Green pandal stands out with climate change theme

8220;This is undoubtedly the biggest Puja in Salt Lake ever. Every year we try to do something new,8221; said Puja committee president Hironmoy Roy Chowdhury.

Last year, the FD Block Puja was in news after Harry Potter publishers Bloomsbury sued the decorators for copyright violations under the IPR regulations.

Not taking any chances this year, the organisers have selected a theme depicting effect of pollution and deforestation on the earth.

8220;While selecting the theme, we had ideas like the Beijing Olympics and Tata8217;s Nano car. But there were several issues that restricted us from going ahead with these themes,8221; said S Biswas, general secretary of the Puja committee.

More than 65 artists have constructed a towering pandal which is nearly 120 feet high.

8220;The pandal is in the shape of a globe. The southern hemisphere represents the earth, but in the northern hemisphere, we have constructed tall factories and buildings depicting a jungle of concrete. We will also construct mountains depicting melting of glaciers,8221; designer Partha Ghosh said. Inside the pandal are depicted jungles and animals which are important for human existence.

8220;Close to the floor of the pandal, we will paint bright red flames depicting effect of global warming on the earth,8221; said Ghosh.

The organisers have stuck to the theme while selecting construction material of the pandal as well as the idol of goddess Durga.

8220;The pratima idol will be painted with lead-free paint. In fact, the paint used for decorating the pandal is also lead-free,8221; Biswas said.

In view of the recent terrorist attacks in major cities across the country, the organisers have adopted various safety measures to tackle any untoward incident. In consultation with the police, three close circuit cameras have been installed at the pandal.