Dimapur, October 19 (MExN): The Hindu Seva Samiti Dimapur (HSSD) today appealed various Puja committees to abide with certain rules and guidelines as they celebrate the upcoming Durga Puja, the auspicious festival of victory of goodness over evil, Among others, it requested the respective Puja committee to perform the Pujas in a wholesome religious Hindu Spirit with good discipline and the decorum.
The respective Puja pandal should be erected keeping in view that the public thoroughfare are not disturbed and use eco-friendly materials and discourage littering and pollutants, it said.
The Samiti also urged to Puja committees to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) and use eco-friendly idols as well as straw structure idols/pandals.
Avoid plaster of Paris (PoP) as it contains non-biodegradable chemicals and ensure environment-friendly, natural materials and organic colours to avoid impact on environment, it advised.
In the Puja pandals, only devotional songs and music should be played while playing of culturally relevant drums, cymbals and conchs are encouraged, it said.
However, the HSSD discouraged use of loudspeakers in the pandals near hospitals, nursing homes, and old-age homes.
Any use of loudspeakers should be within the permissible limit and must be discontinued after 9PM, it added.
The Puja committees were further requested to use only Diyas/Deepaks (Oil Lamps) in their pandals and mandirs as they are eco-friendly and avoid use of candles, made of chemicals.
The Samiti also urged respective committee to keep strict vigil to prevent and ban the use and consumption of alcohol and any illegal substances and to immediately inform any such activities to district authority.
It further called for strict vigilance of any unclaimed bags, items etc of suspicious nature and said that any such items should be immediately reported to the concerned police station to avoid any untoward incidents.
The HSSD further said that there will be shall be ‘no procession’ on Vijaya Dashmi this year and the trucks carrying the idols were informed to assemble at the Hindu Immersion Ghat by 9AM, where tokens will be issued on first-come, first-served basis.
All the Puja committees will be given 15 cards for idol immersion to be permitted inside the Ghat and are requested to take proper care of their idols till the immersion and cooperate with the volunteers, it added.
The committees are further informed not to bring any type of materials which may cause river pollution and strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the NPCB and keep Dhansiri River free from pollution.
The HSSD also urged all the Puja committees to sensitise their respective members to avoid and prevent such acts which may hurt the religious sentiments and maintain harmony and peace.
“Any misconduct/misbehaviours/unruliness/disobedience or any party/member being found disturbing the harmony and peace shall not be tolerated under any circumstances and they shall be strictly dealt,” it cautioned.
A press release from HSSD President Sudip Narayan Dutta further urged the various Puja committees to give full cooperation with the District Administration, Police, Municipal Council, Council Members and Samiti to ensure a smooth and joyous conduct the festival.
