After rolling out the SOP in 24 puja pandals on pilot foundation in Kolkata this yr, the UNESCO, in collaboration with the state authorities, plans to implement it in 300 pandals subsequent yr.
Curtis, Director of UNESCO South Asia Regional Workplace & UNESCO Consultant to Bhutan, India, Maldives & Sri Lanka, mentioned, “After rolling out in 24 puja pandals on pilot foundation this yr, the UNESCO, in collaboration state authorities, has the ambition to roll out in 300 pandals subsequent yr. We have now mentioned with the Bengal authorities on this. Hopefully, it is going to be set as pointers throughout the nation for all cultural festivals.”
The Accessibility SOP will assist make Durga Puja extra accessible for senior residents, individuals with incapacity and pregnant girls and youngsters. UNESCO, in collaboration with IIT-Kharagpur, West Bengal authorities and varied organizations engaged on individuals with incapacity, has developed and launched a complete guideline for Accessibility in Durga pujas in Bengal.
“The UN in India, with UNESCO being a part of UN household, in partnership with West Bengal authorities, IIT-KGP and organizations engaged on individuals with disabilities, has developed these complete pointers, in order that individuals with disabilities usually are not solely included and consulted and however they're lively companions in designing it,” Curtis mentioned whereas speaking concerning the SOP.
“It's an SOP to handle Accessibility on the Durga pujas and Cultural festivals at giant. The SOPs are sensible measures on six infrastructure, communication data, emergency preparedness, security, coaching volunteers, amongst others,” Curtis mentioned. “We pledge to make Durga Puja extra inclusive.”Not solely individuals with disabilities however aged individuals, pregnant girls may also come underneath its purview.The Accessibility Programme SOP was launched at Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha yesterday.
The UN in India continues to supply assist with its technical assist, capability constructing and advocacy, he mentioned.
“What makes the Durga Puja competition actually particular is its energy to unite individuals and transcends boundaries and the “sarbojanin” spirit that outlined group Durga pujas since 1926. For the final 100 years, from the personal household celebrations to the general public celebrations that engulfs the entire metropolis,” he identified.
Referring to the UN Conference of the Rights of Individuals with Incapacity to take part in cultural life on an equal footing as others, Curtis advocated entry for all. massArt can also be partnering UNESCO on this venture. The rules goal to make sure inclusive participation for individuals with disabilities, senior residents, pregnant girls and youngsters.
Durga Puja was inscribed on UNESCO's Consultant Checklist of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021.
“Durgapuja artwork is the heartline of Bengal's artistic economic system,” Dhrubojyoti Suvo Bose, secretary of Massart mentioned.
The massArt preview present 2025 will proceed from September 18-22,remodeling Kolkata's Durga Puja into a world Artwork competition. The preview present is visited by worldwide audiences.
Dr. Haimanti Banerji, Professor, Division of Structure and Regional Planning & Deputy Staff Chief-Centre of Excellence in City Planning and Design, IIT Kharagpur, was instrumental in designing the SOP.
“Durga puja has grow to be a worldwide competition. The entire world is celebrating the Durga Puja with us. Although it's a spiritual competition, it has grow to be a cultural fest,” Kolkata Mayor and PWD minister Firhad Hakim mentioned, who was additionally current on the launch of the SOP.
Indranil Sen, State Tourism Minister, “We're unique in our cultural actions however inclusive about caste and creed. In Bengal, we must always keep collectively in concord.” Consul Normal of US Consulate Normal-Kolkata Kathy Giles-Diaz, West Bengal Principal Secretary-(Info & Tradition division) Santanu Basu had been additionally current on the programme, Aarti Thakur, Incapacity Rights Officer, United Nations-Delhi had been current on the SOP launch programme.
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