3 hrs ago
Extra Saptami Day Raises Community Puja Meal Costs
This year’s puja calendar has two Saptami days.
Many residents want community meals on both days.
Some organisers say they cannot afford to add another full meal.
AC Block will offer a simpler khichuri meal on the first Saptami.
Other blocks are serving meals on both days, and they are handling the extra cost in different ways.
CG Block slightly increased its subscription.
BE (West) will charge residents Rs 100 per plate for lunch on the two Saptamis after a subsidy.
JC and EC blocks say food is especially important to their residents, so they are keeping the extra meals.
The extra day also adds costs for other puja arrangements.
Two Saptamis this year have prompted demands for an additional day of community meals.
CA and AL blocks say budgets will not cover meals on both Saptamis.
AC Block plans to distribute khichuri bhog on the first Saptami instead of serving an elaborate meal.
CG, BE (West), JC and EC blocks will provide food on both Saptamis, with different ways of managing costs.
Organisers cite added expenses for food and other puja arrangements, while some say residents value the extra feast.
- Who
- Puja organisers and residents in several Salt Lake blocks.
- What
- Blocks are deciding whether and how to provide community meals on an additional Saptami.
- Where
- Salt Lake, including CA, AL, AC, CG, BE (West), JC and EC blocks.
- When
- This year’s puja, which has two Saptamis.
- Why
- Residents are asking for meals on both Saptamis, while organisers weigh those requests against the extra costs.
Limit extra meals
Provide meals on both Saptamis
Budget versus resident demand
Limit extra meals
CA and AL blocks say they cannot afford an additional full meal on the first Saptami.
Provide meals on both Saptamis
CG, BE (West), JC and EC blocks plan meals on both Saptamis, citing residents’ expectations and the importance of food.
Managing the additional cost
Limit extra meals
Some organisers are avoiding a second Saptami feast or offering a simpler khichuri meal.
Provide meals on both Saptamis
CG raised its subscription, while BE (West) will charge a subsidised Rs 100 per plate for lunch on both Saptamis; JC and EC say they will absorb the increased costs.
Key facts
- Meal schedule
- Some blocks usually serve community meals from Saptami to Dashami; this year has two Saptamis.
- CA Block
- The block says it cannot budget for an additional Saptami feast.
- AL Block
- Meals are planned from the second Saptami to Dashami, but not for both Saptamis.
- AC Block
- Plans to send residents khichuri bhog on the first Saptami.
- CG Block subscription
- Raised from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,280 while planning food on all five days.
- BE (West) lunch
- Lunch on both Saptamis will cost residents Rs 100 per plate after subsidy.
- JC Block
- Has 108 families and plans lunch and dinner from Saptami to Dashami, including the additional Saptami.
- EC Block
- Will provide meals on both Saptamis during its 50th-year celebrations.
Quotes
Sankar Prosad Deb
Secretary of CG Block puja.
“An extra puja day means more expense in terms of electricity, sound, construction, priest, guest artistes etc but all that pales in comparison to the amount of extra fun we all have, and food forms an important part of it.”
telegraphindia.com
“We raised subscription nominally from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,280, but residents are happy as they are getting an additional meal.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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