Fri Oct 11 13:08:56 UTC 2024: ## Kolkata’s Durga Puja Celebrates Creativity and Sustainability

**Kolkata, India:** The annual Durga Puja festival, celebrating the Hindu Goddess Durga, is in full swing across India, with Kolkata remaining the epicenter of the festivities. This year, creative pandals, temporary structures built for the occasion, are captivating audiences with unique themes and innovative designs.

One particularly captivating pandal in Salt Lake AK Block, designed on a budget of Rs 75 lakh, has gone viral for its innovative rainwater conservation theme. The pandal uses a pit filled with various utensils to collect rainwater dripping from the roof, creating a mesmerizing sound mimicking the traditional dhak drum.

“Kolkata never fails to surprise us,” commented @calcuttacacophony on Instagram, sharing the video that has garnered over 3 million views. The pandal has sparked conversations about the city’s creativity and the potential for using this ingenuity to attract businesses.

Another striking pandal located at Kolkata’s Jagat Mukherjee Park pays tribute to the city’s Green Line underwater metro and the ongoing issue of Ganga River pollution. The “Platform Howrah Maidan” themed pandal showcases the metro passing under the Hooghly River, highlighting the city’s progress while drawing attention to environmental concerns.

“It is Kolkata Metro’s 40th year, so the theme of this puja pandal is ‘Platform Howrah Maidan’ (underwater Metro station),” explained Subal Pal, the chief artist behind the pandal. “By showcasing the Metro passing under river Hooghly, we aim to highlight the city’s progress, while drawing attention to the pressing issue of Ganga pollution.”

Beyond Kolkata, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, scheduled to begin operations in March 2025, conducted its first successful trial run on Friday, October 11. The trial involved the landing and takeoff of Indian Air Force aircraft, including an Airbus C295 transport aircraft and a Sukhoi fighter jet. This marks a significant step in the runway testing process ahead of the airport’s launch.

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