DURGA PUJA, KALI PUJA&

DIWALI 2013

Wales Puja Committee www.pujainwales.com

Registered Charity No 1050138

Our 40th (Ruby) Sarbojanin Durga Puja Anniversary

Wales Puja Committee presents

Penyrheol Community Centre

Heol Aneurin, Caerphilly CF83 2PA

For more information please contact:

Dr Sakti Guha- Niyogi 01443 409399

Dr Sandip Raha 07957 251448

Mr Neeleem Saha 07886 808034

Dr Raja Biswas 07711 268577

Mr Dipak Kundu 07877 818463

Timetable

Durga Puja 10th October to 14th October

Sasthi - Thursday 10th October

Bodhon, Puja and Dinner 07.00 pm 09.30 pm

Saptami Friday 11th October

Puja, Anjali and Prasad 10.30 am 01.00 pm

Arati 06.30 pm 07.30 pm

Cultural programme and Dinner 07.45 pm 10.00 pm

Maha Ashtami Saturday 12th October

Puja and Anjali 09.30 am 11.30 am

Sandhi Puja and Prasad 11.45 am 01.30 pm

Arati 06.30 pm 07.30 pm

Cultural Programme and Dinner 07.45 pm 10.00 pm

Navami Sunday 13th October

Puja and Anjali 10.30 am 12.00 pm

Jaggo and Prasad 12.30 pm 01.30 pm

Arati 06.30 pm 07.30 pm

Cultural Programme and Dinner 07.45 pm 10.00 pm

Dashami Monday 14th October

Puja and Anjali 10.00 am 12.00 pm

Bisharjan, Sindhur Khela and Prasad 12.30 pm 02.30 pm

Natok and Gala Dinner 07.30 pm 10.00 pm

Puja, Anjali, Prasad and Dinner 07.00 pm 10.00pm

Visit us at www.pujainwales.com

Kali Puja Saturday 2nd November

Durga Puja Cultural Programme 2013

SAPTAMI Friday 11th October 2013, 7:45pm

Variety entertainment programme

MOHISHASUR MARDINI - dance recital depicting the mythical story of Goddess Durga

and the mighty and fearsome Mohishasur.

Medley of songs and rhymes performed by children

Instrumental - guitar

Comedy sketch DUI BONDHUR DYAKHA This is a small humorous skit about a meeting of

two old friends.

Bengali and Hindi songs

MAHA ASHTAMI Saturday 12th October 2013, 7:45pm

Dance drama CHITRANGADA The great story teller Rabindranath Tagore's masterpiece

"Chitrangada" is a story from the Mahabharata of a warrior princess and a "complete

woman". A riveting tale of love, courage and dignity amidst royal intrigue, this full length

dance drama features colourful dances choreographed to its haunting songs and pre

sented by our own local dancers.

Popular Hindi songs

NAVAMI Sunday 13th October 2013, 7.45pm

Dance medley on popular Bollywood tunes - performed by young talents of Cardiff

Contemporary dance

Bengali and Hindi songs

DASHAMI Monday 14th October 2013, 7.30pm

Bengali drama SH0TTI BHUTER G0PPO The maverick play right and theatre maestro,

Manoj Mitra, abridged his original play Narak Guljar due to popular demand for a shorter

version. This satire highlights the corruption that blights Earth, Heaven and Hell. The evil

dead are determined to blackmail an equally crooked pantheon of Gods into sending them

back to Earth. They want to unleash again their reign of criminality.

Other programmes

Saturday 12.10.2013 morning: Children's drawing /poetry writing competition

Sunday 13.10.2013 after morning Puja: "Shanka blowing" - competition

Sunday 13.10.2013: Carrom competition

For more information please contact Dr Madhuparna Mitra on 07931317691.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of WALES PUJA COMMITTEE 2013-14

OFFICE BEARERS

MEMBERS

Mrs S Basak Dr C Banerjee Mrs M Bhowmick

Dr Subash Das Dr Sankar Das Mrs Utsha Das

Dr R Majumdar (Hon) Mrs Mahua Mukherjee Dr Kausik Mukherjee

Dr Ashok Mukherjee Dr Kanti Nath Dr M L Nath

Dr R D Narayan Mrs A Narayan Mrs Raktima Bhadra Sarcar

Mr Pankaj Sarcar Dr H V Shah Dr S K Sharma (Hon)

Mrs Sharada Sharma Mrs Banani Sinha Ray Dr Ranjit Sinha Ray

Mr Shiladitya Sinha

Mr Abhijit Guha Mr T K Kar (Hon) Mrs J Majumdar (Hon)

CHAIRPERSON Dr Sakti Guha Niyogi

VICECHAIRPERSON Mr Dipak Kundu

SECRETARY Dr Raja Biswas

TREASURER Mr Anirban Mukherjee

CATERING Mrs Christina Roy & Mrs Tamashree Mukherjee

ENTERTAINMENT & PUBLICITY Mrs Shikha Nath & Dr Madhuparna Mitra

EVENTS OFFICER Dr Sandip Raha

PUJA CO-ORDINATOR Mrs Padma Das

COOPTED TREASURER Mr Neeleem Saha

The Chairpersons Desk,

Wales Puja Committee, September2013

Dear Devotees,

On behalf of Wales Puja Committee (WPC), I have the pleasure to

invite you and your family to join us in the celebration of our 40th

Saradia Durga and Kali Puja festivals.

I would like to thank all the members of the executive committee

of WPC who have worked long hours to make this festival a safe

and enjoyable event and have arranged for you a feast of cultural

programmes over the five days of Puja.

WPC is committed, as always, to provide you with an opportunity to

rejoice the Puja festivities thousands of miles away from your

homeland in the subcontinent.

We hope to see you every festive day and help make this joyous

event a success.

As a charitable organisation, we have continued to provide support

for relief work in natural calamities. This year we have donated for

relief to a flood ravaged Uttarakhand, India through the auspices

of the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram.

We depend on our patrons for funding for the various Puja festi-

vals and charitable donations; we hope your generous donation

would help us to provide funds for our charitable work.

I would like to thank the committee of Penyrheol community centre

for their continue support and allowing the WPC to rent the venue

for this festivity.

Finally, I would like to thank our priests Mr Kanai Chatterjee, Mr

Anirban Mukherjee, Mr Ananda Misra and Dr Kausik Mukherjee for

conducting various Puja ceremonies throughout the year.

Wishing you all a very happy Puja festival and Shubho Vijoya.

Dr Sakti Guha-Niyogi

From the Secretarys Desk,Wales Puja Committee, September 2013

Dear Friends,

This is a special year for those organizing the Sarbojonin (all em-

bracing) Puja in South Wales. Its our Ruby Anniversary. The first

recorded puja in South Wales was held in 1973. Wales Puja Com-

mittee, as an organization, was born several years later. However,

the ethos and thoughts of the pioneers lived on as the principle

core of beliefs around which the Wales Puja Committee was

founded and continues to function today.

The last year has seen us organize successful Diwali ,Kali and

Saraswati Pujas . However, we were disappointed in our attempts

to celebrate Swami Vivekanandas 150th Birth Anniversary. In the

years ahead, we aim to organize more cultural programmes by en-

couraging and utilising our local talents.

Like the rest of the world , we were shocked at the tragedy that

befell Uttarakhand. Wales Puja Committee tried to help in a very

small way by donating to Ramkrishna Mission & Bharat Sevashram,

two organizations very much at the frontline of rehabilitation and

relief work in Uttarakhand.

This year, the Durga Puja being on a weekend promises to be a well

attended one. Our Cultural Committee have been busy organizing a

variety of programmes including a dance drama, a one act play and

songs /dances by all age groups. The Catering Committee have been

innovative in their choice of menu and have promised a mouth wa-

tering for all.

We hope that you will be able to join us in celebrating Kali Puja &

Diwali as well. The tickets for the Diwali Dhamaka are already

available and, from all indications, it promises to be a great night.

So book your tickets early and save some money by availing of our

early birds discount.

This is my first year as Secretary of Wales Puja Committee. I

would like to thank all the seniors in the organization for their

advice and support.

I hope everyone enjoys these five days of Durga Puja. If however

anybody has any suggestions or ideas for the future please do

speak to us. We are always looking for new people (and ideas) to

join our organization. We would like to keep working on and improv-

ing our future events, keep making them enjoyable and inclusive.

Sabai ke janai saradiyar subbheccha

(Heartiest Saradiya greetings)!

Dr Raja Biswas

Treasurers MessageDear Friends,

Please find the WPC accounts for the year 2012-13 below.

Its been an exciting year for the WPC, notwithstanding several financial challenges. You are all aware that

these are tough economic times and we can only carry on organising more high quality events for you if we

have a healthy financial position. For this, I humbly request you all to contribute generously as always. I

would like to thank the members of the executive committee who have worked very hard through the year

to ensure that the WPC conducts its activities in the best possible way being mindful of financial con-

straints. I would like to thank you all for your unfaltering support and generosity towards the WPC.

I would like to thank Kanai Kaku (Mr Kanai Chatterjee) for donating his thali money from last years Puja to

a charitable cause. I would also like to thank all those who have helped the WPC in our various charitable

ventures. Finally, I would like to thank Dipak Kaku (Mr Dipak Kundu) and Sandip da (Dr Sandip Raha) for

the support and guidance they have given me in preparing these accounts. Being a complete rookie to ac-

counting, I would not have been able to complete the accounts without their help.

My best wishes of the Sharad season for you all.

Neeleem Saha

Co-opted Treasurer

neeleem@pujainwales.com

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Ankan Roy

The HimalayasEllora

The Himalayan Mountains

When you look at my picture of the Himalayas arising re-

splendent before a majestic sunset; just waiting to rise up

again in the morning, you get transported to a Himalayan

paradise, with thousands of dusty, tall mountains going

beyond the horizon. Now, if you look closely you will see

the wonderful detail of the sparkling rivers, lakes, and

streams that flow on and on without stopping. They mumble

to their surroundings as if they are whispering mystic se-

crets.

When you glance at the mountains in Himalayas, all you see

are many, dusty, regular, mountains. However, if you take a

minute to focus on them, you will see that each one is dif-

ferent, and has a unique feature. Such as the middle moun-

tain, its surface is smooth like a computer screen. The

mountain to the left is the tallest mountain Ive ever seen

and it has beautiful rocks like branches on a tree. The

mountain to the right had a soft sheet of snow placed gen-

tly on its point, with multi-coloured pebbles surrounding

the bottom.

So remember, dont just see the Himalayas and go away.

LOOK AT THEM! COMPARE THEM! LIKE & FEEL THEM!!!

and the Pangong LakeMukherjee

A Journey to the Pangong Tso

Im traveling through the bumpy Himalayan paths, sur-

rounded by stunning and cryptic mountains which make us

gasp with pleasure. The car winds along the curvy roads,

rough and beautiful at the same time. On my left the road

ends in a steep cliff, one look takes my breath away! The

car goes on and on for four hours, bumping along gently. In

some places, a mountain stream is the road itself! Some-

times for miles there are no other cars or humans, just

nature and us.

I have now reached the stunning Pangong Lake. This place

is as peaceful as a meadow, as stunning as diamonds and

gold and, as big as love.

Ahead of me and in the distance, the vast mountains are

as fiercely ablaze in the dazzling sunset. In front of it lies

the famous Pangong Lake. My eyes melt when I see her

shimmering blue waters. I have not seen anything quite

like this in my whole life!

Right now I am looking in the opposite direction, at the

miniscule pools made by the dreaded, gushing wind which

lift her sapphire waters on to the land. If I dare to gaze

at my sides I see the lake has no end. The guide tells me

that more than half of the lake is in another country,

China! We cant go there and that makes the lake even

more mysterious. The lake is very high, 14000 feet above

sea level, and yet ,the water is salty.

We played by the lake, touched the clear water and I

have got a small rock from the lake. It is in my study,

something for me to touch and for me to remember the

beautiful Pangong Lake.

I MADE A PROMISE; I WILL GO BACK, SOME DAY.

Lake Tso Moriri,Jagannath

Ladakh truly crowns India. The northern most tip of India,

it borders China and Pakistan. Whilst Kashmir may be

called paradise on Earth, the many splendours of Ladakh

surpass the beauties of Kashmir on many counts. Ladakh

lies beyond the Kashmir valley and stretches between Bani-

hal and Zojila Pass.

Tso Moriri, Thadsangkaru, Tsokar, Pangong, Althak and

many more are fascinating highland lakes situated at an

altitude of around 14,000 feet. Set amidst the snow-

capped Himalayas, rugged mountains with transformed

desert-like sand dunes, hot springs, the lunar surfaces of

Moonland, the huge and timeless Indus, Suru, Zanskar, and

Drass Rivers gurgling through lush green and narrow val-

leys and limitless highlands, these lakes have created an

enchanting environment. These lakes are the jewels of

Ladakh, the crown of India.

Amongst them, Tso Moriri, a pearl shaped lake surrounded

by snow-clad mountains and with a circumference of 80 km,

is at the highest altitude of 15,200 feet and is 150 feet

higher than and easily comparable to the world renowned

'Manas Sarovar' in nearby Tibet. Its grandeur can't be

spelt but can only be felt by nature lovers. Nearing it, I

felt as if I was attempting to touch the sea. Strong winds

ceaselessly created wave after wave which chased us up

the shore, the only turbulence in her crystal clear waters,

the only ripples amongst the multi coloured pebbles visible

through several feet of transparent water.

Only 240 km from the city of Leh in the south eastern

sector of Ladakh, Lake Tso Moriri lies in a desolate area

known as Rupshu. Traditionally nomad Changpa herdsmen

wander here in search of pastures for their goats, sheep,

cattle and horses. Few hundred Changpas live in Korzok on

the banks of the lake. Tourists can stay with these resi-

dents of Korzok in their humble houses or in a lone costly

guest house. Different tour operators also erect big tents.

So DearBhadra

It was a moonlit night, nearing full moon. We, the re-

freshed couple, stayed in the superbly arranged guest

house right near the snow capped peaks. From our bed,

the vast expanses of Tso Moriris moonlit glittering dark

waters and the rugged snow-capped mountain wall on the

opposite bank were clearly visible and seemed to be as

close as the neighbouring bungalow. Sleep was hard to

find stolen perhaps by the unparalleled beauty of Tso

Moriri!

The Tsomoriri lake-land is rich in mineral deposits. It is a

breeding hub for many rare migratory birds such as Bar

Headed Geese and we also spotted plenty of Brahmani

Ducks, Brown Headed Gulls, Black Necked Cranes and

other camera shy birds. Marmots are cute hare-like ani-

mals that burrow and live underground. These funny curi-

ous animals are a big attraction in this neighbourhood.

Kiang (wild Tibetan ass), Himalayan Ibex with ornamental

strong horns, red fox also roam these heights and can be

seen by the fortunate travellers.

During the hours of sun shine, the deep blue waters of

Tso Moriri compete with the clear blue of the sky, mir-

roring the neighbouring snow peaks. There are fascinat-

ing interplays between the colours of the lake with

changes in light and cloud cover.

Tourists who have braved these distant heights are for-

tunate to find the colourful local Changpas and on these

blessed shores, make coveted friends with fellow tour-

ists, locals and foreigners. Fellow banker Satyabrata's

family and a French lady, Francoise Blits with two teen-

age son and daughter, were my precious collections from

Tso Moriri.

Tso Moriri so dear no fear; I will remember you forever.

a reflectionPhotography by Anoushka Sinha

Although we are a rather physically limited family, the

walk along the Trail of Time didnt bother us at all as its

hard to complain when you are walking alongside such sen-

sational views. The Geology Museum contained a vast

amount of information about how each layer of rock was

cut by the Colorado River resulting in the Grand Canyons

multi-coloured layers. In addition there was a scale model

of the spectacle that allowed us to appreciate the size of

the Canyon which is a colossal 270 miles long!

From here we could see a triangular shape of a muddy

brown colour. Upon a second glance we realised it was the

Colorado River, the very thing that created this natural

wonder!

We spent the rest of the day either taking shuttle busses

or walking along the various paths and sites that the

Southern Rim had to offer.

Finally we settled at Mohave Point for around an hour to

watch the sunset. I spent that time ogling over the land-

scape as the sunlight cascaded over the layers of multi-

colour rock formations. The sun set fairly quickly leaving

the sky a streaky blue and pink. It really put into perspec-

tive how marvellous the sheer power of nature is and how

little we as humans are in contrast.

The Grand Canyon,Scripted by Ishani Sinha

The Grand Canyon is quite possibly one of the most unique

and inspiring landscapes our world has to offer. As a geo-

graphical icon, Im sure most of you will have seen pictures

of it, but experiencing it first hand was something else

entirely. As with most tourist sites that are heavily satu-

rated by the media, you do begin to wonder if the places

are worth the hype. I can assure you, the Grand Canyon

most definitely is!

Even the intense heat from the Arizona sun couldnt de-

tract our attention from the marvellous views.

We visited the Southern Rim first, beginning our trip with

a one mile walk to Yavapai Point and its Geology museum.

To reach the trail we had to walk through a small portion

of woodland area where, to our surprise, we saw a majestic

elk eyeing us through the trees.

Suddenly, the woodland area came to an end and we were

graced with the jaw-dropping sight of the Grand Canyon.

The sheer majesty of this amazing wonder was truly

breath taking. We spent much of the day marvelling the

inspiring heights, the jaw dropping depths, the tremendous

bands of colour and the immense scale. The Grand Canyons

were not just spectacular, they were indeed truly majestic

in their grandeur.

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DEVIA photo essay of an amazing transformation

Anupam ChandaAnupam is a photographer and an intrepid traveller and explorer. His articles and photographsgrace many eminent journals and in several languages. His thirst for the unknown is unquenchableand his ability to capture unusual images unique.

Happy Gathering wishes Wales Puja Committee the very

best for the Ruby Anniversary Durga Puja festivities.

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Book a table now on 029 2039 7531

Tragedy in UTTARKHANDUttarakhand's name is derived from the Sanskrit words Uttar meaning north, and Khand meaning country or part of a

country. The name finds mention in early Hindu scriptures as the combined region of Kedarkhand (present day Garhwal)

and Manaskhand (present day Kumaon). Uttarkhand was also the ancient Puranic term for the central stretch of the

Indian Himalayas.

Ancient rock paintings, rock shelters, Paleolithic stone tools (hundreds of thousands of years old),

and megaliths provide evidence that the mountains of the region have been inhabited since prehistoric times. There are

also archaeological remains which show the existence of early Vedic (c. 1500 BC) practices in the area. The numerous

temples also make this area a magnet for pilgrims, a haven for devotees.

Largely a mountainous area, two of India's largest rivers, Ganga and Yamuna originate in the glaciers of Uttarkhand and

tumble down its majestic valleys. Once heavily forested, rampant deforestation triggered the famous CHIPKO environ-

mental movement which promoted forest conservation through lifestyle changes and changes to means of livelihood.

Sadly the reforestation programme came too late and when in June 2013 an unusually heavy multiple cloudburst re-

sulted in terrifying floods that devastated the state leaving behind in its wake death and destruction. Unprecedented

destruction by the rainfall was attributed, by environmentalists, to unscientific developmental activities undertaken in

recent decades contributing to high level of loss of property and lives. Roads constructed in haphazard style, new re-

sorts and hotels built on fragile river banks and more than 70 hydroelectric projects in the watersheds of the state led

to a "disaster waiting to happen" as termed by certain environmentalists The environmental experts reported that the

tunnels built and blasts undertaken for the 70 hydro electric projects contributed to the ecological imbalance in the

state, with flows of river water restricted and the streamside development activity contributing to a higher number of

landslides and more flooding.

More than 5700 lost their lives and a great many more were displaced. This is Indias largest natural disaster since the

2004 Tsunami. Destruction of bridges and roads left about 100,000 pilgrims and tourists trapped in the valleys leading

to three of the four Hindu Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The holy Kedarnath itself was engulfed by the floods and

landslides and many pilgrims lost their lives.

The Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, and paramilitary troops evacuated more than 110,000 people from the flood

ravaged area. Their bravery lead to the largest civilian evacuation in Human history and these gallant saviours lost

some of their own.

The WPC and several of its members contributed to flood relief efforts and money was distributed through the Rama-

krishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha, both at the forefront of flood relief activity. We hope that this con-

tributes in some way to the massive rehabilitation work that is underway at Uttarkhand.

We have enclosed a letter of thanks from the latter.

Shiladitya Sinha

Magic on Acrylic

Basudeb Pal Majumdar is an artist and wild life photographer of increasing re-pute. He held his first solo exhibition at Academy of Fine arts, Kolkata in 1995. He has

sometimes been hailed as an Indian Audobon and has created large murals for the In-

dian Museum, Kolkata, Regional Museum of Natural History, Bhubaneswar, Tripura

State Museum, Meghalaya State Museum in Shillong and many more. These are based

on Natural History and Anthropology. His Nature & Wildlife photography was first dis-

played in a solo show titled Wildlife of India, a Tangible National Heritage sponsored

by the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), held at Lalit Kala

Academy, Bhubaneswar in 2008. His latest solo show of paintings at Kolkata titled

Destiny reflected the philosophy of life. He has received the Academy Award in 1995

from All India Fine Art Exhibition and the AIFACS Scholarship Award in 1996 and his

paintings are collected in India and abroad. He has co-authored Chilka: the Celestial

Lake and more recently, Bhitarkanika, the Mesmerizing Mangrove both of which

display his artistic skills and love of nature.

-

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The author has also kindly donated proceeds from her book to WPC for charitable use.

: - Dr Ranjit Sinha-Ray

, :

We must have a class of persons, Indians in colour and

blood, but English in tastes, in opinions, in morals, and in

intellect...who may be interpreters between us and the

millions we govern.

-

:

Here is the same India whose soil has been trodden by

the feet of the greatest sages that ever lived. Here first

arose the doctrines of the immortality of the soul, the

existence of a supervising God, an immanent God in nature

and in man ... We are the children of such a country.

: The greatest national sin is the

neglect of the masses, and that is one of the causes of

our downfall. No amount of politics would be of any avail

until the masses in India are once more well educated,

well fed, and well cared for.

,

-

: .Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible

descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful

Earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched

it often and often with human blood, destroyed civiliza-

tion, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been

for these horrible demons, human society would be far

more advanced than it is now.

- ,

,

-

,

Discovery of India :: He kept

away from politics and disapproved of the politicians of his

day. But again and again he laid stress on the necessity for

liberty and equality and the raising of the masses.

:

The only hope of India is from the masses. The upper

classes are physically and morally dead.

,

: I am a

socialist not because I think it is a perfect system, but

half a loaf is better than no bread. The other system has

been tried and found wanting

, ,

: Kick out the priests who are always against

progress, because they would never mend, their hearts

would never become big. They are the offspring of centu-

ries of superstition and tyranny. Root out priest-craft

first. ,

,

, , , -

: Except in the religious ideology brought

by Muhammad, I do not see this aspect effectively and

practically implemented and well entrenched. It is my hum-

ble assertion that, though Hindu Vedic philosophies are

immensely beautiful, without the day-today practical appli-

cations and approaches of Islam, they (Vedic principles)

may not adequately serve the humanity.

-

, , ,

,

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(Abraham Lincoln)

: Government of the people, by the peo-

ple, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.

Failed Democracy

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Globalisation Free market economy

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White Tiger

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DURGA PUJA IN 1990S AND NOWDr Sandip Raha

This year we celebrate the 40th Year of Sarbojanin Durga Puja in Wales, our Ruby Anniversary.

I joined the Wales Puja Committee formally in 1990, although I had often attended the Durga Puja in during 1980s

when it was held in 28, The Parade. In those days, Durga Puja was celebrated with a Chal Chitra image brought from

Kolkata and subsequently, a five piece Durga Image was made by Mr Kamal Ghatak (in his garage in Pentwyn, Cardiff)

was used till 1989. In 1990, our first Kumartuli Protima arrived in the St. Davids Hospital Community Hall, Cardiff on

Sashthi day from Southampton (shipped from Kolkata). Between 1991 and 1993, we moved twice and the 1992- 1993

Puja was held in what was then the Empire Swimming pool hall (now demolished for Millennium stadium). And then we

were back to the Parade Main Hall in 1994.

As far I can remember, around 100-150 people joined us for the Durga Puja in those days. Some of the cooking was

done on the premises and some, brought from members homes. Our Durga Puja budget then was around 3000.

Our First Visarjan took place in 1992 when we immersed Mr Kamal Ghataks Cardiff made image in the sea just outside

Cardiff Bay near Penarth (this was the first such immersion in UK). In 2004, we held a further immersion ceremony by

hiring a tugboat from Penarth marina, sailing past the Cardiff barrage and there, immersing our first Kumartuli Image

(from 1990).

In 1995, we moved to the Penyrheol Community centre in Caerphilly, the home of the WPC Pujas today. We have now

been at Penyrheol for 18 years.

We made our first Durga Image in Cardiff in the year 2002 in the Central library, Cardiff. The present idol was cre-

ated in 2009 in the National History Museum of Wales, St. Fagans.

Our current retired or senior members were the young energetic force of WPC twenty years ago just as a group of new

members are now taking WPC forward. I am confident that in the next 15 years when many of our current senior mem-

bers may not be able to actively participate or be around, this new group (who will be senior experienced members then)

will make sure that another young batch of members take WPC forward.

Its vitally important that we keep the values, traditions and comradeship as well as the welcoming feel towards anyone

who comes to our festivals and support us even from a distance.

Chal Chitra Image in 1975-1985

Souvenir design: Shiladitya Sinha Printed by: KK Solutions