Orpington, October 15, 2024 — The UTSAB community hosted a grand three-day Durga Puja celebration in Sanderson Hall, Orpington, from 11th to 13th October, drawing around 2,000 participants from across Kent and London. The event was a magnificent display of cultural unity, bringing together people from diverse communities to celebrate the auspicious festival with devotion, joy, and solidarity.
The celebration featured a wide range of cultural performances, with both children and adults showcasing their talents. Notable performers included Shree Chakraborty, Rupankar Majumdar, Debanshi Chatterjee, Adwiti Tripathy Pattnayak, Aadya Rajwanshi, Shreyanvi Roy, Tanya Roy, Ridan Asher Roy, Raktim Roy, Maria Roy, Aishani Basu and Ashwini Varadkar, who represented different cultural backgrounds, captivating the audience with their music and dance performances.
A highlight of the celebration was the soulful performance by singer Sonali Patnaik, who performed the iconic Rangabati odia song. Additionally, Debanshi and her father Debasish won hearts with their duet, and young guitarist Prithiv Majumdar impressed the audience with his skills.
Amid the vibrant celebrations, a solemn moment was observed when UTSAB community led the gathering in a minute of silence to honour a 31-year-old trainee doctor from Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, who tragically passed away. This gesture of solidarity resonated deeply with the attendees, highlighting the compassionate spirit of the festival.
Throughout the three days, attendees participated in offering Anjali and receiving Prasad, while enjoying complimentary lunch and dinner. A standout feature of the event was the UTSAB community’s dedication to women empowerment and gender equality, as Maa Durga’s Puja was led by a female priest, Runu, symbolizing the strength and grace of women at the heart of the celebration. On the final day, around 200 women came together for the traditional Sindoor Khela, a joyous ritual representing unity and sisterhood, marking the conclusion of the Durga Puja festivities.
The UTSAB Durga Puja in Orpington was not just a celebration of cultural and religious traditions but also a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, compassion, and solidarity, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.
