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A story of camaraderie inspired by a true event around me
This is an incident that occurred during an Indian festival — Durga Puja in some neighborhood of Kolkata — the state capital of an Indian state, West Bengal. For Indians, especially Bengalis, Durga Puja has similar significance as Christmas has for Americans. Durga Puja is celebrated during months of October based on a lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated during a period of ten days with a number of rituals. Local artists create sculpture of Goddess Durga and decorate them with a mix of traditional and modern design.
I was sensing festivity in the air. Yes, October had arrived and this ended the longest wait for Bengalis. People were already on the streets, in markets, stores, and shopping malls and it was the last phase of Puja Shopping. Mahalaya was after two days from today and ten days thereafter, Vijaydashmi. Soon corners of streets would be crowded with spectators trying to make their way to see the best decoration of Goddess Durga.
As usual, around 9’o clock I reached Dinu Kaka’s tea stall for the last tea of the day. A dim light was radiating from a tiny light bulb plugged on the loosely hanged electric board. Electric wires were in dilapidated condition. I took a seat on the wooden bench that was arranged in parallel with the southern wall of the stall. I adjusted myself…
