Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

The beautification work of river bank in Kolkata is going on. In the mean time, the projects from Prinsep Ghat to Baje Kadamtala Ghat, Floatel to KMDA Millennium Park foot over bridge and Fairley jetty to Armenian jetty have been completed. The renovation of Nimtala Ghat and Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Garden are going on and the renovation of Sri Ramkrishna Samadhi prangan has started. The foundation stones of the projects Babughat to Floatel and Nimtala Immersion Ghat have been laid recently. Cement railing all along the river Ganga in Kolkata, according to Victorian style, beautiful paver block for the pedestrians, cast iron bench for the walkers, reconstruction of ghat and mandap, lightings of trident, greens, music system and landscaping are the items these beautification work includes. -- A. B.

A 4-day long utsav has been started yesterday at Jhamapukur Sri Sri Ramakrishna Sangha to mark their 35th Foundation day. The utsav is now going on at their ashram yard till Sunday. The Sangha is following the rules and guidelines of Ramakrishna Mission since inception. Pic courtesy: Newspaper -- A. B.

The authority of Viswa-Bharati announced today that this year's Vasant Utsav will be held again at the old venue i.e. Ashram Maath (Gour Prangan). The utsav used to held at the Ashram Maath since inception. But, for security reasons, the utsav was held at the Purba Pally Maath for the last two years. But last year, the audience attempted to break the barricade and the security of the students was about to hampered. Hence, the authority of Shantiniketan has decided to bring back the flavour of old days by shifting the venue of Vasant Utsav again at Ashram Maath.- A. B.

18 February, 2014 is the Sankat Nashini Durga Puja. It is an auspicious puja observed by Bengali communities in West Bengal, Odisha and some parts of Assam. -- A. B.

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, Fresh Look has organised the 3rd Kolkata-Dhaka Bicycle Expedition (14-21February, 2014). The expedition had started from 'Bhasa Mancha' of Deshpriyo Park yesterday. -- A. B.

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It is the heritage building of Butto Kristo Paul (B K Paul) on Sovabazar Street. The statue of B K Paul was established on Hedua Park of north Kolkata. A. B.

Today is Saraswati Puja, another great festival being observed in almost every household of Bengal. I visited today some puja mandaps of rural areas, where glimpses of joy, fraternity, festivity, traditions and heritage of Bengal's eternal rituals are captured. -- A. B.

Today's Saraswati puja. The kids and childrens are enjoying this puja in cities, towns as well as in rural areas too. Although goddess Saraswati is being worshiped in almost each & every house of Bengal, the kids are still very energetic to visit puja pandals of their vicinity wearing sari and new clothings. -- A. B.