Make Calcutta Relevant Again has announced the second edition of Onyo Pujo – A Durga Pujo with a Difference, a unique initiative that blends the rich traditions of Bengal’s grandest festival with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and cultural consciousness. Conceived as a student-led endeavor, Onyo Pujo aims to inspire the youth to engage with their cultural heritage through an environmentally responsible and creative lens.
The ceremonial Khuti Pujo of Onyo Pujo marked the official start of preparations, setting the tone for this year’s theme: Naryal Katha, and introducing its mascot, Naru Da. This theme seeks to highlight the importance of environmental responsibility and contemporary creativity in cultural celebrations.
The launch event was attended by several notable personalities, including Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury, Co-Chairperson of Techno India Group; actor Mr. Neel Bhattacharya; Ms. Sujata Chatterjee, Founder & MD of Twirl.store; Ms. Pauline Laravoire, Founder of the rebalance institute and Sustainability Director at Techno India Group; and Mr. Meghdut Roychowdhury, Founder of Make Calcutta Relevant Again and Chief Innovation Officer & Executive Director of Techno India Group.
This year’s pandal will be a striking example of sustainable craftsmanship, exclusively constructed using coconut and its by-products, such as coconut ropes, shavings, charcoal, and husk. This innovative design directly embodies the “Naryal Katha” theme. The vision will be brought to life through a collaborative effort with students from Techno India Group, who will play a pivotal role in the pandal’s design and construction, showcasing their creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication to sustainability. This hands-on approach aims to create a visual representation of regeneration and innovation.
Mr. Meghdut Roychowdhury emphasized the initiative’s core mission, stating, “Onyo Pujo is about reimagining our age-old traditions in a way that resonates with today’s youth and tomorrow’s environment. It was time we aligned our heritage with the urgent call for sustainability. I believe this initiative will pave the way for a more responsible and innovative future.”
Ms. Pauline Laravoire highlighted the significant role of the younger generation, remarking, “This project stands as a testament to the potential of our young generation. They took ownership of their future by weaving sustainability into cultural expressions like Durga Puja. Onyo Pujo is an embodiment of the innovation that can emerge when tradition and sustainability intersect.”
While observing all traditional rituals and customs with reverence, the Khuti Pujo of Onyo Pujo has showed us its deeper purpose: to symbolize change and progress that honors the past while paving the way for a greener, more thoughtful future.