Durga Puja artefacts to be preserved at Eco Park

KOLKATA: Prodded by Mamata Banerjee, the state government has initiated the process to conserve and display the Durga Puja art works and handicrafts in New Town's Eco Park.
New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) and state information and cultural affairs (I&CA) department officials held a meeting with the Puja committees that participated in Red Road idol procession carnival to discuss about how to conserve and display the handicrafts and artworks at Eco Park.The state I&CA department would coordinate with the selected Puja committees and send details to the state urban development next week.
Hidco officials visited Suruchi Sangha on Saturday to initiate the process of gathering the artefacts. All the listed Puja committees have been asked to preserve the articles carefully. “NKDA engineers went to Suruchi Sangha and Ajeo Sangha on Saturday for an inspection.The plan is to bring the materials from them this week,“ a Hidco official said. Suruchi Sangha Puja idol would be conserved at the upcoming Japanese Garden inside Eco Park.
Some durable exhibits like those made with fibreglass, stone and steel would be kept outdoors at Eco Park, while sensitive decorations made with wood, cotton and earth would be kept indoors in a protected, dust-proof environment. For outdoor installations, a brick and cement foundation with spotlights and fence would be bu ilt by Hidco.
Installation at the new locations would be done by Hidco engineers in consultation with the artist and the concerned clubs to optimise the displays after re-installation.
Hidco officers would work with the nodal persons identified by the club and work out strategies and procedures to bring the artefacts to Eco Park. “We are delighted about the conservation,“ said a committee member of Salt Lake AK Block.