Young visitors hooked as lost world of handwritten letters comes alive at Alipurduar Durga Puja pandal

The Alipurduar Chowpathi Durga Puja Committee has shown innovation in this year's pandal by recreating the traditional postal system, giving youngsters a glimpse into an era of handwritten letters.

The pandal showcases old postcards, postage stamps, inland letters, letterboxes, and handwritten correspondence that people once used to stay in touch with family and friends.

A bicycle is on display, recalling those used by postmen to deliver letters from door to door. The installation also features a "runner' who delivered letters to remote areas on foot.

One of the displays highlights the legacy of Bengal's last runner, who delivered letters to remote villages in the Buxa Hills until 2009.

At the centre of the installation, the Durga idol has been placed inside a giant letterbox.

Ritam Sarkar, the artist behind the theme, explained the concept.

“Over the last 25 years, postcards, inland letters, stamps and telegrams have almost disappeared from everyday life. The younger generation doesn't know this world of letters, only smartphones and laptops,” Sarkar said.

The pandal also presents a 13-minute audio combining songs with narration about the importance of letters. From freedom fighters to youths in hostels to ordinary people, everyone wrote letters.

Class XI student Aishika Dutta said she loved the concept of the 'runner'. "I was fascinated," she said.