches. After back in its original place. “You are a thief!” said Dan to the shopkeeper. “You sell, but you steal back your own
I watched the matches, I critically evaluated each of them. In many cases, I thought the beginning should products!” The shopkeeper was sent to jail that very day. Mr. Robinson got back his diamond and happily gifted
have been faster so that there would be a higher chance of scoring more goals. I figured out that most of my the emerald to Dan. Since that day, Dan earned the nickname Double Detector Dan Brown (DDDB).
friends from school watched the final match outside of Hong Kong since summer holidays had already begun.
I watched the final match in Hong Kong and took some pictures of me wearing my favourite Messi jersey. Even
at school we would watch replay of football matches during breaks. This made us so excited that we would start
screaming and shouting!

All football players have one thing in common; they practice the techniques and skills for long hours so as to
become stronger and agile. It helps them to become better. One of my friends from Germany told me that even
though Germany won, he still voted for Argentina. This made me happy, since even people from Germany
voted for my favourite team. This shows that Argentina’s team is quite popular. After the world Cup I learnt that
concentration, dedication and hard work goes a long way in making dreams come true.

After watching the great players from this year Fifa World Cup I got the motivation from them to prepare myself
as a future soccer player. I will always pray to God to give me the strength, so that I can work hard and acquire
necessary techniques and skills to become a footballer, who can not only participate for his country as a soccer
player but also make his country proud.

Hong Kong Bengali Association 16 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 17 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

Convincing my parents to get a rabbit

Persephone and Hades

By Bibartan Manna

One day when my dad and I were walking to the MTR station, I saw an ad about the pet adoption day. On
By Samriddhi Nandi
the ad, it wrote that we can adopt cats, rabbits and reptiles. Well, I think that cats don’t get along well with it’s
surroundings, and reptiles freak me out. So rabbits are the best choice, they’re cute and friendly. I showed the
ad to my dad, but he thought that I was just joking. But, I didn’t give up cause I want to convince him to get
me a rabbit. I asked my mom, she didn’t agree with the idea at all. I even told them that I will play less on my
phone and laptop, but they still didn’t agree.
Chasing butterflies to the rhythm of Orpheus,
Then I remembered my old pet experience. I had a fish 5 years ago. During the Lantern festival every year we
paving her way through the field of orchids,
visit to Mei Foo park. Hundreds of people will come and there are few shops that sale fun stuff. After playing
and catching some fishes at a small fun shop, I brought my colorful fish home. Unfortunately it only survived for
Approaching the forbidden palace of wisdom,
one day cause we didn’t feed it enough. However my parents told me that it was my extra care, touching the fish
every hour, checking if it’s taking it’s food over enthusiastically caused it’s death. But I’m much more responsible
passing the distant noises of ingenuous murmur
now. This also reminded me about my uncle’s pet experience when he was young. He brought a puppy home,
he convinced my grandparents by telling them that when the puppy grows up he will protect the village from
Walking Persephone, seeking solace
intruders. They agreed to let him keep it. My uncle skipped school and didn’t eat properly just to look after the
puppy. Then one day, my uncle saw my grandma taking away the puppy, he asked her why she was taking it
Exiled from Olympus, disowned by Demeter,
away, she said that they discovered the puppy was a female puppy and not a male that are normally used to
guard the houses. She didn’t want to keep it anymore. At last my uncle sadly let the puppy go.
The pomegranates, destructive, much like
I have been trying all means to convince my parents but nothing really cracked. Finally one day when my dad
The fatal kiss upon her lips he would bestow
was shaving, I asked him what I could do to adopt the rabbit; he angrily said that if I can write a passage for the
Hong Kong Bengali Association magazine, then we can adopt a rabbit. I worked really hard on this passage. So
Piercing eyes, shining like emerald,
hopefully next time you come to my house, you can see a rabbit happily jumping and running across the house.
Androgynous features, with a face so bold

On the prowl, ready to strike, there he was,

perched upon the ledge, moving in for the kill.

Hong Kong Bengali Association 18 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 19 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

With Best Compliments

By Ayush Neogy

The Universe

The universe is right there

At the very top layer

Making the planets unite

But not always very fair

M/S HOFEX LTD.
Big cold and always so bright

BOOM! Suddenly stars ignite

Such a place is the gold mine

Which lets out natural light

The godly place is divine

Making all of the stars shine

And as endless as a void

Nothing is this very fine

Flat B, 4/F, Crawford Tower,

99-101 Jervois Street,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Bengali Association 20 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 21 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

With Best Compliments

19B, Easy Tower

609, Tai Nan West Street,
Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Off: 852-2191 9989 / 2371 3299

Mob: 852-67130946
Fax: 852-2191 9962
www.happydil.com
Email: [email protected]

Durga Puja Greetings

Peter Ho

Rm 504 China Merchants Building,

303 Des Voeux Road Central,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Mrs. & Mr. Ahsvin M. Selarka

Tel: 2121 8816/2527 6612 Aarmex (HK) Pvt Ltd

Mobile: 9709 9125
Fax: 2544 6893 13B, Hody Commercial Building, 6 Hart Avenue,
Email: [email protected] TST Kowloon, Hong Kong

Hong Kong Bengali Association 22 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 23 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

Best wishes for Durga Puja and Dashera from

Manufacturers and importers of cotton yarn, fibre, fabrics and accessories.

Also dealing in Lighting and Office Furniture projects for various Hotels and
Retail outlets.

Flat F, 8/F, Phase II, Kwai Shing Industrial Building

42-46 Tai Lin Pai Road, Kwai Chung, N.T., Hong Kong
Tel: 22426424 Fax: 23335939
Web: www.topnetintl.cn

With Best Compliments

Hua Hsia Textiles Trading Company Limited

Flat A & B, 7/F, Metropolitan FTY & Warehouse Building

30-32 Chai Wan Kok Street
Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

Tel: 2407 2553 Fax: 2406 7603

E-mail: [email protected]

Hong Kong Bengali Association 24 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 25 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

We are the only travel agency

named the India Travel Specialist by
Cathay Pacific & Dragonair

Looking for direct non-stop flights to Kolkata?

Recipient of Cathay Pacific’s Top Agent Award for 2009, 2010 & 2011

Let us guide you…

G.C. Nanda & Sons Ltd.

T - 2522 3137 / 2522 4228
www.nandatravel.com

Hong Kong Bengali Association 26 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 27 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

With best compliments

Mrs. & Mr. Ajay Jakhotia

Kunming Trading Company
12/F, Room B, Alpha House
27-33 Nathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Tel: 2368 5997 (4 lines)

Fax: 2723 9408
email: [email protected]
www.ktcdiamond.com

Hong Kong Bengali Association 28 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 29 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

Wealth Finance Limited

成福財務有限公司

Our Products Are:-

All type of Loans

Property Office & Home Loans
Education & Career Dev. Loan
All type of Vehicle Loan
Business SME Loan
Gadgets Loan
Moneygram Remittance Service

Precious Metals
Gold Kilo Bars, Gold Granules
Silver Bars, Silver Granules

Suite 1503-5, 15/Floor, Empress Plaza, 17-19 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Email: [email protected] Web: www.wealthfinance.com
Hong Kong Bengali Association 30 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association Durga Puja 2014
Tel No.: 3904 2041,312301 4200, 2369 4500
Fax: (852) 2110 0425
DESIGN Courtesy: Kaushik Neogy
The Hong Kong Bengali Association

Durga Puja 2013

BijoyaSammilani 2013 Picnic2014

SaraswatiPuja2014
AGM2014

45
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

with best compliments from

Binod,Pawan,
Rajesh,Dipendra
and
Rakshit Bhimsaria
Hong Kong Bengali Association 46 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 47 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

With Best Compliments

Millennium Industrial Company Happy Durga Puja

From: Mrs. & Mr. R S Parameswaran,

Mrs. & Mr. C R S Nathan,
Jairam, Vani, Uday and Varshini
Room - E, 10/F, Block 1
Gold Field Industrial Building
Kwai Chung, N.T., Hong Kong

Tel: 2422 6738 Fax: 2422 5838

E-mail: [email protected]

With best compliments With best compliments

With best compliments from:

Lamcom (HK) Ltd. Regal’s Electronics

With best compliments

MB International
Shop No. 38
1/F, Chungking Mansion
36-44 Nathan Road, Kowloon Unit:605, Empress Plaza,
Unit 8, 9/F, Park Fook Industrial Building Hong Kong 17-19, Chatham Road,
615-617, Tai Nan West Street, TST, Kowloon
Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, HK. Dipankar Mukutmoni TST: P.O. Box 96769, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: 852-23328393,
Sushweta Mukutmoni
Fax: 852-23327955 Cable: JOSHIL
Email: [email protected] ; Indrajit Mukutmoni ATel: 2368 1317 / 2368 2747
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

Hong Kong Bengali Association 48 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 49 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

With Best Compliments from

With Best Compliments
PSONS LTD

(JAPAN)
Electronics Mfg. Co. Ltd.

22/F, Hong Kong Diamond Exchange Building, 8-10 Duddell Street, Central, HK
Tel: +852 2907 7667 Fax: +852 2347 7667
Email: [email protected]

Best wishes for Durga Puja

from A well wisher

1/F Lee Man Commercial Building

105-107 Bonham Strand, E. Sheung Wan Hong Kong
G.P.O. Box 10799 Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2541 2232 Fax: (852) 2815 4776

Email: [email protected]

Hong Kong Bengali Association 50 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 51 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

With Best Compliments

成權有限公司
Pioneer Glory Ltd

Hong Kong Office

香港九龍尖沙咀寶勒巷 6-8A盈豐商業大廈17樓1705室
Room 1705, 17/F, Winfield Commercial Building
6-8A Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 23699553, 27394728
Fax: (852) 27399876
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

With Best Compliments

With Best Compliments
TUNG TAI BUTTON FACTORY

M/F, 214 (B), Yee Kuk Street

Sham Shui Po
Kowloon, Hong Kong Room 502-3, 5th floor,
Hing Lung Commercial Building,
Contact: Matthew Lee (Director) 68-74 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan,
Tel: (852) 2360 5280 Hongkong
Fax: (852) 2720 8272
Email: [email protected] Tel: 2854 2292 E-mail: [email protected]

Hong Kong Bengali Association 52 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 53 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

With Best Compliments

A. R. INT’L (HK) LIMITED

THE RADIANCE
EDUCATION LIMITED
Best wishes for Durga Puja
An Authentic Destination for
from A well wisher Cognitive Evolution in the Field
of Physics, Mathematics and
Chemistry

Obtain Expert’s Guidance and gain

confidence in Theoretical & Numerical
Analysis, in Conceptual Development
Suite 902, 9/F Diamond Exchange Building and in Problem Solving Abilities.
8-10 Duddell Street
Central, Hong Kong Special Packages & Intensive Test
Preparatory Courses for A-Level, IB,
Tel : (852) 2522 5480, 2523 5377 HKDSE, IGCSE Examinations
Fax : (852) 2521 2072, 2523 0767
E-mail: [email protected] Contact:
Dr. Ms. SANJUKTA GHOSH
Ph.D. (Physics), former JSPS fellow at the Univ. of
Tokyo, Japan

Tel: 63055701, 21435512

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Hong Kong Bengali Association 54 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 55 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON!

SHEILA’S EXPORTS LIMITED

16/FL, HK & MACAU BUILDING
156-157 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL,
HONG KONG.
TEL: 2525 3035
FAX: 2525 3053

Wishing everybody happiness on

DURGA PUJA

With Best Compliments from

LION FORESTRY LIMITED

4305, TOWER ONE, LIPPO CENTRE,
89 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG
Tel: (852) 2523 5112, 2523 5116
Fax: (852) 2537 1066
E-mail: [email protected]

Hong Kong Bengali Association 56 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 57 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

With best compliments

Mrs. & Mr. Shankarlal Sureka

East Asia Trading Company

1725-26 Star House
Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon, Hong Kong

Hong Kong Bengali Association 58 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 59 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

With Best Compliments

M/S Deep Sea Venturs Limited

Suite 605, 6th Floor,

China Insurance Group Building
141, Des Veoux Road, Central, Hongkong.

Hong Kong Bengali Association 60 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 61 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

Best wishes for Durga Puja

from A well wisher

Hong Kong Bengali Association 62 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 63 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

Durga Puja best wishes

Voyagex Logistics
Solutions (HK) Ltd

Hong Kong Bengali Association 64 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 65 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014
Art Corner

Ishika Talukdar

Unit B, 9/F., Garment Centre,

No. 576-586 Castle Peak Rd., Kowloon, Hong Kong.
T: +852 3575 5400 (60 Lines) F:+852 3426 9624-25

www.transpolegroup.com
Hong Kong Bengali Association 66 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Sampriti Manna
Association 67 Anindita Bhattacharya
Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

Hong Kong Bengali Association 68 Durga Puja 2014 Hong Kong Bengali Association 69 Durga Puja 2014
 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

GALAXY IMPEX (HK) LIMITED

Unit 1601, 16/F. Working Port Commercial Building
3-5 Hau Fook Street., Tsim Sha Tsui. Kowloon. Hong Kong

Tel: 23680378, 23680390

FAX: 23680538

Email : [email protected]

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 The Hong Kong Bengali Association • Durga Puja 2014

Hong Kong Bengali Association 74 Durga Puja 2014