There could be only five winners, but that did not stop the student-judges from picking their favourites.
On the final day of TTIS Choto Chokhe Boro Pujo (CCBP), co-powered by JIS Group and admissiontree.in, some pandals may have missed out on a trophy, but they certainly won young hearts.
Students and actress Bibriti Chatterjee presented awards to Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja for Best Theme (kalpana), Tala Barowari Durga Puja for Best Idol (pratima), Chetla Agrani Club for Best Pandal (devi prangan), Dum Dum Park Bharat Chakra for We Care (karuna) and Mudiali Club for Puja Cleanliness (swachh puja) on Friday.
For Bibhabori Bhattacharyya of Class XII, Gokhale Memorial Girls’ School, however, Nabinpally Durga Puja in Hatibagan was the real showstopper. “Sadly, there could be only one winner,” said the actress.
Samridhi Mitra of Class VII, Delhi Public School, Joka, was equally impressed with the Salt Lake FD Block Durga Puja.
For Chatterjee, there was no looking beyond Tala Barowari, which won CCBP’s Best Idol award for the second consecutive year. “I have been to so many pujas, but none beats Tala Barowari’s theme and artwork,” she said.
The pandal left visitors awestruck even on Day 2. Rooted in tantra shastra, the concept featured more than 200 idols alongside the main Durga idol. Red interiors, intricate paintings, fabric and threadwork, bamboo and clay installations came together to highlight sustainability — a major draw for the student-judges.
“It took us over two months to bring the concept to life and put the pandal together under artist Prasanta Paul,” said Souvik Mondal, assistant secretary of the Puja committee.
For Pranjali Majumder of Class IX, Shri Shikshayatan School, it was a rewarding experience. “It’s good to see that our voices matter,” she said.
Kasturi Chandra and Spandan Sha, both of Class IX at Patha Bhavan, Dankuni, felt Dum Dum Park Bharat Chakra was a deserving winner of the We Care award. “The pandal had proper toilets, a wheelchair and even a medical facility. It was much more than a puja; it was a place that connected communities,” Kasturi said.
Kashi Bose Lane, too, found favour with the young judges, as did Mudiali Club’s folklore-inspired theme, which took more than four months to create. “It’s the variety of themes and their impact on society that won our hearts,” said Sounak Dalapati of Class XI, Vivekananda Mission School.
Beyond the judging, CCBP was also about soaking in the festive spirit with friends and fellow teenagers. “It was all so much fun,” said Samridhi.
The initiative also won praise from its supporters.
“At Chowman, we believe food has the power to bring people together and create memorable experiences. It is wonderful to be part of this unique initiative that encourages young minds to explore Calcutta’s rich cultural heritage and experience Durga Puja through their own eyes. We were happy to extend our hospitality to these young judges on their exciting journey across the city,” said Debaditya Chaudhury, managing director of Chowman, the food sponsor. He is also managing director of Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 and Chaudhury & Co.
“Children have an eye for detail, and the way they judge different parameters is unique. I love their vibe,” said Deepak Bothra, director of India Forms Centre. “This event is very close to my heart.”
Sohini Bose, head (Future Leaders) at the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), said CCBP offered children a chance to see Puja through their own eyes, form opinions and enjoy being judges. “As an educational institution, we believe in learning beyond the classroom, and CCBP offers just that, with a beautiful touch of Puja,” she said.