The Real Heroes in Our Lives
The wait looks to be over as nearly everything is prepared. The arrival of Durga Puja heralds the pinnacle of magnificence for the city with a soul, which is currently displaying its many shades of passion, joy, enthusiasm, and nostalgia. People make numerous plans to be with friends and family over these four days of the major celebration. Not to be overlooked, though, are those for whom the importance of family and friends during these four days is secondary to all other considerations. These “men and women in uniform” are on the streets to allow Kolkatans to fully enjoy their favorite festival with the entire city decorated with dazzling lights.
The police officers, community volunteers, medical professionals, firefighters, and other emergency service personnel are especially dedicated to going above and beyond the call of duty during Durga Puja. They make the huge festival more exciting, enjoyable, and, most importantly, safer. During these days of Durga Puja, hundreds of police officers, firefighters, community volunteers, and medical professionals provide selfless service with unwavering dedication.
During the Puja last year, a mum and her daughter, a college student in Kolkata, ventured out to see pandals. After attending two Puja pandals in South Kolkata, the woman suddenly became unwell. The girl was absolutely helpless at that moment. She preferred to dial 100 even though other locals offered to help. It’s interesting to note that before she could call the number, two police officers arrived at the scene and gave her all the assistance she needed. She was happy to return safely to her house with her mother.
This was only one of the many instances that demonstrates these duty-bound people’s extraordinary attention and commitment to their obligations. There are numerous such instances where our “men and women in uniform” tirelessly serve the general public throughout the year, particularly during celebrations like Durga Puja. Our Chief Minister has constantly expressed her gratitude to the police, firefighters, community volunteers, medical professionals, local government officials, and disaster management organizations for putting their personal happiness aside to help the people of their country.
We are also aware of how the responsibilities of these people on duty increased during the last few years. The cause is that people no longer wait until Saptami ( the 2nd day of the festival) to begin pandal hopping. Hence in recent years, traffic and crowd control were required for six to seven days before, maybe beginning on Chaturthi and ending on Dashami. People swarm the pandals in large numbers shortly after the Puja Mandaps are inaugurated.
The Red Road Carnival on the day of idol immersion has also become one of the main Durga Puja events in recent times. Global crowds assemble at Red Road to observe the grand procession of Goddess Durga and her children as they pass one after the other to the rhythm of “dhak” ( a traditional, popular instrument played in this celebration). Thousands of people flock to see the “dhunuchi naach”( a dedicated dance form in front of idols) performed by Durga Puja organizers in front of the beautifully decked idols of the Goddess. The state Fire and Emergency Services Department and the police are fully responsible for preserving law and order during this time.
From the time, idols are transported to Puja pandals until they are immersed in the Hooghly River, all authorities, including the police, fire department, and civic bodies, work tirelessly to ensure that the state’s biggest event is safe and peaceful. Fire Prevention and Consultancy Services honor these selfless, unsung, REAL HEROES of our society for their undaunted spirits and continuous work without complaining during the festive season.
