The vibrant and customary fervor of Saraswati Puja in Kolkata's educational institutions was notably subdued this Friday, as numerous teachers found themselves diverted by official responsibilities related to the SIR (Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls) exercise and BLO (Booth Level Officer) duties. This annual celebration, typically marked by enthusiastic participation from educators and students alike, faced unprecedented challenges due to these external commitments.
Impact on School Celebrations and Teacher Participation
Many teachers, who traditionally play a pivotal role in orchestrating Saraswati Puja events within their schools, were compelled to abstain from this year's festivities. Their absence was primarily attributed to the demands of SIR hearings and BLO assignments, which required their attention and presence elsewhere. Consequently, the usual grandeur and meticulous preparations associated with the puja were significantly scaled back across various institutions.
School-Specific Challenges and Adjustments
At Bhawanipur Mitra Institution, Headmaster Raja Dey highlighted the dual obstacles faced by the school. "This year, we encountered considerable difficulties in puja preparations as the ground floor was occupied due to SIR hearings. Additionally, a substantial number of our teachers are engaged in BLO duties. Despite these setbacks, our students demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and shouldered the majority of the preparation responsibilities," he explained.
Metropolitan Institution's Bowbazar branch experienced its own set of constraints, operating with only three teachers, including the headmaster. This limited staffing necessitated a reduction in the scale of celebrations and even led to the omission of the traditional puja-special lunch. Headmaster Kalidas Haldar remarked, "With merely three teachers remaining at the school, we managed to conduct as much preparation as possible. This marks the first instance where the Saraswati Puja lunch has been skipped, and we are uncertain about future arrangements, especially with board exams approaching."
Personal Accounts from Affected Educators
Arup Mondal, the assistant headmaster of Tirthapati Institution at Deshapriya Park, expressed his regret at being unable to contribute to this year's celebrations. "In contrast to previous years, I had to miss the Saraswati Puja preparations at school since my regular duties took a backseat after being appointed as a BLO for the SIR exercise. It is disheartening that I could not assist with the festivities this year," he shared.
Paromita Roy, a teacher at a government-sponsored primary school in north Kolkata, echoed similar sentiments. "Over the past couple of weeks, my responsibilities involved serving hearing notices at doorsteps and accompanying electors during hearings, which left me with no time to oversee puja arrangements at my school," she stated.
Sudipta Modok, another educator, faced a unique situation as she participated in the puja preparations for the first time as a visitor rather than an organizer. "Since today's hearing was off, I visited the school, but it was bittersweet to see my colleagues and students managing everything independently. I felt profound sorrow for not being able to contribute as I have in the past," she added.
Broader Implications and Logistical Hurdles
The scaling down of Saraswati Puja celebrations was further compounded by the occupation of several school premises for ongoing hearing processes. Notably, almost all hearing centers in Kolkata were closed for the puja on Friday, indicating the widespread impact of these administrative duties on traditional cultural events. This confluence of factors underscores the challenges faced by educational institutions in balancing academic, cultural, and external obligations, particularly during significant festivals.
