— Amit Bhattacharjee

Namaskar All

Every year during “আশ্বিন”, as the exuberant rhythms of the dhaak reverberates, “কাশ ফুল” sways gently with the breeze and the scent of “শিউলি” blossoms permeates the air, we join in the celebration of Durga Puja—a festival that goes beyond tradition and becomes a vibrant expression of joy, unity, and cultural pride for Bengalis worldwide.

It is with profound warmth and gratitude that I welcome you to this year’s Durga Puja. This year, we set our festive spirit ablaze with a dazzling “Mahisasur Mardini” performance at our Annual Cultural Night 2025. বাংলার দুর্গাপূজা is not merely a religious ritual; but a homecoming of “বাঙালি হৃদয়”, a living masterpiece painted with devotion, artistic brilliance and the soul of our BAWA community. Each year, we come together— from all generations, new faces and respected regulars— to pay homage to “মা দূর্গা” and the values she embodies: strength, compassion and the triumph of good over evil.

“Oikyotaan” is a reflection of our community spirit, where you will find hidden gems in stories, poems, musings and memories from our shared journey. It showcases the creativity and emotions of our members. A huge thank you to all contributors for adorning this year’s celebration with your creative pearls!

I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to our volunteers, sponsors, performers and supporters whose tireless efforts, unrelenting dedication and generosity makes this event possible. Your commitment continues to inspire all of us year after year. As we look ahead to Bijoya Dashomi and beyond, may the blessings of মা দূর্গা” guide us with courage, peace, empathy and kindness. This festive magic doesn’t pause – it flows gracefully into Bijoya Mela, culminating in a joyful embrace of belonging, where laughter, love and harmony blooms once more within our cherished BAWA family. Let us continue to build a community that celebrates diversity, fosters inclusion, and uplifts every individual with open arms and epitomizes the essence of “বাঙালিয়ানা”. May this “শারদোৎসব” 2025 bring warmth and light to you and your loved ones, and usher in a year of blessings and success.