WB Governor flags off 'Shanti Dhak Utsav-2017'

"Shanti Wellness Care Dhak Utsav-2017", an initiative by the Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee, was today launched by West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi.
The Governor inaugurated the programme by playing the traditional dhak in the presence of a host of consular corps, popular writers of Bengal, eminent citizens of Kolkata from the world of art, culture, education, sports, politics, industry and glamour at a city Five-Star hotel.
Devendra Goel, managing director, Shanti Wellness Care, announced that his organization would extend diagnostic healthcare services to those recommended by the Governor.
Meeryung Hall, wife of US Consul General, Craig L Hall, sang a Rabindra Sangeet, at the event while Alan Gemmel, Director, British Council, recited a poetry.

Over 30 eminent litterateurs of Bengal were present at the function along with members of Publishers and Book Sellers' Guild Kolkata and they included, among others, Sirshendu Mukherjee, Samaresh Majumdar, Pabitra Sarkar and Srijato at the Dhak Utsav.
The theme of Manicktalla Chaltabagan Durga Puja this year is "Freedom". The puja pandel is being decked up to convey how even the birds and animals love to be free and remain unshackled. The theme would celebrate the "Spirit of Freedom" of living beings.

"This year Chaltabagan Durga Puja is celebrating its 75th year. Over the years Chaltabagan Puja has many firsts to its credit having popularized events like Khunti puja, Sindur khela, Dhak Mahotsav.

The Puja Committee is also engaged in various social welfare activities during the Pujas including helping the marginalised and providing medical assistance to the needy.
"We are also celebrating 2017 as the UK-India Year of Culture with the British Council," said Sundeep Bhutoria, Chairman, Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee.
"Shanti Wellness Care is a modern diagnostic centre that believes in providing hassle-free services that make patients feel at home in an ambiance inducing a sense of wellness," he said.
"This year Kolkata Literature Festival is collaborating with Chaltabagan Pujo to celebrate the spirit of festival at the Dhak Utsav with the leading Bengali authors, poets and literary giants," said Tridib Chatterjee, General Secretary, Publishers and Book Sellers' Guild.

The Manicktalla Chaltabagan Durga Puja, which started in 1943, has now become one of the top crowd-pullers in city. Thousands of visitors, overseas guests and eminent citizens of Kolkata visit the puja pandal each year. The Puja Committee also carries out various social welfare activities.