Kolkata : Durga Puja, the heartbeat of Bengal’s cultural identity, is more than just a festival – it is a grand celebration of collective creativity, artistry, and community spirit. In recognition of this ethos, the Sharad Srijoni Samman continues its journey of honouring excellence in Puja creativity, while joining hands with Khushee – A Helping Hand, a movement dedicated to nurturing underprivileged lives and empowering India’s youth.
Sharad Srijoni Samman: Honouring Creative Excellence
Instituted in 2013, Sharad Srijoni Samman has celebrated outstanding contributions to Durga Puja artistry – from intricately designed pandals and idols to impactful social messaging and cultural innovation. Initially recognising excellence across five categories—Artwork, Message, Concept, Social Message, and Overall Excellence—the honour has now expanded to include two new distinctions:
- Sharad Srijoni Chitralekhan Shilpi (Graphic Designer Award) – for excellence in Puja publicity design.
- Sharad Srijoni Special Jury Award – for timeless devotion and artistry in Durga Puja.
For the very first time, the honour is also open to residential complexes, giving housing society Pujas a platform to showcase their creativity and community engagement. By celebrating tradition alongside innovation, Sharad Srijoni Samman continues to be a true tribute to the artistry and devotion that define Durga Puja.
Khushee: A Movement to Build Youth, Build India
Complementing this celebration of creativity is Khushee, a voluntary movement initiated by India Greens Reality Pvt. Ltd., dedicated to uplifting underprivileged communities through education, cultural engagement, and environmental action.
From providing disaster relief in Uttarakhand to extending support during the COVID-19 lockdown, Khushee has been at the forefront of social responsibility. Its notable campaign, “Amaar Bangla Aabar Sobuj Hok”, planted nearly 50,000 trees and saplings across Kolkata after Cyclone Amphan, helping restore ecological balance and greenery to the city.
This year, Khushee proudly launches a new initiative – “Unmesh” – aimed at identifying promising young talent in education, sports, culture, and other skills, and supporting them with economic, emotional, and medical assistance until they achieve self-reliance.
Celebrating Art, Culture and Compassion Together
The confluence of Sharad Srijoni Samman and Khushee reflects the dual spirit of Durga Puja – where creativity uplifts communities and compassion builds a stronger future. Together, these initiatives reaffirm the transformative power of tradition, innovation, and social responsibility in shaping a brighter tomorrow.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, partners, and well-wishers whose support makes this celebration of art and humanity possible. With continued collaboration, we look forward to making this journey even more impactful in the years ahead.
