First Puja in new settlement for 132 Teesta-displaced families after three years of hardship

Three years after the Teesta river virtually swallowed their villages, forcing them to abandon their homes, a group of displaced villagers rehabilitated at Jalpaiguri's Majhua, around 15km from Siliguri, will organise Durga Puja for the first time this year.

The 132 families of Chamakdangi-Laltong forest busty under Dabgram-I panchayat in Rajganj block have begun preparations for their traditional “Phoolpati Utsav”.

The festival, in which members of the Gorkha community in traditional attire take part in a colourful procession, will be held on October 17, Saptami.

Sanjit Saiba, president of the Majhuwa Chamakdangi Laltong Sarbajanik Durga Puja Samiti, said residents prioritised preserving their traditional values and culture while organising the Puja at their new settlement.

“We are far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, and 132 families are trying to adjust to the newly developed settlement. Keeping this in mind, we have decided to organise the Puja for the first time without pomp and grandeur, while keeping our traditional values intact,” Saiba said.

Along with the “Phoolpati Utsav,” the Puja will feature a traditional Durga idol crafted by an artisan from Siliguri’s Kumartuli.

The pandal will showcase miniature village huts made of straw and bamboo, along with traditional implements such as the langol (plough), jekhai (a traditional fishing implement) and dheki (a traditional rice-husking device).

“These exhibits will help the younger generation learn about our traditions and heritage,” Saiba added.

The settlement is located on the fringes of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in Jalpaiguri district.

In their former villages, farming and poultry rearing were their main sources of livelihood.

However, ever since they relocated, the families have had to take up odd jobs to make ends meet. Despite these changes, their festive spirit remains undiminished.

Gautam Chhetri, secretary of the organising committee, said the state sanctioned a Puja grant of ₹1 lakh, which helped organisers.