Cuttack, Oct 4: Cuttack’s iconic Durga Puja committees are witnessing a generational shift, with young faces increasingly taking up key leadership roles while carrying forward the experience and traditions of senior members.
Traditionally, the city’s senior committee members have led Puja committees. However, the trend is gradually changing, with members of the younger generation taking charge as presidents, secretaries, treasurers and other office-bearers.
At the Haripur Puja Committee, 43-year-old Ramkrushna Hati is serving as president, while 41-year-old Bikram Chhatei is the secretary. The Kanika Road-Ramgarh Puja Committee is headed by 37-year-old Basant Nayak as president and 45-year-old Jayadev Jena as secretary.
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Similarly, Manoj Sahu (45) and Sudhar Kumar Sethi (30) are holding key responsibilities at the Tulsipur Durga Puja Committee. At the Dargha Bazaar Puja Committee, Secretary Rajkishore Mishra is 40 years old.
Young members are also leading other committees. Sukesh Behera (37) and Rakesh Chandra Behera (39) hold key positions at the Abhishek Bazaar Puja Committee, while Subrat Nayak is serving as secretary of the Malisahi Puja Committee. Manoj Maharana, executive president of the Badheisahi Gramin Puja Samiti, and Saroj Kumar Behera, secretary of the Shikarisahi Puja Committee, are among other young leaders involved in organising the celebrations.
The younger generation is not limiting its role to puja, decorations and immersion processions. Many are also using Puja committees as platforms for social service.
Activities such as blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, tree plantation, assistance to underprivileged people and encouragement for students are increasingly becoming part of community initiatives.
The trend reflects a combination of senior members’ experience and the enthusiasm of the younger generation, giving Cuttack’s traditional Puja celebrations a new social dimension.
New silver filigree attraction
This year, Cuttack will also see a new silver tableau (Chandi Medha) at the Shri Shyamsundar Bhagabata Gadi, Ganesh Ghat, Sahebzada Bazaar Puja Committee.
According to the committee, the silver tableau weighs around 1 quintal 80 kg and is estimated to be worth more than ₹4 crore. Its ceremonial inauguration is scheduled for Panchami at the Puja mandap near Bhagabata Gadi Square.
With the addition of the Sahebzada Bazaar committee, the number of Puja committees in Cuttack with silver tableaux has reached 37.
