Kolkata: In a paradigm shift that signals a change in political patronage, several community pujas in Kolkata and its outskirts, long favoured by Trinamool ministers and regulars on the state’s award list, have been dropped from the Devi Durga Samman Awards 2026, the first such honours announced by the BJP-led govt.
Suruchi Sangha in New Alipore that was patronised by former Trinamool minister Aroop Biswas, Chetla Agrani by Firhad Hakim, Ekdalia Evergreen by Subrata Mukherjee (died in 2021), Sreebhumi Sporting Club by Sujit Bose, Hindustan Club at Gariahat by Chandrima Bhattacharya and Tridhara Sammilani by MLA Debasish Kumar are the ones that are missing from the award list this year. A total of 23 pujas in the city made it to the awards list in seven categories, which was announced by minister of state for the information and cultural affairs department Purnima Chakraborty, Rudranil Ghosh and others on Friday. The Serar Sera pujas will receive Rs 1 lakh each while all other award winners will receive Rs 50,000 each. CM Suvendu Adhikari will hand over the awards at the Bijaya Sammelani event to be held at Milan Mela on Oct 26.
Because we were not awarded,” said Sabyasachi Chowdhury of Chetla Agrani, there is no question of feeling slighted or insulted simply.
Rudranil Ghosh , who is the chairman of the information and cultural affairs standing committee in the state assembly, said, “Suruchi hoyto manuser ruchi hariye pheleche (Suruchi, may be, is not attracting people in the same way as earlier). It belongs to the people now, not to one person,” said Kanak Debnath of Sreebhumi Sporting. Sourav Sikder of Suruchi Sangha said: “Rather than the established ones, newcomers deserve to be recognized. Sabyasachi Chowdhury of Chetla Agrani said: “They (the judges) did what they considered appropriate. Navin Mishra of Allen Park said, “We are extremely excited with the recognition in our debut year itself.
“For years, our puja remained under the dominance of a single individual and his family. This time, it has truly become a community festival where everyone can come together to offer anjali and organize the bhog prasad. The prominent, massive pujas consistently win numerous accolades and will continue to do so in the future, but encouraging fresh talents should always be the real goal. So, in my view, the evaluation committee made the right judgment.