<div>Rarely do we get to weave our professional passions with our cultural traditions so perfectly. I recently learned about a project by <strong>#ResponsibleFoundation </strong>that is working to make <strong>"Sharadiya Durga Pujo—the pride of Bengal" </strong>a <strong>heritage festival</strong> for over <strong>400 years</strong>, <strong>eco-friendly and sustainable by 2047</strong>. For me, it was a profound moment where my love for this festival, our cultural heritage, tradition, and my professional commitment to sustainability came together.
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<div><strong>My Journey with Durga Pujo</strong>
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<div>Growing up in Kolkata, India, Durga Puja was more than a festival; it was the rhythm of our lives. The sound of the dhaak (a traditional drum) announced the arrival of the goddess, <strong>Maa Durga</strong>, the divine, compassionate mother, the warrior, and the slayer of Mahishasura, the demon, to restore balance. The city transformed into a canvas of light, color, and art. We'd spend hours pandal-hopping with family and friends, admiring the artistic creativity and the biggest street festival in the world. Various art installations and Puja pandals, made mostly with bamboo, cloth, and natural materials – from traditional to modern, embodied celebration, and showcased the craftsmanship. This vibrant street festival is so unique that it was inducted into the <strong>UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021.</strong>
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<div>As an environmental professional, my love for the festival evolved. I began to see the environmental damage from such large-scale celebrations: non-biodegradable waste, water pollution from idol immersion, and immense electricity consumption. My heart ached to find a solution to protect both Mother Nature and this cherished festival for future generations.
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<div><strong>Our Campaign for a Sustainable Future</strong>
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<div>This Durga Pujo, I'm partnering with <strong>#ResponsibleFoundation</strong> to support their mission. They are raising<strong> $6,500 for their 26th annual "Shaarod Shiromoni #Responsible Puja Award." </strong>This UNESCO-recognized initiative promotes the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) by recognizing Durga Puja organizers who embrace sustainable practices.
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<div>It is not a project for me; it's <strong><em>a personal calling</em></strong> - an attempt to preserve the essence of the festival, <strong><em>weaving traditional practices with responsibility for generations</em></strong> to come without harming our planet.
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<div><strong>Why this Matters</strong>
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<div>While Durga Puja draws over<strong> 3 million </strong>tourists, it also:
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<ul>
<li>Generates<strong> 15–20% more waste</strong>, including millions of square feet of non-biodegradable PVC flex banners that release carcinogenic toxins when burned.
</li>
<li>Massively increases electricity consumption. In 12 years, the <strong>electricity demand has grown by 427%</strong>, with some pandals using as much electricity as a small town in a single day.
</li>
</ul>
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<div><strong>Our Goals: Responsible Transition by 2047</strong>
</div>
<div>It’s a challenging journey, and we need your support to restore our culture and make it sustainable for the future. With your help, we aim to:
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Create Awareness ($500):</strong> Use the prestigious “Shaarod Shiromoni” award to educate both organizers and visitors on environmental and climate change issues.
</li>
<li><strong>Award Excellence ($2500):</strong> Identify and recognize 10 best Pujas that integrate our cultural heritage, art, and celebration with environmental consciousness.
</li>
<li><strong>Eco-Flex Swap ($3000):</strong> Replace 10,000 sq. ft. of polluting flex banners with eco-friendly alternatives like natural fiber across 200 Durga Puja.
</li>
<li><strong>"Normalize" Sustainability ($500)</strong>: Develop awareness materials and host outreach campaigns to ensure this festival becomes eco-positive and climate-conscious.
</li>
</ul>
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<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
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<div>Every dollar counts. We cannot do this without you.
</div>
<ul>
<li>Share this campaign with your friends, family, and network.
</li>
<li>Connect us with corporate and media partners.
</li>
<li>Donate to one or more causes, and help us slay the Mahishasura of the 21st century: climate change and environmental pollution.
</li>
</ul>
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<div>For the <strong>past 25 years our members</strong>, in association with <strong>Rotary and Rotaract Clubs</strong> have been working on creating awareness to Kolkata Puja organisers to adopt eco-friendly materials, reduce waste, ensure waste segregation measures and most importantly, take up socially relevant themes to make Durga Puja a medium to create awareness on various social causes to the millions who visit them. This is the longest-running Puja award, which is not a marketing activity of any brand or corporation.
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<div>Such was our impact that the <strong>Shaarod Shiromoni Awards</strong> were given the permits to promote the <strong>United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).</strong>
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<div><strong>Important links</strong>
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeKDlYbmTtc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Past Puja Awards</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shaarodshiromoni?rdid=jPLnGiFcK1zDcEeZ&amp;share_url=https%2525252525252525252525253A%2525252525252525252525252F%2525252525252525252525252Fwww.facebook.com%2525252525252525252525252Fshare%2525252525252525252525252F1LPy85z318%2525252525252525252525252F#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook Page #ResponsibleShaarod Shromoni Award</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/pandal-power-demand-becomes-5-fold-in-12-years/articleshow/113717880.cms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Energy demand increases 5-fold during Durga Puja</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/hashtag-responsible-foundation/posts/?feedView=all" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn #Responsible Foundation</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://shaarodshiromoniko.wixsite.com/ss2019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shaarod Shiromoni Award</a>
</li>
</ul>

Shilpi Blanchat

Eric Delvin

Roshni Roy

Vinay Patel

Debroop Dasgupta

Margi Dubal

Ujjainee Ghosh

Sagnik Dey

Deb Maji

Sunayana Reddy

Dipak Dutta

Sanghamitra Roy

Subhajit Mallik

Arpan Chowdhury

Priya Ganadas

Saurav Biswas

Tripti Bhaskaran

Prasanta Pal

Bobby Maisnam

Devshikha Bose

Sustainability for Durga Pujo's Future

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Sustainability for Durga Pujo's Future

Still $5,217 to go. Help us build momentum.