2021 Saraswati Puja countdown - Newsletter # 33

[HDBS Puja Committee]

Welcome to our 20th Anniversary Puja – When Puja goes Digital!   Tune to HDBS YouTube channel for live streaming of Saraswati Puja and cultural programs in the evening https://www.youtube.com/c/HoustonDurgabari   For the latest and greatest, Puja and Program info…visit our newly designed website – a treasure trove of all that you need to know… http://durgabari.org/puja-2020/   To hang out on social media, with friends and family and enjoy Puja, virtually… Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonDurgaBari/ Instagram: http://Instagram.com/durga_bari_houston

Worshipping Goddess of Learning - Saraswati Puja at our Home away from Home! Saraswati Puja will be celebrated on SATURDAY, February 20, 2021. We will continue with our tradition of seeking Ma Saraswati’s blessings, including Haate Khori, albeit digitally.   Following is a preliminary schedule – please note the revised Puja timings ·       Haate Khori: 11:00 AM ·       Puja, Puja Sankalpa: 11:30 AM ·       Anjali, Bhog & Arati: 12.30 PM ·       Sandhya Arati: 6:30 PM ·       Evening Programs start from 7:00 PM o   Bangla School Presentation o   Kids’ Drama o   Kahoot Quiz Show o   BREAKING NEWS! Introduction of 2021 Puja Chair o   Song de Basanti – a music and adda ensemble (ONE TIME VIEW ONLY)   BOOK YOUR CALENDARS – An engaging and interesting array of Cultural Programs has been lined up. Details in the ‘Cultural Programs’ section below.   Link to Registration for Saraswati Puja and Sankalpa: https://www.durgabari.net/pujas/   Last few days to register for Puja Sankalpa for Saraswati Puja. Puja Sankalpa will be offered in your name that you will be able to watch live on Durgabari YouTube channel. Your names will be shown on the scrolling banner during live streaming.

Haate Khori – initiation of young ones to the world of knowledge   This year’s Saraswati Puja will also continue the tradition of Haate Khori – the ceremonial introduction to the world of learning. Please access the link below for Haate Khori registration https://www.durgabari.net/payment/   Due to the pandemic, this year's Haate Khori will be conducted online. Similar to e-Anjali, the registrants will be able to follow instructions to perform Haate Khori. Access to live media (YouTube) will be needed.   The deadline to receive slate and pencil is now over. You can still register – Puja Committee will provide information on where to procure these items from.   For any questions, please reach out to pu...@durgabari.org

BIG NEWS – Gift Cards for all child/student participants!   This Puja has been different in so many ways. We have also seen how everyone, especially the younger generation of HDBS has come forward, despite extremely challenging circumstances.   As a token of appreciation, the Puja Committee announces gift cards for all child/student participants in this year’s Puja.  This is a novel concept where we recognize the younger members of our community for staying engaged and excelling in their respective areas.   Gift card eligibility conditions: Children participating in 2020-21 Puja cultural programs, contributing to Sharad Arghya magazine and/or, for active volunteering •            One gift card per child/student •            Below 22 years of age or, 26 years if a full-time student •            Not employed in full or part time jobs •            Puja registration is mandatory   Parents: The git cards will be notified by email. If you would like your child(ren) to receive the gift card(s) to their own email addresses, please write to pu...@durgabari.org  with complete details (name of participating child, names of parents, programs participated in, child email address). We will start communicating after Saraswati Puja. In case you have not heard from us by March 7th (potentially due to lack of or, incorrect email addresses), please communicate to pu...@durgabari.org

Cultural Programs Bangla School Team Presentation This Saraswati Puja, the students of Bangla School will perform “Jeno Swapna Dekhi Duar Khule “. Adapted by our teacher Sushmita Acharjee, it is a magical journey of children through Rabindranath’s Sahaj Path. The verses take the children through a dream and when the journey ends, they realize that they have left their childhood behind.   Kids’ Drama HDBS Kalabhavan ‘Elocution & Drama’ Department and the local kids’ drama group ‘Kisholoy’ will proudly present the famous Bengali playwright Sukumar Ray’s masterpiece ‘Abak Jalpan’ in this year’s Saraswati Puja. The play revolves around the communication gap due to the misinterpretation of words, where a thirsty traveler seeks water from the villagers he comes across. Directed by Rupchhanda Ghosh, the play features thirteen promising and enthusiastic learners of the above-mentioned groups.   Kahoot Quiz Show – THE Battle of Brains! Continuing our tradition of Quiz during Saraswati Puja – the battle of brains! Led by Jhilmil Hatty and Soubhadra Sarkar, our enthusiastic 2nd Generation is hosting a Kahoot Quiz Show for ages 11 to 18 years. Prizes will be awarded to top contestants!   Song de Basanti – an ensemble of music and adda on the occasion of Saraswati Pujo The show is scripted and directed by famous singer-lyricist, film director and actor Anindya Chatterjee with musical performances by Rupankar, Madhubanti, Upal, Pousali, Anindya, and Prashmita.  The MC for this highly captivating presentation of about 1 & ½ hours show is Rini (of Aakash Aath fame). It is a syndicated show to be streamed only once on February 20th (no HDBS YouTube versions to be available after the show) – you will not want to miss it!

2020 Houston Durga Bari Puja – Same Devotion, Same Entertainment, Different Platform! https://www.youtube.com/c/HoustonDurgabari