This Puja sends doctors to check patients at home

As the rest of West Bengal decks up with majestic Durga Puja marquees, organisers of a small-scale puja in a Kolkata suburb are "home delivering" doctors to check patients at their residence.

As part of their noble endeavour at being Good Samaritans, the Kanthaltala Durga Puja Committee in Barasat is deputing a team of physicians to literally knock on doors and ask residents about their medical needs.

On Tuesday (Maha Saptami), a team of doctors ensured all the healthcare needs of residents are attended to free of charge. The gesture will be repeated on Wednesday (Maha Ashtami).

According to Arun Chattopadhyay of the organising committee, the exercise christened 'Manavseva', will be beneficial for those who don't have the time to go out and get a check-up done or don't have anybody to take them to a doctor.

Even the diagnostics and drugs, if needed, will not cost a penny -- the organisers will fund the basic medical requirement from the money collected for the celebration.

Instead of the usual pomp and show, this marquee is simple.

"The common man offers money as a contribution to organise the celebration and it is our duty to give them something back. The concept of our pandal this year stems from this," Chattopadhyay said.